You’d have to be living under a pretty big lotus leaf not to know that the hit HBO series “The White Lotus” is a travel phenomenon, attracting fans en masse to its seasonal settings – Sicily, Hawaii and Thailand. However, according to a new survey not only is the show driving increased consideration for trips to its shooting locations, but the hijinks of its characters are determining the types of experiences fans want to have on vacation.
Conducted by travel experience marketplace GetYourGuide, the survey notably reveals that White Lotus travellers want local flavour and mischief, not just five-star resorts, prioritizing excitement over the peace and quiet that resort life usually evokes.
The survey says the show’s impact on wanderlust is undeniable: 75% of fans say “The White Lotus” has influenced their travel more than any other show. So far, 31% have already visited Hawaii, Italy, or Thailand because of it, while 68% plan to visit the exotic filming locations in the future.
“It’s been widely reported that ‘The White Lotus’ is driving the ‘set-jetting’ trend and influencing many people’s travel decisions today, but we wanted to know how far people are willing to go to vacation like the show’s characters,” says Madison Pietrowski, GetYourGuide’s Director of Brand. “We found that the peaceful vacation is dead. Fans are more interested in having visceral and thrilling experiences than they are in unwinding by the pool.”
And to that end, for fans of the show, luxury is out while “White Lotus”-style vacation drama is in:
- 91% of fans of the HBO show say they’re looking to get into mischief while on vacation
- 84% of fans are likely to book travel with the intention of having a “White Lotus” experience (minus the murder)
- 55% of fans say it’s “very or extremely important” that their vacation mirrors scenes from the show
- Status-chasing meets self-sabotage? A quarter of fans (26%) would even go into debt to live out a “White Lotus”-style trip
However, while many of the characters in “The White Lotus” are stereotypically “bad” tourists – they’re self-absorbed, spoiled, manipulative and likely to disregard or disrespect local culture – fans of the show demonstrate more appreciation for the kind of adventures that can be had when one embraces authentic travel experiences.
Fans ranked connecting with locals, getting access to off-the-beaten-path locations, and indulging in local food and drinks as more important than luxury experiences for a “White Lotus”-inspired trip.
They also gave high rankings to travel experiences such as:
- Awakening my mind to expand my horizons
- Testing my limits through thrill-seeking experiences
- Gaining access to exclusive perks and experiences
- Exploring my sensual and fiery side
And 70% said that the opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience is their top travel motivator – highlighting the desire for unique and unforgettable travel experiences.
Meanwhile, for nearly three quarters of “White Lotus” fans, posting the experience on social media is a key reason they’d plan a trip inspired by the show (71%).
Of the survey respondents, 93% said they would consider booking a “White Lotus”-themed experience or tour.
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