Thailand tourism gets a 'White Lotus' boost: And so does travel insurance

Thailand has always been one of the top getaways for Indians. In 2024, a record 2.1 million Indians visited Thailand. Thailand, once again, is experiencing a fresh wave of popularity due to the global buzz of The White Lotus. Filmed against the beautiful backdrops of Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui, The White Lotus has put Thailand in the centre. 

This hit HBO series very beautifully portrays the serene beaches of Thailand, the calm resorts and the wonderful cultural charms. With people from all over the globe visiting Thailand, it is no surprise that the number of Indian tourists here is rising, too. With so many people visiting Thailand, another industry has seen a boom- travel insurance. Increasing awareness, affordable premiums and convenience are playing an essential role in the popularity of insurance for travellers in Thailand. 

The White Lotus effect in Thailand
In 2025, Thailand is expected to rank among the top 15 global destinations, marking a 12% increase. After the release of The White Lotus Season 2, Sicily saw a 32% rise in searches. With the season 3 release, Thailand is expected to break tourism records this year. 

The release of The White Lotus Season 2 has led to an 88% increase in searches for Koh Samui. As for the hotel reservations, they've already gone up by 44%. The government predicts that the influence of The White Lotus may lead to Koh Samui having a great tourist season this year. 

Getting travel insurance for a trip to Thailand offers more security and affordability. Compared to other destinations, the visitors experience peace of mind and protection, which instigates them to revisit the place. 

Why are travellers buying travel insurance for the visit?
Thailand travel insurance offers security and protection to all travellers visiting here. On average, people spend around 25 days travelling in Thailand. Uncertain scenarios can arise at any time during this duration. The insurance can, therefore, help to cover these, ranging from trip cancellations to medical emergencies. 

Most people are purchasing the insurance in case they wish to extend their stay. Even if they cancel their trip due to a change of plans, the Thailand travel insurance will cover it, preventing them from losing out on all their money. 

The growing demand for travel insurance in Thailand
Extended stays have become a new norm in Thailand tourism. While earlier travellers used to stay for a maximum of 15 days, that has now increased by 66%. This has fueled an increasing demand for travel insurance in Thailand. Most people prefer purchasing insurance to cover their extended trips. 

Medical emergencies can arise anytime during the trip. While Thailand is affordable, medical treatment can get costly. If you have Thailand travel insurance, at least you can be at peace of mind since the insurance will cover the medical costs. 

Apart from extended stays and medical posts, people are also purchasing insurance to fit their specific needs. Thailand is also becoming an adventure hub, with most tourists visiting this place to try off-beat destinations. Therefore, numerous travellers are customising their insurance policies and including adventure covers or add-ons. The option to customise has yet again increased the demand for it to offer broader coverage. 

Why do travellers buy Thailand travel insurance? 
For travellers heading to Thailand after being mesmerised by its beauty on The White Lotus, good travel insurance can offer numerous benefits. Some of the key reasons to purchase travel insurance (mainly due to its coverage) are as follows:

    1. Trip cancellation coverage
As mentioned before, several travellers plan to extend their stay. On the other hand, some travellers also have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances like travel problems or personal emergencies. 

Either way, without an insurance policy, you would lose out a lot of money. The travel insurance provides coverage for such trip cancellation scenarios, protecting against hefty financial losses. 

    2. Adventure and sports travel insurance
While The White Lotus showed the calm and serene side of Thailand, there's more to this country. Several travellers visit Thailand to explore off-beat destinations and try out numerous adventure activities like motorcycle riding, ziplining, surfing and scuba diving. 

Standard travel insurance often excludes these high-risk activities. However, adventure travellers seek these coverages through add-ons to stay protected against any accident due to. After all, there shouldn't be a pause to the fun and thrilling experiences during the adventure. 

    3. Medical emergency and evacuation needs
Illness and injuries can happen anytime. Now, that can be a problem, especially when you're on a trip, particularly internationally. If the condition becomes too serious, you may also need medical evacuation. 

Medical evacuation, especially air ambulance, can be pretty expensive. If you don't have insurance, you will have to cover the expenses from your pocket. On the other hand, if you have insurance, all your medical needs will be covered, even evacuation. The insurer will arrange all facilities, ensuring you can travel back home safely in case of emergencies. 

   4. Delays and interruptions in coverage
Travel delays and interruptions are a common part of vacation, especially when you're travelling internationally. However, these minute things can disrupt your entire experience. 

If you have comprehensive travel insurance, you will receive complete financial protection in these scenarios. Whether it is a delayed flight or an unexpected situation, the insurance will cover it all. As a result, you can easily continue your journey without having to worry about anything else, especially the disruptions. 

Choose the best Thailand travel insurance.

By mid-June 2025, Thailand will have already welcomed over one million Indian tourists. This is a sign of growth in the Thailand tourism sector and the popularity of Thailand among Indians. As more travellers hop on to the Thai adventure, the popularity of travel insurance is also seeing a drive, especially in terms of creating awareness and managing trip costs. 

Before visiting, it becomes essential to choose the right Thailand travel insurance plan that fits your needs. Here are a few things to take care of:

  1. Always be mindful of the coverage provided by the policy, like medical expenses, trip cancellation and delays, personal liability and more. 
    2. Go through the terms and conditions properly to understand the deductibles, inclusions and exclusions. 
    3. Check if there is any pre-existing clause about an age limit. 
    4. You can include add-ons for extra coverage to improve your policy. 

Thailand's place in the global tourism market
The White Lotus has played an essential role in boosting Thailand's tourism market. The country is showing no signs of slowing down. Moreover, it provides accommodation for everyone, from affordable to luxury. 

The White Lotus drew some attention to Thailand, and the surge keeps on growing. The current trend shows that tourism in Thailand will keep growing in the coming years. This increase in tourism will prove to be beneficial for hotels, tour operators, airlines and insurance providers. Moreover, adventure activities will also see a boost in this region. 

Conclusion
Thailand has always been one of the top places to visit. Its feature in The White Lotus has, however, revived the interest of people in Thailand. The vibrant landscapes and fun culture have made a place for themselves in the hearts of people. With more people visiting Thailand, the demand for travel insurance to offer protection is also increasing. Thus, it is best to choose Thailand travel insurance that offers maximum coverage and protection so that the travellers can explore the destination peacefully. 
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.