RESORT HOTEL LANDSCAPE AS AN INTERNATIONAL MEGATREND

International tourism has catalyzed a massive transformation of the environment into resort hotel landscapes that are having an impact on the marketing of the hospitality industry as well as the guests' experience of foreign destinations. This article initiates a comparative, cross-national evaluation of the hotel landscape megatrend, with a special focus on the image-boosting values of "placeness". It identifies a series of "themes," involving heritage preservation and interpretation; contrast, continuity, and spatial dimension of the landscape experience; evocation of the geographical context; and the lure and symbolism of water. It is posited that landscape concepts will be a key to gaining the competitive edge during the boom in international resorts. © 1991.