Latest news with #ChompuMarusachot
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Thailand braces for surge in tourists after season 3 of 'White Lotus'
Excitement ran high in Thailand when the country was selected as the filming location for the third season of HBO's award-winning series "The White Lotus." After taking us to elite resorts in Hawaii and Sicily, this season's sharp satire on the lives of the wealthy unfolds against the backdrop of Thailand's stunning landscapes, with the island of Koh Samui taking centre stage. A luxurious Four Seasons Resort — where a night in a double room starts at around €2,000 — serves as the primary setting, with additional filming locations in Phuket and Bangkok. Tourism officials, hoteliers and tour operators have eagerly anticipated an influx of "SetJetters" - travellers who are drawn to destinations featured in their favourite films and TV shows and who use the trending mobile app of the same name. Expectations are high that Thailand will soon see a surge in visitors eager to experience White Lotus luxury first-hand following the latest season's premiere. Online enquiries skyrocket The tourism impact of the show is clear. After the first two seasons, visitor numbers to Maui and Sicily jumped by 20%, with the Four Seasons Resort Maui seeing a staggering 400% increase in booking enquiries. Chompu Marusachot, director of the New York office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), hopes for a similar boost in Thailand. Fittingly, the authority has already set up its own website for SetJetters. That surge may already be underway. According to Forbes, searches for Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok on platforms like Expedia and spiked immediately after Thailand was announced as the latest White Lotus destination. The Insider Travel Report notes particularly high interest from German travellers While Thailand's tourism industry welcomes the boom, many locals on Koh Samui are worried about mass tourism's consequences. The island, already struggling with infrastructure issues, faces persistent water shortages during the dry season, exacerbated by a surge in visitors since the pandemic. With the mainland supply proving insufficient, illegal groundwater drilling has left the island resembling "Swiss cheese," according to residents. Waste management is another challenge. Without an incineration plant, all rubbish must be transported to the mainland, yet illegal dumps continue to appear alarmingly close to luxury resorts. Traffic congestion is also worsening as more tourists rent scooters, cars and minibuses. "If you want to get to work on time, you have to leave early in the morning now," laments a German resident who has lived on the island for three years. As Thailand embraces the White Lotus effect, balancing tourism growth with sustainability will be an ongoing challenge. From hidden gem to overcrowded hotspot Koh Samui's hotel capacities are already stretched to the limit, driving up prices even for smaller accommodations. As one social media user put it, Thailand is being "loved to death" - and that was before the White Lotus effect. Many residents worry about where this surge in tourism will lead, describing the island as already 'overcrowded.' Once an off-the-beaten-path paradise, the 25-by-21-kilometre island in the Gulf of Thailand remained a hidden gem until the 1980s. With its pristine beaches, coconut palms and untouched rainforests, it first attracted backpackers. But after the island's airport opened in 1989, visitor numbers soared. In 2023 alone, 2.7 million tourists descended on Koh Samui - a staggering figure for an island with just 50,000 residents. Now, major companies are capitalizing on the White Lotus buzz. From March 12–15, American Express is offering The White Lotus Thailand Experience, featuring a stay at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, luxury spa treatments and themed dinners inspired by the series. Meanwhile, the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has introduced a White Lotus-themed afternoon tea, ensuring that fans can indulge in the show's opulence long after the credits roll. Fans flock to film locations cross the globe SetJetting, the trend of visiting iconic film and TV locations, has become a global phenomenon. From New Zealand's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," to Dubrovnik, Croatia - featured in "Game of Thrones" - and the UK's "Bridgerton" and "Downton Abbey" locations, countless destinations have seen an influx of visitors drawn by their on-screen fame. Thailand has experienced this first-hand. Twenty-five years ago, Danny Boyle's "The Beach," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, turned the serene Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi into a must-see destination. Initially untouched, the bay soon became overrun with tourists, causing irreparable damage to the coral reefs, loss of marine life like blacktip sharks and a build-up of waste. Now, the potential impact of "The White Lotus" on Koh Samui is sparking widespread concern. The issue is being discussed extensively on social media and among locals. One user, who has lived in Thailand since 1989, shared their heartbreak over the increasing destruction of the country's resources and infrastructure due to tourism. Another criticized the country's growing focus on profit, while a third succinctly summed up the situation: "Koh Samui, good luck with the White Lotus effect."
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it?
