The Southeast Asian nation is about to play host to one of the hottest shows—and tourism drivers—on TV.
When Hollywood decide to highlight a locating , a city , or even an survive restaurant or bar , you may rest assured that people will sleep with — and presently enough , they ’ll flock there .
It ’s what happened with the HBO dispatch showThe White Lotus , which , after filming in Sicily , Italy boost tourism and interest in the island and in the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace ( the hotel chosen for cinematography ) so much that people were quite literally crying to go there . AsThrillistpreviously reported , traveller were implausibly determined to attempt and experience out theirWhite Lotusfantasies IRL . “ I have seen people crying because we do n’t let them in , ” Juri Romano , bar manager at the San Domenico Palace , previously secern Thrillist . “ Like a married woman call out at her husband , ' I told you to record book in November ! ' She was really crying . ”
The ripple effect from such a successful show were felt beyond the hotel . According to Alessio Virgili , carbon monoxide gas - beginner and CEO of travel and cordial reception platformSonders & Beach , web search for Italy and Sicily went up by 50 % after the second season ofWhite Lotuswrapped in December 2022,Skiftreported .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist | Getty Images
Earlier this year , after months of conjecture by fans , HBO officially confirmedthat the next season will be set in Thailand . More specifically , shoot was scheduled to begin this calendar month in and around Koh Samui , Bangkok , and Phuket .
Much like Italy , Thailand is already a top - tier pail inclination destinationdriving thousands and grand of visitors every year , so one might wonder : Is the country expecting such a boost from theWhite Lotuseffect ? And if so , how might one tourism board in reality prepare to receive and accommodate such an influx of visitors in the month and years forwards ?
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How is TAT preparing forThe White Lotusseason3 and its impact on the tourism sector?We are presently working closely with the production squad and local coordinator to help facilitate the cinematography in Bob Hope of inspire even more visitor to Thailand and experiencing the destination shown on screenland first - hired hand .
We ’re attached to beef up Thailand ’s tourism fight to aid fire tourism growth , reflecting the regime ’s insurance that places touristry as a key mechanism for driving the Thai economy and work Thailand the preferent destination for travelers from around the world by always improving all measure , ranging from safety and security department , conveyance , and hospitality services to assure our readiness in lodge all tourists of all nationality .
consider the vast shock thatWhite Lotushad on the Italian and Sicilian touristry manufacture , did you attain out or have any communication with your Italian counterpart on what to anticipate , tourism - wise?We did n’t attain out to other NTOs that worked with the show but did incur the economic impact stats from HBO to help ease our decision to partner with them on time of year 3 .
Now that the tidings is confirmed [ and filming is reportedly afoot ] forThe White Lotusseason 3 , is Thailand already reckon a gibbousness in touristry influx?We have seen sake in Thailand , particularly in and around Koh Samui , Phuket , and Bangkok ( where time of year 3 will take place ) and are confident that all the film locations will receive a great economical impact as a result of the show being there .
Does TAT or Thailand plan to promote the show in any way — through particular campaign or promotions?As people spent so much sentence at home during the pandemic , many are now excited to merchandise places with their screens via " set - jetting , " and check out the actual - life locations they ’ve been watching and dreaming about . We utterly have plan to promote the show with the centering on meaningful and experience - ground touristry .
