Thailand – The White Lotus is redefining luxury hospitality in Asia, with new data from media intelligence firm Carma revealing its significant influence on high-end hotel conversations. The HBO series has become the dominant driver of online discussions about the Four Seasons Koh Samui, where Season 3 was filmed, accounting for 86.2% of social media mentions about the resort.
The phenomenon extends beyond Four Seasons. Since 16 February, 51.9% of all Anantara mentions on Asian social media platforms have been linked to The White Lotus, underlining entertainment’s power to elevate luxury brands. Meanwhile, Blackpink’s Lisa joining the cast has driven 7.47% of all Blackpink-related social conversations in Asia, with overwhelmingly positive sentiment (47.6%).
‘The data demonstrates how entertainment properties can fundamentally shift market positioning and consumer behaviour, with the show’s premiere triggering significant spikes in hotel search activity across key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines and Indonesia,’ said Divika Jethmal, head of marketing Asia at Carma. ‘For communications leaders, this insight is crucial in understanding how cultural moments can be leveraged to amplify brand visibility and engagement in ways traditional advertising cannot achieve.’
For more insights on the impact of television on travel, read our Pop Culture Pilgrimages report.
Strategic opportunity
Luxury brands – including hotels, fashion and food and beverage specialists – should proactively seek collaborations with major entertainment franchises to create premium experiences that immerse clients in their favourite show’s universe