Film Commission can attract tourism in Saint Lucia: Dr Ernest Hilaire

Dr Ernest Hilaire, Tourism and Investment Minister of Saint Lucia has expressed the urgent need for the island to have a dedicated Film Commission. The island is starting to establish itself in the global film industry, which has motivated the need to set up a dedicated body to connect the filmmakers to the authorities. The body will also help provide logistical support to the filmmakers.

The island boasts of natural scenic beauty hence attracting tourism. Making films on the island will support the promotion of Saint Lucia. This will in turn increase revenue and provide economical support for development.

Furthermore blockbuster hits like DR Dolittle (1967), Superman 2, Pirates of Carribean part 1 had earlier presented the island’s natural beauty. The success of these movies are evidences of the Saint Lucia’s potential for being a shooting spot.

Hilaire explained how a dedicated body for filming could prove to be crucial for managing a country’s marketing effort in filmography and production. There have been instances where the government was not able to provide logistics or accommodation in accordance to the ask of filmmakers. The absence of a dedicated centralized body can be blamed for it. Minister Hilaire narrated an event where there was a proposal for a movie but they could not provide ample accommodation according to the request. The demand was for 300 rooms for a total of six weeks. At the time it was not possible for them to provide it. He expressed the need for capacity in the island for it to become a muse for tourism as well as for attracting filmmakers.

Finding Love in Saint Lucia was a recent romantic production that highlighted the potential of the island as a scenic filming destination.

If promoted and used correctly, this method of promoting the island can generate a plethora of monetary gain channels for the island, contributing to its growth and development.