Sun Feb 16 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Koh Samui Braces for “White Lotus” Tourism Boom
**KOH SAMUI, Thailand —** The idyllic Thai island of Koh Samui is preparing for a potential influx of tourists following the premiere of HBO’s “The White Lotus” season three, which is set on the island. Previous seasons of the hit show, filmed in Hawaii and Sicily, saw a significant surge in tourism to those locations, a phenomenon dubbed the “White Lotus effect.” Koh Samui, already named a top destination by several travel publications, anticipates a similar boom. While some locals are unaware of the show’s impact, the island’s relatively small population of roughly 68,000 is bracing for the increased number of visitors expected to arrive after the new season airs. The anticipation within the travel industry is as high as that among fans eager to see the new episodes.
First Piper 