Garden tourism and its potential organization in Canterbury

Abstract

This paper had its origin as a final year tourism research report at Lincoln University. In it we briefly review the concept of garden tourism which includes garden tours, garden festivals and special events, and the potential organization of this particular type of tourism in the Canterbury region. The origins of garden tourism in England and Germany are examined, followed by a review of models, objectives and management for organising garden festivals and special events. A description of a variety of New Zealand garden festivals follows. Results of a recent garden tourism survey are presented prior to a summary of the types of commercial garden tours offered in the Canterbury region. Recommendations and conclusions focus on the possible organisational structure of garden tourism in Canterbury, and on the goals, objectives and organisational development of garden tours and festivals in the region.