BANGKOK — Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by high-profile international productions choosing the country as their filming location. The HBO series “The White Lotus” and the upcoming “Jurassic World” are expected to significantly boost Thai tourism throughout 2025.
Immediate Impact
After the debut of ‘The White Lotus’ new season on February 17, hotel bookings at filming locations have surged dramatically. Properties in Bangkok, Samui, and Phuket have reported a 400-500% increase in booking rates compared to the same period last year. The series’ global appeal has been further amplified by the participation of Thai superstar Lisa Lalisa Manoban, whose worldwide fanbase has helped elevate Thailand’s tourism profile.
“Filming The White Lotus in Thailand not only showcases the country’s natural beauty and world-famous destinations but also highlights our first-class service standards,” says Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT’s deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. “The production team praised Thailand for its smooth, well-coordinated filming process and exceptional facilities.”
Cheawsamoot added that the presence of Lisa in the series has created a dual tourism appeal. “While the show itself attracts English-speaking tourists from Europe and America, Lisa’s participation is drawing ASEAN fans eager to follow in her footsteps,” he explained.
“Based on this trend, we anticipate steady tourism throughout the year, with Koh Samui likely to maintain strong visitor numbers even during traditional low seasons.”
International Tourist Response
According to data from multiple sources, the impact is already evident in international travel trends:
- Travel platform Opodo reports that UK tourists showed a 53% year-over-year increase in Thailand-related searches during February 17-23, 2024, with the UK ranking third globally for Thailand-focused searches
- The Tourism Council of Thailand’s Vice President, Ratchaporn Poolsawat, reports that:
- Koh Samui experienced a 12% increase in hotel searches since the series aired
- US market searches rose 65% from January, surpassing Malaysian tourist interest
- The top five tourist groups searching for Koh Samui are from Israel, Germany, France, UK, and USA
Hollywood’s Broader Impact
Beyond “The White Lotus,” Thailand’s tourism sector is benefiting from multiple international productions. The Tourism Department reports that foreign film productions in Thailand generated over 7 billion baht in filming value last year. Recent statistics show:
- 466 projects were filmed in Thailand by teams from 40 countries in 2023, generating 6.753 billion baht (approximately $201 million USD)
- 490 foreign film projects in 2024 brought in 6.415 billion baht (approximately $191 million USD)
- January 2025 alone saw 62 projects completed, contributing 785 million baht (approximately $23.4 million USD)
Tourism Authority Response
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is capitalizing on this trend by developing specialized tourism packages:
- Creating itineraries inspired by “The White Lotus” for US and European markets
- Designing travel packages featuring series locations including Bangkok, Samui, and Phuket
- Planning promotional campaigns for the upcoming “Jurassic World Rebirth,” filmed in Krabi, Trang, and Phang Nga
- Targeting increased average tourist spending to 50,000-60,000 baht per trip
Hotel Industry Benefits
The impact on Thailand’s hospitality sector has been substantial. Minor International’s CEO, Dillip Rajakarier, reports that hotels featured in “The White Lotus” have seen a 40% increase in average daily rates, including:
- Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
- Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Hawaii)
- Four Seasons Hotel Taormina (Italy)
Current Tourism Performance
Phuket’s tourism industry showed strong performance in early 2025, maintaining an average occupancy rate of 94% during January and February. The robust bookings are attributed to tourists from Russia, China, India, Australia, the UK, and Kazakhstan.
The combination of high-profile entertainment productions and strategic tourism initiatives positions Thailand for significant tourism growth throughout 2025, with benefits extending across multiple sectors of the economy.
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