Movies

‘The White Lotus’ critiques luxury tourism while also promoting it with partnerships

BBG News

When it debuted in 2021, “The White Lotus” was a sharp critique of upper-class tourism and those wealthy enough to spend $9,000 per night on leisure. Created and managed by Mike White, this darkly humorous series explored the entitled guests and overworked staff at a lavish Maui hotel throughout an increasingly stressful week.

A location intended as an escape from global issues ironically mirrored them instead, showcasing class disparity and remnants of American imperialism vividly. The series “The White Lotus,” filmed at the Four Seasons in Maui during its first season, managed to portray a luxury resort as a dangerous pressure cooker. Working there was not only draining but potentially lethal.

In simpler terms, the second season of the show, a comedic drama set at an exquisite beachfront resort in Sicily, explored themes like sex, wealth, and authority. Both episodes poked fun at the rich and portrayed characters meeting untimely deaths in beautiful settings. Interestingly, these seasons actually boosted tourism at their filming locations. This is surprising because a program that criticized luxury travel ended up promoting it instead.

The contrast between different ideologies becomes even more evident in Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” which recently aired on HBO. Located on Koh Samui, Thailand, this installment continues the series’ tradition by starting with a corpse discovery. However, it delves into fresh topics such as the collision between Western affluence and Eastern spirituality, notably Buddhism. The seasonal White Lotus resort is renowned for its wellness program, where guests are advised to disconnect from their phones during their visit and can enjoy activities like yoga, meditation, and massages.

Hollywood productions often spotlight the glamorous and hedonistic facets of Thai culture, such as the Full Moon Party that goes all night or the tourist-driven sex industry in Bangkok. However, the creators of “The White Lotus” aimed to present different aspects of Thailand’s character.

As a movie reviewer speaking from Bangkok, where I recently attended the grand local premiere of this show, I must clarify that while Thai elements are indeed present, they do not encapsulate the entirety of Thai culture. Instead, our goal as executive producers was to authentically portray Thailand – capturing the essence of its people and culture in a manner that we hope will spark renewed curiosity and appreciation for this beautiful country. This is achieved notably through the presence of Thai-born K-pop sensation Lalisa Manobal, famously known as Blackpink’s Lisa, who gracefully embodies her role as a hotel worker.

The series was produced in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Four Seasons, serving as a filming location yet again for the show. The Thai government also granted substantial tax incentives for the production. In tandem with HBO, numerous brands crafted merchandise inspired by “The White Lotus,” such as $98 scented candles, $48 sunscreen, $325 overnight bags, $725 dresses, and $4.50 flavored coffee creamers. Despite its bleak themes and critical portrayal of humanity, the series has proven to be an attractive marketing platform for a variety of brands. One might wonder why a show depicting morally questionable individuals engaging in poor behavior (and meeting unfortunate ends) is so alluring to these companies?

World & Nation

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Season 3 of the sensational HBO series ‘The White Lotus’ is expected to hit screens in 2025! With this exciting announcement, Thailand is all set to charm luxury tourists and entice more Hollywood productions. Can’t wait to see what unfolds on this sun-kissed horizon!

Bernard admitted he wasn’t sure about the answer, finding it quite peculiar,” or “Bernard confessed he didn’t know, as it seemed odd to him,” or “Bernard was taken aback, unsure due to its bizarre nature.” Furthermore, “He finds it hard to believe that the initial production of the show was small and intimate. Even now, it feels strange to him that people are taking notice.

Despite the fact that “The White Lotus” has grown into such a significant pop culture phenomenon, it’s worth remembering that it initially started as a temporary solution – a show designed for swift and secure production in a single, secluded location during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, HBO was searching urgently for new content.

Initially, it was intended to shoot the film in Australia, a place with stringent lockdowns effectively managing the pandemic. However, when this turned out to be challenging, Hawaii emerged as the most suitable alternative. This location boasted breathtaking natural scenery and also presented deep themes for exploration, including American colonization and the struggles faced by Native Hawaiians.

Essentially, Season 2 initially intended to be filmed in France but eventually shifted to Sicily following a location scout in Taormina. A local guide shared a tale connected to the ornamental moor’s head statues prevalent in the area, which served as inspiration for the series’ design. This story sparked Mike’s desire to pen a season centered around bedroom comedy and sexual politics, as Bernad explained.

According to Bernad, Season 3 was initially conceptualized as an “examination of Eastern and Western philosophies.” The original plan was to shoot in Japan, a destination they had long wanted to work with. As a favor to HBO, White and Bernad also ventured to Thailand. Notably, White had unfavorable memories of Koh Samui due to his past experiences there, following his elimination from “The Amazing Race.

However, they ended up being captivated by the nation and its inhabitants. Additionally, White was struck by a sudden burst of creativity when he contracted bronchitis in Chiang Mai. He was given powerful steroids for treatment and claimed to have hallucinated throughout the season, according to Bernad. “To be honest,” Bernad added, “the following day, we were scouting in the van, and he shared his dream with me. It’s essentially what we filmed — his steroid-induced dream.

Moving the production of our show to Thailand, a country with over 90% Buddhist population, provided us an opportunity to delve into Buddhism as both a religion and a philosophy, stated Bernad. One of our main artistic intentions was to offer a more complex portrayal of Thai culture than what is commonly depicted in Western media. “Normally, it’s portrayed as ‘The Hangover Part II’, sensationalizing the less savory aspects of Bangkok. However, that wasn’t our intention,” he explained.

