‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Filming Locations Swarmed by Tourists

HBO’s hit anthology satire The White Lotus is currently airing its third season, sending fans across the world abuzz with theories about the show’s complex characters and central murder mystery. Each season of the dark comedy, which aims to tackle the implications of tourism and class disparity, is set at a different hotel from the titular resort chain.

However, despite the overt anti-tourism messaging of The White Lotus, the locations at which the ever-popular show was shot are reporting more tourism than ever in what is now being dubbed “The White Lotus effect.” This phenomenon predominantly affects Four Seasons Resorts in Hawaii and Sicily, the settings for Seasons 1 and 2 of The White Lotus, respectively. The current season, which is based in Thailand, is satirizing the Western commodification of spirituality. Many are increasingly concerned that the cultural prevalence of The White Lotus will create over-tourism in Thailand, having an ironic and potentially devastating impact.

The ‘White Lotus’ Effect

The tourism industries in Hawaii and Sicily have experienced an overwhelming influx since they were featured on The

White Lotus. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea,

the site for the first season
, saw a 425% increase in web traffic. Similarly, The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily was reportedly booked out for six months straight after The White Lotus stopped filming. In the digital age more than ever, TV shows can not only act as entertainment but are subliminal advertisements for tourism. According to a statistic from Visit Britain, 9 out of 10 visitors to the UK are influenced by what they see on film and TV. This is an unprecedented phenomenon, likely tied to the introduction of streaming.

Especially in places like Hawaii, there is an established and deeply complicated history of tourism and its associations with settler colonialism. Inherently, the dedication of Indigenous land and resources in Hawaii to the tourism industry (and to resort chains specifically) is a form of neo-colonialism. There is an existing water crisis in Hawaii, which is just one of the myriad issues that tourism exacerbates.

This is the entire subject which White Lotus Season 1 parodies.

Featuring unlikable, white, rich protagonists
who do not seem to understand just how much they are taking advantage of the locals or their customs, it ultimately punishes them for daring to stay at The White Lotus. Of course, it is only fictional, and the show makes Maui look as stunning as it is, but it is fundamentally ironic that anyone watched The White Lotus and took it as a sign to travel to Hawaii.

What About Thailand?

Before Season 3 of The White Lotus was even formally announced, tourism in Thailand saw a spike. ​​​​​​​When the season’s location was announced in 2023, the Four Seasons Koh Samui saw a 40% increase in bookings almost immediately. Finnair responded to the hubbub by increasing the number of flights they had going to Phuket. There are already developments rapidly taking place on the Thai Island of Samui, the shooting location of The White Lotus Season 3, seemingly in

response to interest drawn by the show.

Locals and researchers have expressed growing concerns about the various negative environmental impacts that these developments have had on Samui thus far, including increases in waste and landslides, depletion of water resources, and the scaring away of local marine life. It is a matter of time (and the completion of the Season) for us to feel the full influence that Season 3 has on Thailand’s industry, but it is disheartening to know that they are bracing themselves in such a fashion.

The Anti-Wealth Show Cash Grab

Domestically, brands such as J. Crew and Kiehl’s have launched product partnerships with The White Lotus, which also seems counterproductive to the show’s socially reflexive commentary about wealth and excess. Something about these capitalistic collaborations feels especially sinister on top of the growing tourism concerns. ​​​​​​​It brings to mind the Squid Game reality TV show that premiered on Netflix not long after the original show’s (which was explicitly about exploiting people in competitions for money) record-breaking premiere. There is nothing more exciting than when a show that is genuinely critical, smart, and biting toward the world around us finds success. However, the second they start to make money, ​​​​​​​they seem to forget their class consciousness. It all feels rather dystopian.

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Still, even though the name “The White Lotus Effect” certainly has a ring to it, we cannot point the overtourism finger exclusively at The White Lotus. ​​​​​​​Shows like Emily in Paris and ​​​​​​​even Yellowstone have also been tied to controversial surges in tourism at their shooting locations. It is ultimately up to viewers and consumers to interrogate their choices when traveling. Are you taking into account the best interests and wishes of local communities when you travel? Have you done research about the implications of your trip? Even small reflections on the part of the individual can make a huge difference when it comes to the respectful preservation of ecosystems and cultures. If you are a true fan of The White Lotus, perhaps look deeper into its messaging before booking that next vacation.