Latest news with #WhiteLotusEffect
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to visit beautiful country 'better' than Thailand with less tourists
While Thailand is experiencing a major tourist boom thanks to the 'White Lotus Effect', those wishing to avoid the crowds should consider visiting this equally stunning and exciting Southeast Asian gem Favourable currency exchange rates, working holiday visas and television inspiration are all leading British travellers to plan big holidays outside the continent in 2025. According to new research from Reboot Online, one of the most searched-for flights of 2025 are flights to Thailand. But with The White Lotus effect sending tourists to the country in droves and the current plan to slack the visa exemption period in half, you may want to explore alternative options. If you're looking to explore the beauty of Southeast Asia in person but without the keening crowds, consider a trip slightly further east. The Philippines is more than just a destination dupe for Thailand, it has its own rich culture, cuisine and landscape to entice travellers. The country comprises over 7,000 islands with stunning coastal scenery and highly-rated hikes, as well as cheaper food prices than Thailand, according to Travel Authentic Asia. The Philippines can be divided into three main sectors: Luzon, being the largest, northernmost island, which includes the capital of Manila; a group of islands called the Visayas, including the major islands like Panay, Samar, and Masbate; and Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines, found at the southern end of the archipelago. The country attracts nature-lovers with its diverse terrain of beaches, forests and mountains. White Beach, located in Boracay Island, is a top-rated attraction in the country. The white sand beach stretches for about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) and has become a beloved destination for kitesurfing, sailing out on a paraw and sunbathing. Boracay itself is a small island in the Visayas region, a central part of the Philippines. The palm tree-lined White Beach put the island on the map but according to one TripAdvisor user: 'Beaches are better in the Philippines than in Thailand, and it's not just Boracay." Some other top-rated attractions in the country include El Nido Beach, Kayangan Lake, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Big Lagoon. Travelling between the Philippines' islands can add up cost wise though, so it's important to plan your trip well in advance. Another popular tourist destination is the country's capital of Manila. Known as the 'Pearl of the Orient' the historic city is full of museums, parks, and restaurants to dive into the local culture. The Philippines - Manila in particular - has become a hotspot for food-focused travellers. The capital is well known for its impressive cuisine and street food markets, like the Legazpi Sunday Market, Quiapo Market, and the country's very own Chinatown, Binondo. Another popular spot is the capital city of the Davao region. Davao City is packed with attractions to entice travellers including the mountain resort Eden Nature Park and a nature theme park Malagos Garden Resort. Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, is also in Davao City. The trail up the over 9,000-foot dormant is no feat for regular hikers. To summit the peak you will need to prepare in advance and travel with a guide as the climb will take at least three days. If you are swapping out Thailand for a trip to the Philippines, do keep in mind there is a difference in travel time. Flights between the UK and the Filipino capital of Manila are longer than travel to Bangkok, with flights from London taking approximately 16 hours.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Top holiday destination introduces mandatory new requirement for all foreign visitors from tomorrow
In a curious twist, the move is rumoured to have been inspired by a Hollywood production GOING DIGITAL Top holiday destination introduces mandatory new requirement for all foreign visitors from tomorrow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to the white beaches and exotic luscious greenery of a popular British tourist destination will face a new entry requirement from tomorrow. In an attempt to digitise the immigration process, streamline arrivals and enhance security measures, excited tourists now have to fill out a digital form before travelling. