Author(s)

S. Doganer

Abstract

This study aims to explore the economic, political, social, cultural, organizational and time-dependent changes in tourism, and the impact of such changes on resort hotel design, and to discuss renovation of resort hotels in transition, using as a case study the city of Antalya, Turkey. This research hopes to assist in developing a new, more conscious approach to the design process of these buildings. In the second half of the 20th century, mass tourism began to spread; the profile of tourists, as well as their expectations and demands, have changed. Consumption now dominates the tourism market. Moreover, there have been significant economic, political, social, cultural and organizational changes that have affected the tourism industry. In order to remain competitive, resort hotels have also changed, renovated and evolved, in an effort to meet consumers and tour operators’ expanding demands, to accommodate more stringent international environmental standards, to keep up with recent developments in management, technology and design, to increase their market share and ensure repeat business, and to provide the ‘new’, the ‘popular’ and the ‘different’ that so many tourists have come to expect. Today, it is apparent that the demands of consumers who frequent resort hotels have changed; it is now insufficient simply to provide accommodations. Consumers expect entertainment, adventure and seemingly-limitless facilities. In this intense rivalry, it is necessary to be distinctive, to present a ‘new’ image, as well as to offer various recreational facilities, in order to survive in the market. Likewise, other elements once considered fashionable, may no longer be relevant to the modern traveler, since their tastes tend to change rapidly. However, those resorts focusing on diversity in their facilities, resorts that offer performances, shows and activities geared toward fulfilling guests’ demands for ‘experiencing the different’ without conceding architectural quality and uniqueness, will be more successful in the long term. As a consequence of these developments in the tourism industry, the number of resort hotels in Antalya has increased rapidly

Keywords

architecture, design, resort hotel, change, transition, renovation, sustainability