Meghan Markle's Netflix show sparks massive tourism boom in Montecito
Searches for “Montecito” have skyrocketed, with 424,000 online searches since Meghan released her show
Despite mixed reviews, Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has had an unexpected impact—driving a surge in tourism to Montecito, California.
While the show wasn’t filmed at Meghan and Prince Harry’s own home, it was shot at another estate in their exclusive Montecito neighborhood, drawing renewed public interest in the area.
According to new research, searches for “Montecito” have skyrocketed, with 424,000 online searches in the past month alone. In addition, searches for “Montecito hotels” have surged by an astonishing 354%, suggesting a growing number of visitors eager to explore the region.
Samuel Jefferies, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Bókun, explained: “We have seen a surge of interest in the activities Meghan takes part in in her new series, with searches for ‘family cooking classes’ up by 31% and ‘beginners cooking classes’ rising 25% in the past month alone. This indicates a clear rise in interest for family-friendly culinary experiences.”
Beyond tourism, the cooking and wellness themes in Meghan’s series have also influenced online searches: “Wellness retreat California” has risen 29%
“Beekeeping” saw 198,000 searches, increasing by 22% following an episode featuring Meghan learning about honey production.
What's next for Meghan Markle's Netflix show?
Following the success of season one, Netflix has confirmed that With Love, Meghan will return for a second season, though an official release date has yet to be announced.
Meghan’s new show features her "reimagining the genre of lifestyle programming” along with her celebrity friends as they roll “up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same”.
The series is part of Meghan and Prince Harry’s multi-year deal with Netflix, which they signed in 2020. The eight-part lifestyle series will mark Meghan’s return to her roots, featuring hosting and entertaining tips while welcoming celebrity friends on the show.
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