The White Lotus Is Already Driving a Travel Boom in Thailand
It’s not just Four Seasons resorts that are expecting an influx of visitors inspired by the HBO smash hit—tourism officials are predicting 20% growth.
The action moves from Sicily to Thailand this season on The White Lotus.
Photographer: Fabio Lovino/HBOThe first two seasons of The White Lotus didn’t just put the spotlight on Hawaii and Sicily, they transformed the local Four Seasons outposts into pop culture icons and cemented the destinations more broadly as bastions of luxury travel. Now, it’s Thailand’s turn. Ahead of the HBO show’s Season 3 premiere on Feb. 16, Thai tourism authorities, hoteliers and travel agents are readying for a surge in visitors.
“I believe there was more than a 20% increase in visitors in Hawaii and Sicily, based on Seasons 1 and 2,” says Chompu Marusachot, director of the Thailand Tourism Authority’s New York office. “I can only hope that the momentum will be the same from Thailand.”