Jakarta, ThedailyID — The Italian island of Favignana is preparing for a surge in visitors after serving as a major filming location for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey.
Released in July 2026, the epic drama earned US$264 million worldwide during its opening weekend, marking the biggest box office debut of Nolan’s directing career.
Located about 7 kilometers off Sicily’s western coast, Favignana doubled as Ithaca, the legendary homeland of Greek hero Odysseus. The production transformed Castello di Santa Caterina into the king’s palace for the film.
Local authorities now hope the movie’s global success will deliver long-term tourism growth.
“The idea is to let visitors experience different stages of the filmmaking process and see some of the costumes and props used during production,” Favignana Mayor Giuseppe Pagoto told The Independent.
With support from Sicily’s cultural department, the island plans to open a permanent exhibition in October 2026 at the former Florio tuna factory, which served as the production team’s headquarters during filming.
Local tourism businesses also expect the film to attract more international travelers, particularly from the United States.
“We believe western Sicily will become even more attractive to tourists, especially visitors from the United States, thanks to the impact of The Odyssey,” said Giacomo Incarbona, head of the local hotel association.
The production spent several months filming on the island between late 2024 and spring 2025, employing around 500 local residents as extras and production crew.
According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), popular films can increase visitor numbers at featured destinations by 25% to 40%. Meanwhile, Future Market Insights projects the global film tourism market will reach US$157.5 billion by 2036.
