Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Mr. Victor Banks, says a ten-week Reality Show, now in the course of planning in Anguilla, will be of much marketing benefit to the island.
Speaking to media representatives during the Government’s press conference on Monday, Mr. Banks said: “A number of you, who have been travelling around the island, may have seen what appears to be a very active project taking place in the western end of the island. It is part of a television serial show that is being produced in Anguilla.
“The production phase will start on the 22nd of February and run on towards the end of March. It will involve some 150 persons coming to the island – and also a number of Anguillians being employed directly – as well as a number of businesses being involved, and a lot of that is already taking place as we speak.
They are located at their headquarters down at the Cutler Plaza business place in West End, and they have already employed a number of Anguillians at that enterprise. It is a Reality Show that will be running for ten weeks. All ten sequels will be produced and filmed in Anguilla. It will involve a number of tourism properties. They will also use the opportunity to do some promotion of this jurisdiction as Anguilla will be mentioned in the production generally. They will take the time, in terms of the promos for the show, to mention this destination – Anguillla – as well as some of the important points on the island to give invaluable public relations to Anguilla as the show continues.
“It is being produced by MGM [Studios] (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) and it is a part of the Fox Production. The entire team will be on the island by the end of this week, but already a lot of activities are taking place. We are looking forward to this as an opportunity for now and in the future. They have already rented homes and other facilities, are making use of all the catering services in Anguilla – the stores, car rentals, apartments. The contractors in the various trades also have a chance to get some business opportunities as well.”