Blog article
Oct 03, 2025
The White Lotus Effect: Are Travelers Searching for Bigger Adventures?
Behold: The White Lotus Effect
There is an unexpected cultural force shaping the way people are choosing their next travel escape: The White Lotus. Some critics view the show’s influence purely through the lens of location-based tourism, predicting visitor surges in the show’s filming locations (Hawaii, Italy and now, Thailand). But we see something deeper at play. In our work with hospitality clients, our ongoing research, and our personal travels, we see that the White Lotus effect points to a rising desire for experiences that blend the known and expected with the unknown and newly discovered. It is an intoxicating cocktail of luxury and exploration, indulgence with a dash of surprise. Travelers are not just booking trips. They are seeking a feeling, one rooted in discovery, emotional resonance, and stories worth retelling.
According to a 2023 report from Allied Market Research, the global adventure tourism market is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2032, from $325 billion in 2022. Travelers are seeking more than just rest and relaxation. They want to hike the cliffs of Sicily, dive into the traditions of the South Pacific, or eat something they can’t pronounce under a sky full of stars. That desire shapes itineraries, of course. It also shapes how we design hospitality spaces.
At DADO, we see this shift as an opportunity. The rise in “adventure luxury” invites designers to think differently about hospitality. What if a resort could evoke a sense of mystery before the guest even checks in? What if the layout of a resort encouraged wandering and detours instead of direct routes? What if a ceiling detail or a hidden courtyard could tell a story, or transport someone to a different moment in time?
The White Lotus has glamorized the idea of the unknown. But for us, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation.
— Studio DADO
Form Follows Feeling and the Less-Beaten Track
Our design philosophy—Form Follows Feeling—is rooted in the idea that space should trigger a positive emotional response. We create architecture that doesn’t just house the experience but becomes part of it. Whether that’s a lounge that recalls the texture of volcanic rock or a spa inspired by ancestral rituals, we begin with the mood and design from there.
Flexibility continues to be a crucial design element for us. As travelers look for more curated, often unrepeatable experiences, hotels and cruise ships are evolving. A restaurant might need to serve as both a fine dining destination and a gathering point for local storytelling. Guest suites need to feel transportive in a way that’s authentic, not staged. Design can balance this duality by choosing materials, layouts, and lighting strategies that evoke a specific place, both geographically and emotionally.
The White Lotus has glamorized the idea of the unknown. But for us, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation. That feeling doesn’t always come from spectacle. Sometimes, it comes through small things: a carved wood detail, a rhythmic tile pattern, or the flicker of light through woven textures. It can also come from the sculptures and paintings we commission from local artisans, striking that perfect note between novelty and familiarity. At its best, hospitality design has the power to nudge a traveler toward introspection, curiosity, and wonder. A good trip creates a memory, but a great trip can transform a guest.
At DADO, the deeper message is about creating spaces that feel like an escape or cue a transformation.
The Luxury Adventure
At the same time that more travelers are seeking adventure, many are also craving the ability to slow down and savor each moment. Luxury travel advisor Virtuoso has identified a growing preference for longer stays in a single location as one of the key trends for 2025. Rather than packing multiple destinations into a single itinerary, travelers are opting for depth over breadth. One of Virtuoso’s partners, and one of our clients, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already responding to this shift, adding more overnight port stays to its 2025 itineraries.
This slower pace makes design even more critical. When guests are spending more time in one place, spaces must offer more than beauty. They must offer meaning. Impeccable design has the power to unfold gradually, revealing new stories, textures, and emotions the longer a guest stays. It transforms a room into a memory, and a destination into something that stays with them long after they return home.
As adventure travel continues to grow—especially among younger generations—brands must meet that moment. And that’s where design comes in. At DADO, we aren’t just creating hospitality spaces. We are building the backdrop for someone’s best story. And today, that story is about seeking something new and unexpected—both in the world and within themselves.
Yohandel Ruiz
Yohandel Ruiz is a Founding Partner of Studio DADO, the award-winning boutique design practice based in Miami. For Yohandel, design is a celebration. For Yohandel Ruiz, design is a celebration. He appreciates every detail and searches for the unexpected to create places and spaces that give guests meaningful experiences and long-lasting memories. Yohandel co-founded Studio DADO in 2016, building it into an award-winning boutique design firm in Miami.
