Mexico City officials said Thursday that recent filming for the upcoming James Bond movie "Spectre" was a business boon for the capital's colonial core, despite complaints over lost sales blamed on street closures.
Hotel occupancy in the historic center rose 30 percent during the filming and the number of visitors to the district was up 53 percent, the city government said in a statement.
It added that producers agreed beforehand to pay 225 businesses up to $2,500 a day in compensation for closures, and most of those had to shut down only for a few hours. Media publicity is also expected to boost business by bringing added interest in the cobblestoned quarter, it said.
"We are in position to affirm that the event not only did not hurt but rather improved commercial conditions for businesses in the center of the capital," the government statement said.
Some businesses in the historic center complained that street closures during the March 19-April 1 film shoot prevented store and restaurant employees from reaching work and also kept many customers away.
The head of the city's small business chamber said proprietors reported a 60 percent fall off in sales during the first week of filming.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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