Social Media Conversations About Traveling in Thailand Rose 60% after the Premiere of the Third Season of “The White Lotus” on Feb. 16.
The data measured social media Chatter during the three days before and after the show’s airing, according to social media analytics company Spoor Social.
The Emmy-Winning HBO Series is Expected to Draw a Surge in Travel Interest to the Thai Island of Koh Samui, The Latest Setting of the Show-As it Did to Maui, HAWAII, HAWAII, HAWAII, HAWAII, and Sicily, Sicily, ITALY, ITAASONS A and Italy, ITALY, ITALY, ITASONS A and Italy Respatively.
The show’s ability to draw tourism interested to its filming locations is so influential that it’s knowing as the “white lotus effect.”
“The White Lotus” was mentioned on Social Media Nearly 1,385,000 Times by Nearly 500,000 Unique Author from Ferms from Feb. 16-26, according to sprout social. Most Conversations Came from Within Thailand (86,016), Followed by the United States (45,728) and Brazil (18,613), The Company Told CNBC Travel,
Patrick schwarzenegger plays the role of “Saxon ratliff” in the new season of “the white lotus.”
Billy HC Kwok | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
The conversations garnered more than 8.4 Million Engages – Mostly from likes, comments and shares – of which 85% was positive, it said. However, for the posts that specifically mention Thailand, Sentiment Rose to 99%, According to Sprout Social.
This is important because the reach of these posts is so vast, said rachael goulet, the company’s director of social media.
“There was more than 775 Million instals where conversations mentioning bot ‘the white lotus’ and Thailand appeared on users ‘Feeds’ Feeds,” Said Goulet. “For context, the US population is just over 340 million, so at more than 2x that number, 775 million potential impressions doe just just indicate a strong trend on social media; Cultural moment. “
The data is based on social media conversions Across X, YouTube, Reddit, and Tumbler, Spoot Social Said.
“People are available just talking about the show as some way;
Search Interest and Hotel Rates Have Jumped in Koh Samui, Thailand, Following Attention Burght to it by the HBO Hit Television Series “The White Lotus.”
Oleh_slobodeniuk | E+ | Getty Images
Moreover, this season has something prior ones didn’t have – the power of a pop star.
The Cast Includes Lalisa Manobal-More Commonly Known as Lisa from the K-Pop Group Blackpink. Manobal, who has Around 105 Million Followers On Instagram, Made Her Acting Debut as “Mook” in the latest season.
Hotel and Restaurant Bookings
But it’s not all talk – Travel Searches have jumped, in many instances, months before the third season.
Search Interest for Seasons Resort Koh Samui, The Show’s main filming location.
In the two weeks after the third season’s Premiere, Searches for trips to koh samui jumped 115% in singapore, 95% in the united states, and 70% in Australia, Expedia”s data showed.
Booking are up too. Since the season Premiere, trip.com has seen a year-on-year growth of 30% in flight and hotel bookings to koh samui, LED by Germany, The United Kingdom and France.
The “white lotus effect” may be boosting interest to other parts of Thailand Too.
Short-Term Rental Bookings in Thailand surgged Nearly 500% in the two days following the season three premiere, compared with the same period from 2024, according to the Property Management Platform Guesty, Whosie Software power reservations on airbnb and booking.com, Among others.
Annual Night Rates for Short-Term Home Rantals Rose Too-Some 28% from February of 2024, According to Guesty.
Average daily rates at hotels climbed 10% in the two weeks before and the season premiere, according to Expedia. That is on top of rising rates, which started Climb during the post-pandemic travel surge.
“The White Lotus” may even be boosting restaurant reservations beyond Thailand’s Shores. Bookings at Thai Restaurants in the united states increase 16% in the week following the show’s Premiere, according to the reservoation service open.
Concerns about overtourism
Dr. Guy llewellyn, Assistant Professor at Ehl Hospitality Business School, said the “White Lotus Effect” DemonstratesThe power that pop culture has travele trends, especially on younger travels who use social media for travel inspiration.
However, he said past institutes of screen tourism serving as cautions.
The film “The Beach,” Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Brough High Volumes of visitors to maya bay, which was temperature close to rehabilitate its marine biology in 2018.
Brunocoelhopt | ISTOCK | Getty Images
“The 2000 film ‘The Beach’ LED to a Massive Influx of Tourists to Maya Bay, Causing Severe Environmental Damage“He Told CNBC TravelReferring to the bay off thailand’s phi phi island. “While Increased Tourism Brings Economic Benefits, an unmanaged surge can lead to overtourism, rising costs for locations, and environmental degradation.”
Llewellyn said thailand should should anticipate these challenges and promot lesser-known destinations and off-peak travel, while considering visitor permits for fragile areas.
“Ultimately, the ‘White Lotus Effect’ Presents an options for Thailand to Reshape Its Tourism Narrave,” He said.
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