INTEGRATION OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN TECHNIQUES IN RESORT HOTEL SHIRORO, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Tourism involves a person travelling to a destination for leisure outside their usual or immediate environment for a period of time but not more than a year. Tourism has been established as one of the fastest growing sectors in the world’s economy at large and an effective way to revitalise any economy. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), it is estimated that by 2020 there will be 1.6 billion international tourist arrivals worldwide, as it represents 30% of the world’s exports of services. Niger state is blessed with abundance of natural features including land forms that could be explored and used to promote the tourism sector in the state and the country. Environmentally, tourism and its interrelated products such as hotels and recreational facilities can have a hostile effect on the environment, but when suitably developed and managed, they can serve as mechanisms for protecting the natural environment. This is conceivable when the designers utilize environmentally safe innovations in the development of such facilities. The aim of the research is to integrate landscape design techniques in resort hotels to enhance tourism potentials. The measures that could be used include identifying different landscape techniques like sustainable site design, water management, utilizing site grading where necessary and planting for aesthetics. The research instrument adopted was through observation schedule and oral interview. In conclusion, integrating landscape design techniques in resort hotels will aid in harmonizing the natural landscape and the built environment, which in turn improves the overall well-being of those that seek reprieve from their normal busy lives and decide to reside in these environments.