Season 3 of the hit HBO show White Lotus premiered this week, opening on a gnarled branch in a dense jungle, the camera tracking upward before landing on a monkey, perched attentively. The shot establishes nature as a primary theme that continues as we watch this season's guests arrive, then disperse into villas cascading down a lush Thai hillside, each of them afforded ravishing views over a seemingly pristine island and sea. In real life, this resort is the Four Seasons Koh Samui, and thanks to both its visual appeal and the popularity of the show, Thailand is anticipating a major tourism boost. The country has experienced the power of appearing on screens across the globe before. At the dawn of the new millennium, the film The Beach premiered, starring Leonardo DiCaprio at his post-Titanic peak as well as the setting itself — the otherworldly Maya Bay, a nearly enclosed slice of the Andaman Sea on the uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh, inside a national park. It was a popular snorkeling spot before The Beach, but the film supercharged interest and fans began flocking to Maya Bay, with upwards of 5,000 tourists and 200 boats overwhelming the small beach and its marine ecosystem every day. The country went along with it, caught in the all-too-common trap of depending on revenue from the very tourism that jeopardizes its infrastructure and environment. Meanwhile, trash wrecked the beach, boat anchors and pollution killed the reef, and wildlife disappeared. Now, 25 years later almost to the day after The Beach came along, Thailand has its next Hollywood-induced frenzy on its hands, and it's hoping to be better prepared this time around. While The Beach portrayed paradise-seekers rejecting the traditional markers of vacation luxury by starting their own commune on a secret beach, White Lotus showcases those very markers, then lampoons them. Each season ushers in a new set of wealthy malcontents and the locals who make their holidays run smoothly. Both productions share a sense of paradise gone wrong. They in fact skewer the very notion of the beach as paradise, which would seem to make them awkward conduits for selling a location. Yet, a marketing budget can't buy the kind of promotion they've provided. 'Appearing in White Lotus Season 3 allows us to reach a truly global audience,' said Chompu Marusachot, the New York director of the Tourist Authority of Thailand. 'We are continuously striving to enhance and expand our tourism efforts and infrastructure to welcome even more visitors in the future.' But as Maya Bay showed, more tourists can mean more problems. In 2018, the Thai government had finally seen enough and shut the place down until further notice. Maya Bay reopened in 2022 with a strict system in place to minimize future damage. Boats are no longer allowed to enter the bay, docking instead at a pier elsewhere on the island. The new maximum of 4,125 daily visitors, arriving in designated time slots, walk along a new boardwalk to reach the bay, where they can no longer swim or bring non-reef-safe sunscreen. Maya Bay continues to close to visitors for two months every year for rehabilitation. Koh Samui, by contrast, has been home to a bustling tourism industry long before White Lotus. Today it has 630 hotels and resorts. One of them, the Four Seasons, opened in 2007 and occupies a relatively serene stretch of coastline compared to other parts of the island, whose 3.5 million annual visitors join a local population of 70,000. Both locations are dealing with the challenges of climate change. Last year, Thailand suffered record high sea temperatures, which led to a mass coral bleaching event and the death of seagrass, which in turn led to a mass die-off of dugongs and other ocean life. Storms and floods are also getting more destructive. In 2024, Thailand experienced its worst flooding in decades, affecting more than half a million households. Koh Samui is a case study in how tourism can add to those problems. 'Since tourism rapidly developed without proper infrastructure planning and environmental management, Samui is facing critical problems in terms of waste management and water resources,' said Kannapa Pongponrat, a professor at Thailand's Thammasat University. The pipeline bringing water from the mainline to Koh Samui has proved insufficient as tourism has grown, leading to water shortages on the island. Sediment from construction of resorts and hotels has damaged coral reefs and other ocean life. And trash often accumulates at the edges of roads and in the ocean itself. Thailand is one of the world's biggest contributors to marine plastic pollution, with tourism having been identified as the primary source of the problem in the Gulf of Thailand, where Koh Samui is located. The Thai government nevertheless worked hard to woo creator Mike White's juggernaut of a show, offering generous tax breaks and other incentives that ultimately shaved as much as $4.4 million from production costs for White Lotus' third season. The payoff? A near guarantee of more tourism revenue. After Season 2 aired in 2022, the Four Seasons' San Domenico Palace, Taormina, which stood in for the White Lotus resort, sold out for all of 2023, while travel interest for Sicily spiked. The Four Seasons Maui, the setting for Season 1, saw a 425 percent increase in traffic to its website after the show aired. A representative for the Four Seasons on Koh Samui said that since being announced as the 'White Lotus' for Season 3, the hotel has already experienced a surge in searches and bookings. As the country seeks to increase tourism, plans are underway to begin construction on a cruise ship terminal for Koh Samui in 2029. An airport expansion is set to start this year. New hotel development continues apace. A second waterline from the mainland is being built. At the same time, the government has taken steps to mitigate environmental impacts over the past decade or so. The 2015 Marine and Coastal Resources Management Act has been harnessed to ban harmful activities such as the discharge of wastewater into the ocean and 'sea walking,' where tourists stroll the ocean floor hooked up to oxygen-fed helmets. The country's Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management aims to reduce plastic use and increase recycling practices. All the way back in 2014, the government launched the 'Save Water, Save Samui' campaign to encourage sustainable water use on the island. According to experts, though, these efforts are sometimes toothless. 