Receptive Landscapes: Designing Tourist Destinations with Sustainability in Mind

The UAE has made its mark on the world stage with luxury, innovation, and architectural grandeur. But in a post-pandemic world, another factor is driving travel decisions: sustainability. Tourists are seeking destinations that align with their environmental values — and for developers of hotels, resorts, and entertainment hubs, the landscape is fast becoming a competitive differentiator.

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Green Experiences as a Market Expectation

Today’s high-end traveller expects more than manicured lawns and exotic palms. They want immersive natural environments, native biodiversity, and evidence that water and energy are used responsibly. In short, they want the landscape to reflect a destination’s environmental commitment.

From eco-resorts in the Empty Quarter to nature-integrated wellness centres in Ras Al Khaimah, sustainable landscaping is being used to shape guest experience, improve resource efficiency, and boost a brand’s green credibility.

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Receptive Landscapes: Function Meets Beauty

A receptive landscape is one that welcomes not only guests, but also the environment it occupies. It responds to climate, supports local flora and fauna, and is built to thrive with minimal intervention.

In practice, this means designing with drought-resistant species, maximising shade with native trees, reducing turf areas, and creating habitats that attract birds, butterflies, and pollinators. It also means integrating green features into the architecture — like green walls in spa courtyards, rooftop herb gardens for kitchens, and shaded walkways that reduce heat.

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Hospitality Developers Get Serious About Green

Hospitality groups such as Kerzner, Emaar Hospitality, and Jumeirah Group are investing in sustainable design as a core brand principle. Landscaping is now a budgeted line item from day one — not a finishing touch.

Examples include:

• Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, where native plants and coastal dunes are preserved as part of the resort’s eco-sensitive footprint.

• The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, which features a conservation-led landscape design that blends into the natural desert habitat.

• JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, where hydroponic gardens supply on-site restaurants and reduce the resort’s food miles.‎

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Landscape as a Brand Narrative

Travelers increasingly evaluate hotels on sustainability credentials. The landscape is one of the most visible expressions of those values. A property filled with thirsty ornamentals, chemical-treated lawns, and non-native plantings can undermine a brand’s green messaging.

Conversely, a landscape designed with biodiversity, shade, and resource efficiency sends a powerful signal — that this destination is in harmony with nature, not in opposition to it.

This message resonates not just with guests, but also with booking platforms, travel influencers, and certification bodies like Green Globe and EarthCheck.

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Economic Upside of Eco-Landscaping

Sustainable landscapes are not just ethical; they’re economical. Smart irrigation systems, native plant palettes, and reduced turf areas lower water and maintenance costs. Over time, these savings can be substantial — especially in the UAE, where water is a premium commodity.

In addition, properties with visible green features often experience higher guest satisfaction, better online reviews, and longer stays. When guests feel relaxed, connected to nature, and aware of a destination’s values, they’re more likely to return — and to recommend it.

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The Role of Myplant & Garden in the Hospitality Landscape

The Myplant & Garden Exhibition in Dubai offers an essential platform for hospitality developers, architects, and operations managers to source sustainable solutions and network with green suppliers.

Highlights include:

• Showcases of climate-resilient plants suited for coastal, desert, and mountain terrains

• Landscape lighting systems that minimize energy use and light pollution

• Exhibitors offering vertical farming modules, organic composting systems, and nature play elements for family destinations

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Barriers to Adoption and How to Address Them

Despite the benefits, some developers hesitate due to misconceptions around aesthetics or cost. There’s a lingering belief that sustainable landscapes are less visually impressive or require expensive technology. Myplant & Garden provides hands-on demonstrations and peer-led sessions to debunk these myths.

Another barrier is the lack of local horticultural knowledge in some project teams. The exhibition’s technical seminars and one-on-one consultations offer direct access to experts who understand how to design for the UAE’s microclimates.

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Future Trends in Green Hospitality

Looking ahead, the integration of landscape and wellness will grow. Expect to see more:

• Outdoor wellness circuits designed around native vegetation

• Biodiversity trails and interpretive signage

• Resort zones that serve as carbon sinks through rewilding

• Culinary gardens tied directly to F&B programming

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These aren’t just “nice to have” features — they’re part of a global shift in hospitality toward regenerative tourism. Properties that align with this shift will stand out in an increasingly sustainability-driven market.

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Conclusion: Designing for the Conscious Traveller

In the UAE’s competitive tourism economy, sustainability is a brand asset — and landscaping is a tangible way to express it. Receptive landscapes are smart, sensitive, and strategic. They elevate the guest experience while minimizing environmental impact.

At Myplant & Garden, hospitality developers can find the tools, talent, and technologies to make sustainability more than a promise — they can make it part of the landscape itself.

With the Green Agenda 2030 guiding the future of UAE development, tourism must evolve — not just in architecture or amenities, but in how places feel and function. Landscapes are where this transformation becomes real.