- After the release The Odyssey, Favignana is planning a significant boost in tourism, with the island’s authorities expecting a rise in visitor numbers.
- The film’s production is scheduled to run from the end of 2024 through 2025; shooting will take place on a budget of €1–€2 million.
- The film’s producers plan to bring in tourism by introducing the island’s attractions: in particular, they expect the movie to reach an audience of more than 200 million viewers worldwide.
Italian authorities in Favignana, where nearly 3,000 people live, expect the tourism boost from the blockbuster The Odyssey. The material says that the film’s budget is estimated at more than US$264 million, which would make it the biggest debut in the country’s history.
The material also notes that The Odyssey will depict the adventures of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, and that Favignana, as the filming location, will feature in the movie. The film’s main setting is Castello di Santa Caterina, a palace that is expected to play a key role in the plot.
Local officials say the film will be shot on the island of Favignana, with Universal Pictures’ involvement making it possible to attract a larger audience and increase tourism interest. The article also mentions that the project is being developed by the producer Florio, who is described as the driving force behind the film’s production.
According to the material, the film’s plot will include a storyline set on the island, where the action takes place in the middle of the sea. It also says that the command team will film scenes on the island during the summer season, while the production schedule runs from the end of 2024 through 2025, with the project expected to create jobs for more than 500 local workers.
In addition, the material states that the production plans to spend €1 million to €2 million on the island. It also notes that the film will employ local staff, including those who work on the sets and in supporting roles.
It is also reported that the project is connected to the production of a new season of the popular TV series Inspector Montalbano, which is set in Sicily. The material adds that The Odyssey could be filmed partly in Sicily, and that the production team expects this to help promote the island to American audiences.
The article further says that Favignana’s tourism figures could increase from 3,000 to 40,000–50,000 visitors per season, depending on the film’s success. It also notes that the producers plan to bring in 200 additional jobs for local residents, though it does not specify how many of those will be filled by islanders rather than by outside specialists.
The material also states that the average number of overnight stays by tourists is expected to rise, and that the production will likely run in the summer months. Local officials say the project is expected to attract more visitors and extend the tourism season.
It is also reported that Favignana’s authorities are planning to develop infrastructure to support the increased flow of tourists. The material says that the project named after the island’s local brand, Valtur, involves the construction of a new hotel complex, Palazzotto Florio, on the island, with work expected to begin in 2027.