'The Thai government has laws and regulations,' said Suchana Apple Chavanich, professor of oceanography at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, 'but in this case they need to make sure that those laws and regulations will be followed.' The plastic waste roadmap, for example, does not include an enforcement mechanism, likely limiting its effectiveness. Pongponrat pointed to unchecked illegal construction on Koh Samui, often with insufficient water drainage, which exacerbates flooding problems. Chavanich also noted that many hotels and other tourist businesses on Koh Samui have been working independently to make Koh Samui greener over the past decade or so, but these efforts in turn could use more government support. 'This has to be a collaboration between [the Thai] government, local government, public and private sectors,' she said. For its part, the Four Seasons said it has embarked on a number of initiatives. It eliminated all single-use plastic in 2019, treats its graywater on property, and partnered with Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources on a reef conservation project that has so far reintroduced 16,000 coral pieces to the reef offshore from the resort. The resort said it is developing additional sustainability measures in light of the expected White Lotus effect, but was unable to provide detail at this time as plans are still being approved. Experts agreed that more action will be necessary to counterbalance the damage from overtourism on Koh Samui. The crowds are coming, proving that even as climate change and rising seas threaten the entire model of the beach vacation, its cultural cachet endures. Three seasons in, White Lotus is featuring nature prominently, but always with ominous overtones — the fruit of a pong pong tree in one villa turns out to be toxic, a large monitor lizard spooks one of the guests. It's almost as if the island is trying to send a message. A quarter century after The Beach, whether that message will be received remains an open question. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it? on Feb 19, 2025.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is the hotel in The White Lotus season 3 real? Here's the Thai resort, how much it costs.
If you've been dreaming of checking into 'The White Lotus' ' latest luxurious retreat, you're not alone. Season 3 of the hit HBO series took its signature mix of satire and scandal to Thailand, with the stunning Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui as its backdrop. "With 'The White Lotus' Season 3 set to captivate audiences worldwide, travelers can already start envisioning their own Thai adventure," Chompu Marusachot, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's New York Office, said in a statement. TAT New York even launched a site, offering a virtual journey through the locations featured on screen (Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok). But, just how lavish is the "White Lotus Thailand" – and how much does a stay actually cost? Here's what you need to know about the show's newest five-star setting, plus a look back at the hotels from past seasons. Nestled amidst lush tropical greenery and overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers guests an idyllic escape. The resort features private villas, each equipped with its own pool or beach access, providing an intimate and opulent experience. Amenities include the Secret Garden Spa, known for its holistic treatments, and the Koh Thai Kitchen & Bar, which offers authentic Thai cuisine with panoramic ocean views. Staying at this exclusive resort comes with a premium price tag. The rate for a one-bedroom villa from Feb. 16-17 starts at approximately $2,441, including fees but not taxes. Like most hotels, pricing is modular and based on the season and availability. The resort also offers residence rentals for those looking for an extended stay. Prices are available upon request. The allure of 'The White Lotus' is enhanced by its opulent settings, often used as juxtapositions to the show's class commentary. Both previous seasons also featured Four Seasons hotels. Season 1: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii: The oceanfront property is celebrated for its pristine beaches, world-class spa and dining options. The average price for a garden-view executive suite from Feb. 16-17 starts at approximately $2,735. Season 2: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, Sicily: Perched atop cliffs with sweeping views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the former 14th-century convent offers a unique blend of history and luxury. The average price for a garden-view executive suite from March 2-3 starts at approximately $1,352. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is The White Lotus Thailand real? What to know about the Four Seasons
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'The White Lotus' is taking you to Thailand: Here's what to know before planning a trip
