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A columnist in The Sun has called on Dominica’s tourism and development authorities to pursue major feature film productions as a strategy for economic growth and international marketing. The piece, published in July 2019, notes that Jamaica’s continued success in attracting major productions—including the James Bond film series—demonstrates the potential of this sector for Caribbean nations.
The opinion writer highlights that the Dominican Republic currently offers a 25 percent transferable tax credit on qualifying local spending (with a minimum of US $500,000), plus an 18 percent VAT and customs duties exemption on temporary imports. These incentives, the columnist argues, suggest that Caribbean governments view film production as a cost-effective investment in their economies.
Dominica’s own history with major film production provides a case study in untapped potential. During the 2005 filming of Pirates of the Caribbean, which starred Johnny Depp, the island experienced significant economic benefits including high wages, salaries, and rental income. However, the columnist notes that Dominica failed to preserve and market the film sites as tourist attractions or to maintain the institutional framework—including a Film Commission and Commissioner—that could sustain ongoing production activity.
The piece argues that a successful feature film production in Dominica could generate far-reaching benefits beyond direct film spending. Such a project could attract investment in vacation properties, tourism infrastructure, and create employment across multiple sectors while showcasing Dominican culture, music, and traditions to a global audience. The columnist suggests that Dominica’s Minister of Tourism and the Dominica Development Authority should investigate establishing competitive incentives and dedicated resources to pursue this market.
Dominica is marketed internationally as the Nature Isle due to its biodiversity and natural attractions. The island previously hosted portions of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series in 2005, which generated economic activity during production. The Dominica Development Authority has arranged several television productions that highlight the island’s eco-tourism and hiking attributes.
This opinion reflects broader Caribbean economic strategy debates about using natural assets and cultural heritage to attract foreign investment and tourism revenue. The comparison to Jamaica’s film industry success and the Dominican Republic’s tax incentive framework shows how Caribbean nations compete for the same production dollars and the spillover benefits—jobs, infrastructure investment, and global visibility—that major film projects can deliver.
Sources and attribution
- The Sun
- DR FILM INCENTIVES Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- A Taxation Guide – Dominican Republic
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