The White Lotus Season 3 Sparks Tourism Boom in Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand — The upcoming third season of HBO‘s hit series *The White Lotus* is already making waves in Thailand, where the show is set to film. Searches for the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, the primary filming location, have surged by 40 percent on Hotels.com, according to recent data. The $1,700-per-night resort is expected to draw fans eager to experience the show’s glamorous setting firsthand.

“We’re waiting for Thailand to go crazy because everyone knows as soon as *White Lotus* comes out, you won’t be able to get in,” Misty Belles, a spokeswoman for luxury travel network Virtuoso, told Bloomberg in June. The show’s influence on tourism is part of a growing trend known as “set-jetting,” where travelers plan trips to destinations featured in popular TV shows or movies.

The series, created by Mike White, has a history of boosting tourism in its filming locations. Ahead of season two, which was set in Sicily, searches for the San Domenico Palace in Taormina spiked by 300 percent, and the resort was fully booked for six months. This time, the show will explore themes of death, Eastern religion, and spirituality, set against the backdrop of Thailand’s lush landscapes.

Season three will feature a star-studded cast, including Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Walton Goggins, and Natasha Rothwell, who reprises her role as Belinda Lindsey from season one. Rothwell’s character, a spa manager, will be seen in Thailand as part of an exchange program to learn about wellness practices at the resort.

“She’s going to be a guest for the first time, even though she’s taking classes and it’s a work trip,” Rothwell told *Entertainment Weekly*. “We get to see her really dip her toe in the other side of life of the upstairs/downstairs of *White Lotus*.”

The show’s impact extends beyond tourism. Hotels and travel operators are capitalizing on the trend by offering curated experiences inspired by TV and movie settings. For example, Black Tomato now offers packages based on *Bridgerton*, and the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath provides Regency-era tours of filming locales.

*The White Lotus* season three is set to premiere on HBO and Max on February 16, 2025, at 9 p.m. Fans can expect a mix of satire, humor, and drama as the show delves into its new themes and settings.