Regenerative Spaces for Hospitality. Exploring Innovative Design Strategies for Sustainable Tourism Experiences

Contemporary tourism, particularly hospitality spaces, have a significant impact on natural ecosystems (U.N., 2023). This paper discusses how design can support the transition of space-product-service systems for hospitality into sustainable systems, with a focus on spaces. Employing a regenerative approach to manage the complexity of those systems, processes that restore biodiversity, repair damage caused by human actions, and regenerate natural ecosystems can be described. This will result in a net positive impact and the restoration of conditions that allow for the coexistence of plant, animal, and human species. In the first part, the paper presents a research-based approach that offers a conceptual framework for integrating design-oriented processes into the development of hospitality spaces in the tourism sector. The second part presents the development of a pilot case study, Hòstraka, a regenerative floating resort, using a design practice-based approach. This case study could serve as a practical example for stake-holders. Hòstraka, winning project of Sustainable Hospitality Challenge 2023, focuses on aquatic ecosystems due to the alarming state of water pollution and the importance of water for future water-based tourism. As a nature-inspired concept, the project combines a water filtration system to collect microplastics with immersive experiences for guests to encourage behavioral changes and establish a product-space-service system that enhances sustainability in tourism. The paper contributes to the advancement of sustainable tourism with a focus on hospitality spaces by introducing and improving design strategies that implement regenerative approaches to design for hospitality.