The White Lotus Effect: How Filming Locations Boost Global Tourism
HBO’s The White Lotus has captivated audiences not only with its biting social satire and murder mystery intrigue but also with its breathtaking filming locations. Each season, set in a different luxury resort, has sparked a global travel phenomenon, with fans eager to experience the same opulence depicted on screen. From Hawaii to Sicily and now Thailand, the show’s influence on tourism is undeniable.
Related: The Cast of The White Lotus
Season 1: Maui, Hawaii – The Original White Lotus Boom
The first season, which aired in 2021, was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This beachfront paradise set the tone for the series, immersing viewers in the stunning landscapes of Hawaii while telling a darkly comedic story of privilege and power dynamics.
Following the show’s success, the resort saw a 425% increase in website visits and a 386% rise in availability searches. Fans flocked to the Hawaiian location, eager to stay at the real-life White Lotus, proving the show’s immediate impact on tourism.
Related: The Best TV Shows of 2025 (So Far)
Season 2: Taormina, Sicily – A Mediterranean Dream
For its second season, The White Lotus transported audiences to the stunning San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina, Sicily. The hotel, with its dramatic cliffside views of the Ionian Sea, quickly became a must-visit destination.
After the season aired, the hotel was fully booked for six months, with many guests specifically citing The White Lotus as their reason for visiting. Sicily, long a beloved destination, saw a new wave of interest, with increased flight bookings and tourism revenue.
Season 3: Thailand – The Next Travel Hotspot
With the announcement that season three would be set in Thailand, travel interest in the country soared. Booking platforms saw an immediate surge in searches, with airlines like Finnair adding extra flights to Phuket. The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, one of the primary filming locations, reported a 40% spike in booking interest.
Thailand’s tourism industry, already thriving, is poised to benefit even further from the White Lotus effect, as fans eagerly anticipate the show’s return and plan their own luxury escapes.
The Power of TV Tourism
The White Lotus isn’t the first show to shape travel trends. The Lord of the Rings transformed New Zealand into a top destination, while Game of Thrones put Croatia and Northern Ireland on the map for many travelers. More recently, Emily in Paris has driven tourism to France, despite mixed reviews.
The rise of streaming services has made the impact of TV tourism even more powerful. Research shows that nine in ten visitors to the UK are influenced by film and TV, a dramatic increase from past decades. British Airways executives even track Netflix trends to predict travel surges.
What’s Next for The White Lotus Locations?
With The White Lotus expanding its reach, destinations featured in future seasons could see massive tourism booms. Whether it’s an opulent resort in Bali, a hidden gem in Sri Lanka, or another exotic location, fans are sure to follow wherever the show takes them next.
For now, Thailand is in the spotlight, with luxury travelers already making plans to experience their own slice of The White Lotus lifestyle—minus the murder, of course.
