Oh! No, that's not the plan. If going the 'building the deck around the tub" plan, I would place the hot tub on framed gravel, but still ask the contractor to pour footings.
But after spending a bunch of time on the design, I think it will be hard to implement that approach -- in order to ensure access to the entire tub, I'd need to build in removeable hatch panels/step to the design around the hot tub, leaving me almost no sitting room. I also think it would make the deck higher than I was hoping for (privacy issues, etc).
I'm currently thinking it's a better idea to just create a low floating deck that is reinforced in the hot tub area to be sure that it can carry the load. Some sources have suggested concrete deck blocks on the crushed rock/sand, but I'm thinking I should have the footings poured. It will probably be about 7" above grade. Thoughts?