'The White Lotus' is taking you to Thailand: Here's what to know before planning a trip Show Caption Hide Caption Natasha Rothwell, 'How to Die Alone' actress, shares her unique essential Natasha Rothwell, the creator and star of Hulu's comedy "How to Die Alone," shares her must-have item with USA TODAY's The Essentials. Thailand has long been a popular place for tourists to visit, and as travelers continue to draw destination inspiration from pop culture, the tropical southeast Asian nation is poised to receive even more visitors in 2025. The third season of HBO's hit "White Lotus" transports viewers to a lush Thai resort. The show has driven travel trends with its previous settings, so it's likely to lead to a spike in vacations to Thailand. Hopper, the online booking platform, also identified Thailand as a trending travel destination for 2025 in a year-end report in December. "Already demand for trips to Thailand is growing as fans anticipate the new season and are eager to experience the destination for themselves," the report said. Chompu Marusachot, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's New York Office, said that based on preliminary tourism statistics from January to November 2024, the country expects a 5% increase in U.S. tourist arrivals in 2025 compared to 2024. "We hope that Thailand's role as the backdrop for 'The White Lotus' Season 3 will spark a deeper curiosity about amazing Thailand and inspire travelers to experience firsthand the country's breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality," Marusachot said in a statement. "The exposure from the show will not only spotlight Thailand's stunning landscapes and vibrant culture but also reinforce its reputation as a world-class travel destination." So, if you're considering letting out your inner luxury traveler on a Thai beach, here's what you need to know. How do I get to Thailand from the US? Any trip to Asia from the U.S. will be on the long side, and there currently are no direct flights from the U.S. to major gateways in Thailand. But that doesn't mean travelers will have limited options to get there. One-stop itineraries from major U.S. cities to Bangkok and Phuket are available through other global hubs in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Canada. Travelers should expect to spend about $1,000-1,500 round-trip on an economy ticket, though some lower fares are available with some airlines on certain dates. What to know: When does 'The White Lotus' Season 3 premiere? Date, time, cast, trailer, how to watch Is a visa required to visit Thailand? According to the State Department, tourists don't need a visa to visit Thailand if they plan to stay for fewer than 60 days. A valid passport at least six months from expiration is required to enter Thailand, and it must have at least one fully blank visa page for the entry stamp. Is it safe to go to Thailand right now? Thailand is generally considered a safe country to visit. The State Department categorizes it under "Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions" but advises that some provinces are experiencing civil unrest and there may be elevated risk. "We're working to educate all operators within the hospitality sector, in addition to the implementation of new awards honoring achievements in best practices of sustainability and eco-tourism for the Thailand Tourism Awards," Marusachot added. "Additionally, TAT is working with Tourism Cares, to support our ongoing efforts to develop a more sustainable and responsible tourism ecosystem. We are committed to further shaping Thai tourism into a sustainable and responsible industry, fostering connections that deepen global travelers' understanding and appreciation for the country and its people." Is $100 a lot in Thailand? The exchange rate for U.S. travelers to Thailand is generally favorable. One U.S. dollar is equal to about 34 Thai baht. The Shangri-La Bangkok is currently advertising rooms for $153 per night, and hotels in central Bangkok are available for as little as $12 per night, according to Google. In the beach resort area of Phuket, hotels are also much less expensive than other tropical destinations. "Beyond tourism, (The White Lotus) production has already made a meaningful impact on the local economy by directly investing in the region, employing Thai cast and crew, and supporting hundreds of local businesses throughout the filming process," Marusachot said. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Is the hotel in The White Lotus season 3 real? Here's the Thai resort, how much it costs.
Is the hotel in The White Lotus season 3 real? Here's the Thai resort, how much it costs. If you've been dreaming of checking into 'The White Lotus' ' latest luxurious retreat, you're not alone. Season 3 of the hit HBO series took its signature mix of satire and scandal to Thailand, with the stunning Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui as its backdrop. "With 'The White Lotus' Season 3 set to captivate audiences worldwide, travelers can already start envisioning their own Thai adventure," Chompu Marusachot, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's New York Office, said in a statement. TAT New York even launched a site, offering a virtual journey through the locations featured on screen (Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok). But, just how lavish is the "White Lotus Thailand" – and how much does a stay actually cost? Here's what you need to know about the show's newest five-star setting, plus a look back at the hotels from past seasons. What is the hotel featured in White Lotus Season 3? Nestled amidst lush tropical greenery and overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers guests an idyllic escape. The resort features private villas, each equipped with its own pool or beach access, providing an intimate and opulent experience. Amenities include the Secret Garden Spa, known for its holistic treatments, and the Koh Thai Kitchen & Bar, which offers authentic Thai cuisine with panoramic ocean views. How much does the White Lotus hotel cost? Staying at this exclusive resort comes with a premium price tag. The rate for a one-bedroom villa from Feb. 16-17 starts at approximately $2,441, including fees but not taxes. Like most hotels, pricing is modular and based on the season and availability. The resort also offers residence rentals for those looking for an extended stay. Prices are available upon request. Which hotels were featured in White Lotus seasons 1 and 2? The allure of 'The White Lotus' is enhanced by its opulent settings, often used as juxtapositions to the show's class commentary. Both previous seasons also featured Four Seasons hotels.
