The 'White Lotus' effect: How fabulous TV locations are reshaping luxury travel and infuriating locals | Fortune

The “White Lotus” effect is reshaping luxury travel by turning TV filming locations into high-end destinations and, in some cases, provoking local anger. The article links the show’s next season—filmed around St.-Tropez and Cannes and expected to arrive in 2027—to a similar “spillover” atmosphere along the French Riviera, including Bandol and the Zannier Île de Bendor resort. It notes that set-jetting can drive demand: a University of Montana report says “Yellowstone” helped motivate 2.1 million travelers to visit Montana in 2021, generating more than $730 million in revenue. In parallel, Thailand tourism has risen 300% since the “White Lotus” effect, according to Thailand’s department.