Garden tourism

**1. History of Garden Tourism:**
– In China, private gardens like the Classical Gardens of Suzhou were open to the public.
– Japanese gardens were initially exclusive to elite visitors.
– European royal palace gardens had public access areas.
– Early garden tourists such as Michel de Montaigne and John Evelyn documented their visits.
– Restoration efforts for famous gardens have varied globally.

**2. Garden Tours and Literature:**
– Early garden tourists like Michel de Montaigne, John Evelyn, and Fynes Moryson recorded their experiences.
– Maggie Campbell-Culver wrote about John Evelyn’s passion for gardens.
– Garden literature has played a role in promoting garden tourism.
– Writers and travelers have shown interest in garden tours.

**3. Charity Schemes in England and Wales:**
– The National Gardens Scheme in England and Wales opened private gardens for charity.
– The Yellow Book served as a guide for garden tours for charity.
– Owners of private gardens collected fees for charity donations.
– The National Trust collaborated with the National Gardens Scheme for garden tours.
– The scheme has raised significant funds for charity over the years.

**4. Popular Garden Tourism Destinations:**
– Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Stourhead in England, Versailles in France, Keukenhof in the Netherlands, Alhambra in Spain, Taj Mahal in India, Mainau Island in Germany, Villa d’Este in Italy, Longwood Gardens in the US, and Ryōan-ji in Japan are popular garden tourism sites.

**5. Types, Benefits, Events, and Impact of Garden Tourism:**
– **Types:** Historic gardens, botanical gardens, contemporary gardens, therapeutic gardens, sustainable gardens.
– **Benefits:** Promotes mental well-being, supports local economies, preserves cultural heritage, encourages environmental conservation, offers educational opportunities.
– **Popular Destinations:** Kew Gardens, London; Butchart Gardens, Canada; Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands; Jardim Botânico, Brazil; Versailles Gardens, France.
– **Events and Activities:** Garden tours, workshops, flower shows, photography competitions, garden festivals.
– **Impact:** Boosts tourism industry, enhances community pride, contributes to garden maintenance, raises awareness about horticulture, fosters cross-cultural exchanges.