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The third season of the hit HBO series is being filmed in the lush Southeast Asian country, and monetary incentives for the production will result in a backlog of tourists.
By Jessica Shaw
“Unforgettable reports are in the works,” he pokes fun at a Feb. 13 Instagram post that was liked by more than 80,000 people. The photo gives a glimpse of an abandoned beach of white sand, blue waters and the faintly visible rooftops of the buildings submerged in a landscape of leafy trees. “We look forward to welcoming new visitors to our hotel in Thailand. “
Obscuring the view of the resort: a movie panel adorned with a coral-colored flower and the words “White Lotus Resort”
White Lotus resorts, of course, only exist in the fictional world of HBO’s hit series about hospitality and bad behavior, “The White Lotus. “This message is HBO’s way of letting enthusiasts know that filming for the show’s third season had begun.
For years it’s been clear that entertainment productions can be big business for venues, but “The White Lotus” has taken the trend to another level, boosting tourism with an exposé on tourism (at least on the surface), publicly associating it with tourism. After two seasons, the biting and delightful social satire has an influence that far transcends its many golden statuettes and endless inventory of memes. For the industry, this can turn a seasonal region into a must-visit destination, attracting foreign visitors. to White Lotus replacements (the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea in Season 1; the Palacio San Domenico, Taormina, a Four Seasons hotel in Season 2), not to mention the surrounding tourist spots.
While Mike White, the show’s creator, was no doubt drawn to Thailand’s natural beauty and the hospitality of its people, the Thai government has also sweetened the situation considerably. The main financial points have not been disclosed (HBO has not commented), but last year the Thai government approved a plan that increases the reduction for foreign productions to 150 million Thai baht (about $4. 5 million). A few months earlier, the government had announced that it would waive the privately sourced income tax it collected from foreign companies. for five years. In other words, the Season 3 cast, which includes Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Season 1 favorite Natasha Rothwell, probably wouldn’t have to pay Thailand to work in Thailand.
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