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The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the quality function deployment (QFD) process can be applied to capture and translate spoken and unspoken customer requirements into actionable service features in a hotel landscaping design case.

This study was undertaken with the aim of showing how the QFD methodology could be used to design hotel landscaping. The methodology is a customer‐driven process which integrates customer requirements into every aspect of the design and delivery of products and services. Understanding what the customer desires from a product or service is crucial to the successful design and development of new products and services.

This research illustrates that quality improvement projects can benefit from the QFD process to connect customer requirements to the internal procedures of the organization to exceed customer expectations and create a brand identity. This paper can be used as a case study to demonstrate how the QFD process can be effectively applied in the design of hotel landscaping or similar cases in other services.

The literature regarding the application of the QFD process in the hotel and hospitality industry is limited, let alone the application of this process in hotel landscaping design. Hence, the shortage of QFD application in the hotel landscaping design has motivated this unique study of applying the QFD process to landscaping design.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a holistic way of incorporating biophilic building design that creates a restorative environment attractive to prospective urban hotel employees. This study additionally examines the role of perceived well-being from nature attributes and associated impacts on emotions and likelihood to choose to work for a hotel with nature attributes.

This study used a conjoint analysis to detect the most resotrative individual and combinations of biophilic attributes that can improve employee well-being. In addition, nature attributes influence on emotions and intentions to work for a hotel were analyzed.

Results showed that not all nature attributes are equally evaluated by urban hotel prospective employees. In this study, the authors found that natural lighting, outdoor green views and indoor landscaping are important factors in the evaluation of an urban hotel with biophilic features. However, this tendency varies when the sample was divided by prospective employees’ who perceived higher or lower levels of well-being would be influenced by nature attributes.

Unlike previous studies, the authors tested a multiattribute design and results demonstrate the perceived restorative effect of nature attributes in an environment on prospective employees. In addition to extending the biophilic design in hospitality literature, the authors provide practical suggestions to urban hotels incorporating biophilic design and propose that specific elements have the propensity to enhance the well-being of prospective employees and reinforce positive emotions and intentions to work for urban hotels that incorporate them.

One of the major attractions of travel has always been exposure to the various components that make up another culture. Traditions, customs, religion, ceremonies, rituals, the arts, crafts, language, dress, food, architecture and landscaping are all elements of what is now broadly called “cultural tourism.” In this essay we examine hotel development of on‐site cultural tourism elements that serve both to expand opportunities for guests to learn about local culture and traditions and to increase the hotel's attraction to potential guests. In Sections 1–4 we present briefcase studies of three prominent hotels in Southeast Asia (the Grand Hyatt Bali, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, and the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok) that have developed an array of cultural tourism offerings based on local cultural patterns, the physical setting of the hotel, and its clientele. Based on these three studies, we provide in Section 5 specific guidelines for other hotels to consider in developing their own cultural tourism offerings. In Section 6, we address the role of governments in encouraging or mandating the development of certain types of on‐site cultural tourism elements. In Section 7, we summarize our conclusions.

Given the extensive destruction resulting from the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that destroyed and damaged resort complexes in southern Thailand, the purpose of this research paper is to focus on the planning of architecture of resorts in two layers: the relationship of structures and land use to the natural environment, and the identification of specific design flaws that resulted in the loss of life.

An international collaborative effort led to site visits by our research team to the hardest‐hit resort areas of Khao Lak, Takua Pa, and Ko Phi Phi on December 29, 2004‐January 6, 2005, and in February 2005. The research team had direct contact with the adverse effects of the tsunami and gained insightful understanding on how structures and faulty architectural designs worsened the disaster and obstructed the process of saving lives. Analysis of these effects were then compiled and used to underpin subsequent proposals for resort reconstruction to minimize future destruction which may result from such calamities.

Close scrutiny and subsequent analysis of various factors which magnified the destruction and damage caused by the tsunami resulted in action plan proposals for sustainable resort development aimed at avoiding a repeat of the tragedy. These include responses to site, architecture, structures, building services and landscaping. More specifically proposals were made on issues of relocation, modifications of design flaws, introduction of escape routes, safer rooms, restoration of waterways, co‐generation, tree plantation and incorporation of natural landscape.

Most of the information and data were gathered first hand at the location mentioned. More studies are needed to reinforce and further validate the proposed measures as generally applicable in similar locations.

An action plan outlining measures aimed at minimizing damage from such natural disasters could provide a useful resource in future planning of resorts in tsunami prone locations.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.