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Picture Perfect views - Thailand, Krabi province, Railay beach, Hat Tham Phra Nang beach Credit: Getty 4 Tourists and locals afloat on the lake of dam Khao Sok National park Following a tourism boost after one of the most hotly discussed TV shows used its scenery as a set, the country has decided to replace its old-fashioned paper system with a slick new digital travel card. Thailand's iconic beaches have received an influx of White Lotus fans recent months. But travellers should know they need to fill out the online form 72 hours before you jet off for a spontaneous trip- so get on it! Avoid a characteristic White Lotus-style mishap and fill out the form well in advance to avoid delays. The move replaces the conventional paper-based TM6 arrival card with an online form called the TDAC which can be found on the Thai immigration bureau's official website. It records basic personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, Thai lodging address and a basic health declaration. This will then be connected to Thailand's biometric database to improve security screening for tourists whether tourists are travelling by land, air or sea. Thai bureaucrats hope the move will allow them to crack down on human and narcotics trafficking and gather public health information. After seasons one and two of the critically acclaimed show, locations Hawaii and Siciliy saw a 300% year-on-year surge in tourism, nicknamed the 'White Lotus Effect.' The third season of the Emmy Award-winning HBO show shows off the landscapes of Koh Sumai, as well as better-known destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket. 4 Drone shot of Railway Beach on a summer sunny day in Krabi, Thailand Credit: Getty 4 The iconic Wat Arun temple in Bangkok at sunset Credit: Getty Koh Samui Island has, since the third series aired in January, already seen a 44% rise in hotel reservations and an 88% increase in searches according to the Bangkok Post. Searches linked to Thailand travel significantly increased in the US, UK, Germany, France and Israel with searches for Koh Samui accommodations up 65% since January 2025. The country's tourism authority is hoping that the 'White Lotus Effect' will bump its tourism revenue back to pre-pandemic levels from 1.8trn baht ($53.5bn) to 3trn ($82.3bn) baht of revenue. After predictable initial teething problems, as many travellers may not realise the system has changed, the hope is that the new digital rollout will become a 'fast pass to paradise,' making the journey almost hassle-free.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- The Sun
Top holiday destination introduces mandatory new requirement for all foreign visitors from tomorrow
HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to the white beaches and exotic luscious greenery of a popular British tourist destination will face a new entry requirement from tomorrow. In an attempt to digitise the immigration process, streamline arrivals and enhance security measures, excited tourists now have to fill out a digital form before travelling. 4 4 Following a tourism boost after one of the most hotly discussed TV shows used its scenery as a set, the country has decided to replace its old-fashioned paper system with a slick new digital travel card. Thailand's iconic beaches have received an influx of White Lotus fans recent months. But travellers should know they need to fill out the online form 72 hours before you jet off for a spontaneous trip- so get on it! Avoid a characteristic White Lotus-style mishap and fill out the form well in advance to avoid delays. The move replaces the conventional paper-based TM6 arrival card with an online form called the TDAC which can be found on the Thai immigration bureau's official website. It records basic personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, Thai lodging address and a basic health declaration. This will then be connected to Thailand's biometric database to improve security screening for tourists whether tourists are travelling by land, air or sea. Thai bureaucrats hope the move will allow them to crack down on human and narcotics trafficking and gather public health information. After seasons one and two of the critically acclaimed show, locations Hawaii and Siciliy saw a 300% year-on-year surge in tourism, nicknamed the 'White Lotus Effect.' The third season of the Emmy Award-winning HBO show shows off the landscapes of Koh Sumai, as well as better-known destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket. 4 Koh Samui Island has, since the third series aired in January, already seen a 44% rise in hotel reservations and an 88% increase in searches according to the Bangkok Post. Searches linked to Thailand travel significantly increased in the US, UK, Germany, France and Israel with searches for Koh Samui accommodations up 65% since January 2025. The country's tourism authority is hoping that the 'White Lotus Effect' will bump its tourism revenue back to pre-pandemic levels from 1.8trn baht ($53.5bn) to 3trn ($82.3bn) baht of revenue. After predictable initial teething problems, as many travellers may not realise the system has changed, the hope is that the new digital rollout will become a 'fast pass to paradise,' making the journey almost hassle-free.
The Independent
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Where will the next season of The White Lotus be filmed? Our travel desk share their predictions
Following sun-drenched stints at dysfunctional resorts in Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, which destination will anchor the next season of The White Lotus is the question on everyone's lips. Speculation surrounding the next Lotus location is already rife, with rumours of a more metropolitan setting already swirling for season four. Although tight-lipped on plans, at the end of season three creator Mike White teased: 'I want to get a little bit out of the crashing waves of rocks vernacular.' It's expected that the social satire will again cross continents for tumultuous travels to another fictitious hotel in Africa, South America or Australia. As past series have aired, the ' White Lotus Effect ' has redirected travel trends to the islands seen on screen, with tourism surges of up to 300 per cent year-on-year and a boom in bookings at Four Seasons resorts. But after HBO formalised their partnership last year, will another Four Seasons hotel host the anticipated fourth season of the wild anthology or is a new resort set to star as the series' main character? From Tanzania to Saint-Tropez, here are the trending destinations and opulent hotels our travel desk fancy for season four of The White Lotus. Le K2 Palace, Courchevel I think it's time that The White Lotus ditched the sun-drenched locations and headed to the mountains. After all, we know well-heeled travellers love a ski holiday. There's no shortage of opulent resorts in the French Alps where I can envisage White Lotus guests checking in, but my punt would be for Courchevel - the picture-perfect mountain town with Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels and a runway for private jets. Alongside the Dior-clad, Veuve-sipping clientele, there would be no difficulty in concocting storylines surrounding the vast number of seasonaires who travel to the mountains to work in hotels. Le K2 Palace is more than just a hotel, it's a luxury 'village' with private chalets surrounding the main building and sweeping views across the valley – ideal for combining White Lotus grandeur with unparalleled scenery. – Annabel Grossman, global travel editor Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania If filming is to, again, set up in a Four Seasons, White might swap sea for savannah and send cameras rolling across the Serengeti. Should another all-star cast check into private villas and terraced suites at the brand's safari lodge, the twists and turns will take viewers to Tanzania backdropped by waterhole views. An ethical tug-of-war between conservation and invasive tourism on the safari scene sets the site as a solid platform for a canvas-wrapped social satire. The walk on the wild side would mark the first White Lotus filmed in Africa, with hot air balloon tours, game rides and hilltop yoga on itineraries at the safari lodge. Where season three saw venomous snake bites, the Big Five could surely cause a stir with elephant stampedes and close calls with lions before guests take a visit to the – Lotus staple – luxury spa. – Natalie Wilson, travel writer The Ship Hotel, New Romney Murder? Mystery? Escaping the everyday? There is only one possible destination: Romney Marsh, where Kent and East Sussex meet the Channel in a blur of land, water and sky. This is the cul-de-sac for the whole nation. The landscape comprises blank meadows that struggle to clamber above sea level. Some empty roads connect the sparse signs of humanity: farms and the occasional straggle of cottages. All manner of perils prevail. The chief man-made features in the marsh are the churches, most of which have outlived their congregations. The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust looks after 14 lonely places of worship, and the ruins of four more. Of them all, the most singularly beautiful is St Thomas à Becket in Fairfield. At the southern tip of the marsh: Dungeness, which abuts a giant nuclear power station. The filmmaker Derek Jarman was a noted resident, and the garden of his Prospect Cottage is still a sight to behold. And the accommodation: the 15th-century Ship Hotel in New Romney. – Simon Calder, travel correspondent Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya While The White Lotus heavily features the Four Seasons, another luxury brand contender would be Belmond, known for its lavish hotels and state-of-the-art sleeper train travel. The hotels are uncredited characters in the hit show but are just as important to the storyline as the main stars. Such responsibility should go to a place that often appears in lists of the best five-star hotels, which would be Maroma, a Belmond hotel. Maroma offers deluxe rooms and suites, but the most luxurious are its villas, complete with private pools and views of the ocean, along with direct access to the white sandy beachfront. The hotel was renovated with the help of local artisans, installing interiors invoking Mexican heritage. The hotel has three pools, a spa and a dog-friendly policy, while more unique experiences such as bee therapy, sound healing and Maya stargazing would not go amiss with The White Lotus guests. You will find Maroma in the heart of the Riviera Maya, flanked by a lush jungle, cenotes and ruins, which could make an interesting backdrop for next season's antics. – Amelia Neath, travel writer Château de la Messardière, Saint-Tropez If Château de la Messardière was used as a filming location for White Lotus, the actors would have their work cut out. Because this hotel is a scene-stealer like no other – glamorous from top to bottom and located on a hill in Saint-Tropez, one of Europe 's chicest destinations. There's even an eye-catching car park filled with Ferraris, Bentleys and Lamborghinis belonging to guests – as well as Rolls-Royce SUVs that chauffeur them to the hotel's private beach. Viewers would drool as the camera dwells on this idyllic strip of sand and pans over the surrounding umbrella pine trees to the hotel's irresistibly magnificent, mosaicked main pool. And for scenes of whispered scheming, The White Lotus directors need look no further than the property's beautiful, olive-tree-festooned gardens. – Ted Thornhill, US travel editor Claridge's, London We've had Thai monasteries, Hawaii's surf breaks and the lemon groves of Sicily. Let's swap the paradisiacal for London. The UK capital could inject some urban grit into the series, and with it fresh energy while staying true to themes of wealth, privilege, and cultural friction. In fact, given the social soup in London that sees old money and nouveau riche, aristocrats and tech bros, all jumbled together, the scene is ripe for satire. I'd argue that London's contradictory grime-and-glamour, and the weight of history found across town, could give a sharper, colder edge to The White Lotus tone. There'll be no shortage of material, whether it's brash Americans clashing with the British upper crust, or the juxtaposition of traditional society against modern anxieties around class and race. As for the backdrop, London is spoilt with hotels that excuse drama and decadence. After a blaze in February closed celeb hang-out Chiltern Firehouse until further notice (which would have been perfect for modern wealth, clout-chasing, and social media toxicity), I'd plump for Claridge's in Mayfair: an icon of old-world luxury, Claridge's screams generational wealth and quiet elitism – and the subtle power plays of high society are just waiting to be disrupted. – Benjamin Parker, UK travel editor Royal Mansour, Marrakech The White Lotus has yet to touch down in Africa, and what better location than Marrakech, a city that has captured the hearts of artists and designers for decades? Yves Saint Laurent had a house just outside the medina where he liked to throw parties with the likes of Mick Jagger, Paul and Talitha Getty and Andy Warhol in attendance. The hotel I'd suggest Mike White set his next series in rises above the glitterati, as it was designed by an actual King, King Mohammed VI. There are 53 private baked-earth riads are set within six acres of date palms, fragrant honeysuckle and rose bushes, while inside, every inch of the hotel is fit for royalty, with jewel-toned zellige tiles, mirrored mosaics, sumptuous velvet furnishings and traditional Tazouaqt wood paintings. There's a decadent marble-clad spa where Belinda can work her massage magic, too. All this will be lost on the devilish characters in season four of The White Lotus, of course, who will no doubt make a beeline for the pool bar, where they can slip on a pair of custom-made leather sliders and recline with a glass the finest Provencial rosé in hand, all while talking down to the wonderfully kind and attentive Royal Mansour staff. – Emilee Tombs, assistant travel editor Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet, Turkey The heady cultural destination where East curiously meets West, Istanbul offers a perfect storm of old and new. Within intoxicating bazaars and beguiling basilicas, White Lotus guests might unlock the city's history or bury their own secrets in its tantalising cultural tapestry. The stay is bound to be at The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet, an opulent destination that blends Ottoman history with cosmopolitan luxury. The hotel is a calm oasis, complete with ancient hammam spa treatments and a manicured garden, which could lull the guests into an ominous false sense of security. A city marked with architectural symbols of ancient Byzantine and Ottoman powers, will the cast rise to their heights or reveal new lows? – Alice Reynolds, travel writer
Metro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
British man 'caught with cocaine after fleeing Thai police on a motorbike'
A British tourist was stopped by police after fleeing when he was found allegedly carrying cocaine. Michael Philip Martin, 27, from Liverpool, was flagged down by police while driving against the traffic flow on the island of Koh Samui on April 23. However, he reportedly ignored the warning and sped away on his rented motorbike before being intercepted in front of a hotel. Officers searched his belongings and found three sachets of cocaine weighing 1.79 grammes in total and found his visa had expired in October last year. Police Captain Sophon Maksuwan of the Bo Phut District Police Station said: 'The suspect was taken into custody and charged for illegally possessing category 2 narcotics and overstaying. He has admitted to the charges, and we have informed him of his rights.' During questioning, Michael allegedly confessed he had bought the cocaine from a Thai man at a pub near Chaweng Beach for £90 per sachet. Police photos show the red-faced tourist with his hands clasped together in front of officers as they displayed his stash of illegal drugs to reporters. He was detained at the police station, and the contraband was seized as evidence. Cocaine is classified as a 'category 2' narcotic under Thai law. Importers, producers, and exporters face jail sentences depending on the amount, with the most severe being life behind bars. More Trending Despite the severe penalties in law, many tourists are able to 'negotiate' with Thai authorities who are not keen on footing the bill for their prison stays. Tourism interest in Koh Samui island, where the White Lotus was filmed, surged among US, British and European travellers following the success of the show's third season. The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which serves as the show's fictional setting, saw a tenfold increase in demand, its executive vice president, Marc Speichert, said. The spike in interest, called the 'White Lotus Effect', also boosted tourism in the previous filming locations of Hawaii and Sicily. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Drug dealer apologised to customers for 'poor quality' of his heroin and cocaine MORE: At least five people dead after plane crashes into the sea in Thailand MORE: What is 'cuckooing'? The devastating crime hiding in plain sight