One character this season, Piper Ratliff (played by Sarah Catherine Hook), is a student majoring in religious studies. She’s taken her affluent Southern family to Thailand, not for vacation, but to talk with a Buddhist monk about her thesis. Her fascination with spirituality leaves her family puzzled, as they find the hotel’s various wellness activities questionable.

Television

Known as Lisa from the group Blackpink, Lalisa Manobal is set to make her acting premiere in Season 3 of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” Below are some points about this versatile entertainer.

Koh Samui is often referred to as a “detox island,” attracting affluent tourists who participate in spiritual practices inspired by Buddhism, though these are frequently a blend of various spiritual traditions, according to Brooke Schedneck, a religious studies professor at Rhodes College specializing in Buddhism and religious tourism in Thailand. Upon arrival on Koh Samui, almost everyone carries yoga mats. Destinations like the fictional White Lotus capitalize on Thailand’s reputation as a Buddhist country while providing wellness services that may not be directly linked to Buddhism; for example, you wouldn’t practice yoga in a Buddhist temple.

According to Schedneck, it’s ironic that many of the hotel’s guests find humor in the fact that they’re booking a wellness resort only to complain about having to participate in wellness activities. This highlights their self-centered, Western perspective where they prioritize personal desires above all else.

To some extent, the division between Eastern and Western cultures might not be as pronounced as commonly believed. It’s a misconception among many Westerners that because Buddhism is widespread in Thailand, it signifies less interest in material possessions. As Schedneck explained, “It’s challenging for people to accept that Buddhism can coexist and even foster wealth.

As a supporter, I’d say: “For me, ‘The White Lotus’ has been an incredibly potent marketing asset for Four Seasons, even though the series portrays some dark events and questionable behavior at their resorts. The strategic alliance, established before Season 3, allows Four Seasons to leverage the ‘White Lotus’ intellectual property and host branded activities such as poolside cabanas and viewing parties at their properties. Notably, Four Seasons also unveiled a 20-day journey where guests will traverse the show’s three filming locations using their private jet.

In collaboration with HBO’s “The White Lotus,” the Four Seasons resorts are offering culinary delights and unique experiences reminiscent of the series. (Four Seasons Resorts courtesy)

Enjoy a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui’s poolside villa, as showcased on the program. (Provided by Four Seasons Resorts)

In the course of its ongoing market studies, the company regularly conducts surveys among wealthy individuals every month. The latest questionnaire features questions related to “The White Lotus” TV show. Interestingly, out of the millennial respondents, a staggering 88% recognized both brands and an impressive 71% expressed a strong intent to visit locations depicted in the series.

Marc Speichert, Four Seasons’ executive VP and CCO, stated that choosing the perfect show for promotion and skillfully highlighting a hotel can significantly boost its business and serve as exceptional public relations. In fact, he has observed a remarkable increase in online interest for their Koh Samui property – site visits have skyrocketed by almost 600% compared to the same period last year.

Speichert pointed out that it’s common knowledge that “The White Lotus” is a work of fiction. While it does utilize the Four Seasons as a setting, it doesn’t represent the hotel itself. Instead, the PR generated focuses on how stunning the hotel appears in the series. Additionally, he mentioned that characters like Belinda (played by Natasha Rothwell in seasons 1 and 3) and Valentina (portrayed by Sabrina Impacciatore in season 2) serve as representations of the kind of people you might encounter working at a place like the Four Seasons.

Television

In a revealing discussion, writer-director Mike White and his talented cast uncover the hidden ‘apocalyptic dread’ that lies within the glossy facade of high-end travel, as depicted in HBO’s mini-series.

Previously, the popular TV show “The White Lotus” triggered a spike in travelers to Maui and Sicily. Similarly, if a similar trend were to occur in Thailand, it would be highly beneficial given its reliance on tourism. Last year alone, the country attracted 35 million foreign tourists, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Their goal is to boost that number up to 40 million visitors by 2025.

In “The White Lotus” Season 3, Thailand serves as a backdrop that broadens our reach to a worldwide audience, providing a distinctive platform to highlight Thailand’s stunning vistas, captivating cuisine, vibrant traditions, untouched nature, and above all, the friendly demeanor and genuine hospitality of its people, according to Chompu Marusachot, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s New York office.

As a follower, I can’t help but feel excited about the potential economic benefits that an increase in visitors could bring to Thailand. However, I also share the concerns about the potential environmental impact such an influx might have, especially on places like Koh Samui, which already face challenges such as a shortage of fresh water and overflowing landfills. Reports from local residents echo these concerns. For instance, movies like “The Beach,” released in 2000, transformed Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh into a popular tourist spot with up to 5,000 visitors daily. The pollution that followed resulted in the destruction of an estimated 80% of the bay’s coral. Authorities had to close the beach for several years and now limit access. Regarding “The White Lotus” being filmed in Koh Samui, HBO declined to comment on the potential environmental impact.

For Bernad, working on the series in Thailand showed him the significance of approaching things with care. “It’s crucial to enter with humility, understanding you aren’t forcing your production methods,” he stated. “Instead, you’re absorbing knowledge from the local team and adapting to their requirements.” This is valuable guidance for producers as well as travelers.

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2025-03-03 14:32

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