‘White Lotus Effect’ in Full Bloom for Minor Hotels as Thailand Booking Interest Surges

Minor Hotels is feeling ‘The White Lotus effect’, with three of its Anantara properties that served as principal filming locations for the hit HBO series experiencing a surge in online interest and bookings.

The show’s third season, which is set in Thailand and premiered on February 16, has driven a substantial uptick in interest for Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas – where much of the series was filmed. Traffic to the resorts’ websites has risen 104% year-over-year (y-y) for the month of February, with the three properties also reporting a 41% y-y rise in direct online bookings made in the same period.

Notable spikes in booking conversion were recorded on February 17 and February 24 – corresponding with the airing of the show’s first two episodes – with room night booking production for the retail segment growing 53% and over 180% in those two weeks respectively, compared to the previous year.

Week-over-week data also shows a 100% increase in search traffic on the Anantara internet booking engine for the three properties compared to those same weeks last year.  

While the most significant ‘White Lotus effect’ has been felt at those Anantara properties featured in the series, Minor Hotels reports that web traffic for all its luxury properties in Thailand have witnessed growth in global web traffic, up nearly 40% y-y in February, mostly from key source markets including the UK, US, India, Germany, and France.

Minor Hotels is also the owner of Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, another of the principal filming locations for The White Lotus Season 3.

The trend highlights the power of television and film to shape real-world travel decisions, and Minor Hotels stands ready to welcome new and returning guests seeking an immersive, on-screen-inspired escape. To celebrate the show’s success, Anantara is offering a Lotus Awakening Escape package which includes experiences at the three Anantara resorts featured on The White Lotus and unique lotus-inspired activities that reveal the true heart of Thailand.

For more information on Anantara Lawana, Anantara Bophut, and Anantara Mai Khao, or to book an unforgettable stay, please visit www.anantara.com.

About Anantara Hotels & Resorts

A luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, Anantara has connected guests to genuine places, people and stories in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations since 2001. Each Anantara embraces the surroundings and culture of its destination to create unforgettable memories for every guest. From city to sea and desert to jungle, Anantara delivers heartfelt, Thai-inspired hospitality at its over 50 hotels and resorts across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

Anantara is part of global hospitality group Minor Hotels and a member of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.

Visit anantara.com for more information, and connect with Anantara on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.