How is HBO's "White Lotus" season 3 impacting tourism in Thailand? January saw a 312-percent spike in bookings to Thailand compared to the same period last year. A study by Travel Republic indicates a 412% increase in searches for Thailand as a vacation destination.
Koh Samui, one of the primary filming locations, saw a 115% year-over-year increase in searches for vacation rentals, alongside a 40% increase in searches on Hotels.com. Jasjit Assi, general manager of the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, shared some advice with Elle for potential visitors: "Book now. Secure your room, or you might miss the window."
Creator Mike White described the new season as "a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality."
Filming for the third season included scenes shot in Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui. According to the Financial Times, the principal location is the Bill Bensley-designed Four Seasons Koh Samui, a five-star resort known for its private villas, beaches, and views of the Gulf of Thailand. Other locations include the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, and Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort.
The cast for this season features an ensemble. Jason Isaacs, known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" films, plays the role of a financier on the verge of a nervous breakdown, patriarch of the Ratcliff family, a dysfunctional American family. Parker Posey portrays his wife, a woman living in a cloud of antidepressants. Their children are played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, and Sarah Catherine Hook.
Additional cast members include Walton Goggins from "Fallout," Aimee Lou Wood, and Lalisa Manoban, who plays Mook, a wellness guru and love interest of guard Gaitok, portrayed by Tayme Thapthimthong.
Wood reflected on the unique experience of filming in Thailand. "You become a White Lotus guest, you actually do," she said, according to Elle, adding that living and working in a hotel blurred the lines between reality and fiction.
The influence of "The White Lotus" on tourism is not unprecedented. Both Maui and Taormina experienced a tourist boom due to the series. According to La Nación, much like its predecessors, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is anticipated to become a travel hotspot following the show's release.
According to location manager Sam Hutchins, Thailand was chosen after considering as many as ten Asian countries. "Thailand ticked all the boxes for 'The White Lotus', with world-class crews and equipment in place, generous tax rebates, and a cultural mix of native spirituality and imported licentiousness," he said, according to the Financial Times.
The plot unfolds against the Thai coastline, providing a backdrop for the show's signature mix of extravagance and brewing drama.
Anantara resorts featured in the series have taken the opportunity to offer packages for fans wanting to follow in the footsteps of "The White Lotus" Season 3. According to Thai Rath, there is a package called "The Lotus Awakening Escape," which includes a four-night stay at the filming locations in Phuket or Koh Samui.
As anticipation builds, the latest season already earned rave reviews from critics. Elle reports that it continues White's signature blend of drama, satire, and inevitable mystery.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq