Garden tourism has experienced a large and increasing demand on a global scale. Over 150 million people all over the world visited public gardens in 2000 (W. Jackson and L. Sutherland, 2000); In the United States the number of travelers visiting gardens has surpassed the number of people visiting Disneyland and Disneyworld combined (R. Benfield, 2013); in Great Britain, historical gardens are among the main attractions (there were approximately 20 million recorded paid entries to gardens belonging to the National Trust between March, 2013 and February, 2014 (The Annual Report, 2013/14); The gardens of Chateau de Villandry are among the monuments with record visits in France, with approximately 350,000 visitors a year (Gardens and Tourism, 2012).
This phenomenon is attributed to an array of factors: gardens being propitious environments for socializing and engaging in leisurely and recreational outdoor activities; people´s affinity and curiosity regarding plants and gardening; the possibility of sensorial experiences and closeness to nature associated with sustainable practices; the relationship between biodiversity and cultural and historical richness, as well as the demand for special events, like large flower and landscape architecture shows.
Similarly in Portugal, garden tourism shows dynamism, both on an academic and business level. The foundation of the Portuguese Association of Historical Gardens (2013) contributed heavily to the study, conservation, appreciation and promotion of historical gardens. Currently, there are several companies dedicated to animation tourism operating in Cultural and Landscape Touring. “Parques de Sintra” is a success story: in 2015, the company experienced a 20% increase in visitors over the previous year. In Madeira, 583,583 paid entries to just three gardens – Botanical Garden, Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Palheiro Ferreiro Gardens – ensured an income of about € 3.5 million in 2008 (R. Quintal, 2011).
In the Azores, there are no global studies or statistics that allow for an assessment of the importance of this niche market. However, Azorean gardens have been gaining international recognition. In 2014, Terra Nostra Park was named among the 270 best gardens in the world (Gardener´s Garden, Phaidon) and in 2013 it received the Garden of Excellence (ICS) award. The realization of 5 international meetings of Ancient Camellias and the organization of several thematic tours attest to the potential of the destination.
In this context, this conference will explore the role of historical gardens within cultural tourism, and will host a program centered on scientific research and communication tools, with the goal of improving the visiting experience for garden visitors. Similarly, the conference aims to reflect on recent trends of public intervention in the protection, conservation and restauration of landscape heritage, as well as on the role of owners and gardeners.
KEY THEMES
Gardens in the context of Cultural Tourism
Scientific research on garden conservation and environmental sustainability
Evaluation goals within UNESCO for Historical Gardens,
Tourism as a vehicle for the conservation of gardens and cultural landscapes
Garden conservation and protection versus tourism exploration
Management and tourism marketing of gardens
Understanding the relationship between the scientific community, the public and private stakeholders
Representations of local identity through the lens of garden tourism
The relationship between cultural sustainable tourism and local development
CONTACT
Please email any questions
to:
maria.iw.albergaria@uac.pt
margarida.s.o.rodrigues@gmail.com
Organization Committee
Isabel Albergaria, University of the Azores, Portugal
Andreína Rebelo, Azores Tourism Observatory, Portugal
Carlos Santos, Azores Tourism Observatory, Portugal
Duarte Nuno Chaves, Center for Global History (CHAM-A), University of Azores, Portugal
Scientific Committee
Isabel Albergaria, University of the Azores, Portugal
Carlos Santos, University of the Azores, Portugal
Didier Wirth, Chairman of the European Institute for Gardens and Landscapes (IEJ&P)
Cristina Castel-Branco, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon
Raimundo Quintal, Centre for Geographical Studies – Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Lisbon
Eduarda Paz, Research Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra
Organization
CHAM / NOVA FCSH
OTA
Collaboration
BENSAUDE HOTELS
Jardim José do Canto
Quinta do Bom Despacho
