Various scenes from the 25th James Bond film are being shot in various locations in Jamaica, including Kingston and parts of Ocho Rios.
Film commissioner Renee Robinson estimated that the economic impact of
the current film "will be significant for the island, with production
expenditure multiplying throughout the economy from hotel rooms to
catering, in both goods and services."
Jamaica was the home of Bond creator Ian Fleming, who wrote all his Bond novels at his Jamaica hideaway of GoldenEye, which is now a resort owned by music empresario Chris Blackwell.
And the current film is not the first time that Jamaica has been featured in a James Bond flick. The country was showcased in "Dr. No," released in 1963 and in "Live and Let Die," released 10 years later.
Both films were made near the town of Oracabessa, east of Ocho Rios on the north coast.
Actor Sean Connery landed his helicopter in "Dr. No" on the very site in Ocho Rios where the Moon Palace Jamaica now sits.
The current spy thriller, as yet untitled, is expected to be released in 2020. It will be actor Daniel Craig's last turn as the debonair 007. (The actor suffered an onsite injury and was flown off the island for X-rays and treatment, however, which could delay the film's release.)
Jamaican officials hope to leverage the island's location and its
contribution to pop culture to stimulate the production of more
blockbuster films in Jamaica, according to prime minister Andrew
Holness. "Film is one way this can be done. Having parts of the James
Bond movie shot here is a start in getting Jamaica a foothold in
developing a presence in the movie industry," Holness said.