Minor Hotels, a luxury hospitality company based in Thailand, says it is experiencing a significant boost in interest and bookings at its Anantara properties, thanks to them being featured in the third season of The White Lotus, a hit television drama produced by HBO.

In a press statement, Minor Hotel says that the show, which premiered on February 16, features Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas as principal filming locations and this exposure has led to a remarkable 104 pc year-over-year increase in website traffic for these resorts in February, accompanied by a 41 pc  rise in direct online bookings during the same period.

The hospitality company says that booking conversions spiked on February 17 and February 24, coinciding with the airing of the show’s first two episodes.

The statement adds that room night bookings for the retail segment grew by 53 pc and over 180 pc in those weeks compared to the previous year and the search traffic on the Anantara internet booking engine for these properties increased by 100 pc week-over-week compared to last year.

The Minor Hotels says that all its luxury properties in Thailand have seen a nearly 40 pc year-over-year increase in global web traffic in February, primarily from key markets like the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany and France and it also owns Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, another key filming location for the series.

Dillip Rajakarier

“We are thrilled to see travellers around the world inspired by the stunning settings in The White Lotus. We own and operate more than 30 hotels, resorts and residences in Thailand, and we expect this will not only boost interest in Thailand globally, but also enhance its positioning as an international luxury leisure and wellness destination,” says Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO, Minor International, parent company of Minor Hotels.

The hospitality company adds that this phenomenon highlights the powerful influence of television and film on travel decisions and to capitalise on this trend, Anantara has launched the Lotus Awakening Escape package, offering customers a four-night stay at the featured resorts, complete with spa experiences, local tours and themed dinners.

The statement adds that as Minor Hotels continues to expand its global footprint, with plans to reach 850 properties by 2027, it is well-positioned to harness the momentum generated by The White Lotus and further establish Thailand as a premier luxury and wellness destination.