The new travel influencers: let ‘White Lotus’ inspire you for your next vacation

Everyone has seen the White Lotus by now, but if you haven’t, maybe postpone reading this article as you may get some spoilers in the following paragraphs. But it’s about time you planned that vacation of yours for this summer, while plane tickets are still cheap! And if you want some inspiration, we got you covered. While the affluent characters jetting off to picturesque locations in White Lotus may be a source of enjoyment for some viewers, others are taking it a step further by booking trips to the same getaways featured in their latest binge-watching sessions.

According to a recent report by American Express, over 50% of millennial and Gen-Z travelers have been influenced to visit the glamorous locations where their favorite TV shows and movies were filmed. A staggering 70% of respondents stated that they wanted to plan a trip to a destination after seeing it on screen, indicating that pop culture is increasingly becoming a source of travel inspiration. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was chosen by director Mike White as the setting for season one of White Lotus, while season two was shot at San Domenico Palace, another Four Seasons property located on the Sicilian coast. Following the release of these seasons, both hotels experienced a surge in traffic.

Marc Speichert, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, stated to the news site that the popular trend of set-jetting has significantly increased interest in Maui and Taormina. This has resulted in a notable rise in website visits and availability checks for both properties, ultimately leading to more bookings. The VP also stated that the upcoming season is already sold out and the show has helped them bring Taormina into the spotlight of hot destinations. What is more, resorts around Sicily that weren’t featured in the series have also seen rapid growth in tourist demand.

The set-jetting trend is not only limited to White's HBO satire, as other shows like Netflix's Emily in Paris, which aired its second season at the end of last year, Downton Abbey, and the popular period drama Bridgerton have also contributed to this trend. Since the debut of Bridgerton in 2020, locations like Castle Howard in North Yorkshire and the town of Bath have seen an increase in visitors.  According to Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, there has been an increase in younger visitors to Bath due to the popularity of the show. She told Bloomberg that it is great to see millennials and Gen-Z travelers showing a greater interest in the history and heritage of the location.

As for where the set-jetting trend will take you next - watch the show and pick your dream location! However, the point of White Lotus was not to send people on their next vacation. If you’re wondering what was the point of the first season, for example, we’re here to help.

Because even after the second season of the HBO Max show, The White Lotus, some fans are still seeking answers about the ending of season one. The first season of the satirical dramedy is set in a Hawaiian resort, where the audience is introduced to several affluent guests and the chaos they recklessly cause. Throughout the season, themes of imperialism, classism, and moral ambiguity guide these characters through a murder mystery set in the blazing sun. The show has been highly praised by critics and fans, resulting in Emmy and Golden Globe wins for Best Limited Series. Although season 2 took the show to Italy, there are still lingering questions about season 1 of The White Lotus among its audience.

The primary query that fans have centered on the ending of The White Lotus' first season. The show highlights the central themes of wealth and colonialism and challenges the behavior of the privileged class, demonstrating how it adversely affects marginalized groups and the working class. While the show does not offer any clear solutions to these complex and dense problems, the season 1 ending follows its characters to their logical conclusions, as if they were predestined to their fates by forces beyond the comprehension of the wealthy and out of reach for the less fortunate.