Victoria, Canada – On November 5, 2019, at the North American Garden Tourism Conference, in the spirit of the conference theme: “Taking Garden Tourism to the Next Level,” the recipients of the 2019 Garden Tourism Awards were announced.
Garden Tourism can be a significant component of a destination’s tourism offering.
Over 25 million people travel annually in North America to see gardens, and the global market of garden visitors exceeds 250 million. Research indicates that 46 percent of garden visits result in an overnight stay, and the demographic of garden visitors includes all age cohorts. Destination British Columbia estimates the value of garden tourism in the Province of British Columbia alone exceeds $300 million annually.
Latest research in the UK show that Garden Tourism generates almost £3 billion of economic impact. Gardens not only have a significant economic impact but also enhance the tourist experience of a destination, while providing positive social and health benefits.
Garden Tourism Awards
The Garden Tourism Awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of garden experiences as tourism attractions and motivators. The awards are proudly supported by the Canadian Garden Council, American Public Gardens Association and Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens and sponsored by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
2019 Canadian Garden Tourism Award Winners
The Canadian Garden Council is honoured to announce the following award recipients:
1. Garden of the Year
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, ON
Sponsored by: Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
2. Botanical Garden of the Year
VanDusen Gardens, BC
Sponsored by: Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
3. New Garden Experience of the Year
University of Alberta Botanic Garden – Aga Khan Garden, AB
Sponsored by: Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
4. Garden Destination of the Year
Victoria, BC
5. Garden Festival of the Year
International Garden Festival, QC
6. Flower Festival of the Year
Chilliwack Tulip Festival, BC
7. Garden Exhibition of the Year
Mosaïculture Gatineau, QC
8. Garden Event of the Year
The Artful Garden, ON
9. Destination Garden Centre of the Year
Minter Country Garden Store, BC
Sponsored by: Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
10. Garden Community Destination of the Year
Trail, BC
11. Garden Initiative of the Year
Diversity Garden, Assiniboine Park, MB
Sponsored by: Enterprise Canada
12. Web Site of the Year
Royal Botanical Gardens, ON
Sponsored by: Enterprise Canada
13. Garden Media Person of the Year
Tara Nolan, ON
Sponsored by: Enterprise Canada
14. Garden Media of the Year
Savvy Gardening, NS
Sponsored by: Enterprise Canada
15. Garden Marketing Campaign of the Year
Garden Promenade, ON
16. Garden Person of the Year
Harry Jongerden, ON
Sponsored by: Enterprise Canada
“In the spirit of highlighting North America’s most dynamic garden experiences, we are honoured to announce the 2019 recipients of the ‘Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For’ Garden Tourism Awards,” said Michel Gauthier, Executive Director of the Canadian Garden Council.
2019 TOP 10 NORTH AMERICAN GARDENS WORTH TRAVELLING FOR
(in alphabetical order)
1. Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia
2. The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia
3. Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, Pennsylvania
4. Francisco Javier Clavijero Botanic Garden, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
5. Ganna Walska Lotusland, Montecito, California
6. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
7. Montreal Botanical Garden/Jardin botanique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec
8. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Lethbridge, Alberta
9. Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, Utah
10. Vallarta Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Vallarta), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Canadian Garden Council
The Canadian Garden Council is the national association for provincial and national garden organizations. Its vision is to champion the garden experience sector’s contributions to the wellbeing of Canadians, the sustainability of our communities and to promote the joys and benefits of gardens, landscapes and green infrastructure. The Council manages: Garden Days, Canada’s Garden Route, Garden Tourism Awards and the Garden Tourism Conference.
American Public Gardens Association
The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture, encouraging best practices, offering educational and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of members, programs and public gardens worldwide. Working with members and others to strengthen and shape public horticulture, the organization provides the tools and support industry professionals need to better serve the public while preserving and celebrating plants creatively and sustainably.
Mexican Association of Botanic Gardens
The Mexican Botanical Gardens Association is a scientific and educational community that brings together all the public botanical gardens in Mexico. In addition to a variety of objectives related to plant conservation, it seeks to link these public spaces with people, promoting the understanding of our “plantástico” (“plantastic”) world. All Mexican botanical gardens are committed to the conservation of national and global plant diversity and its associated traditional knowledge. Mexican botanic gardens are convinced that a nuclear part of the conservation and sustainability of plant diversity involves creating a stronger relationship between plants and people, or between people and plants.
Visit the internationally famous Vallarta Botanical Garden located just 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200 and easily accessible by public transportation and taxi. This 64 acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden have something fun for everyone. Over 200 species of birds have been observed on the Garden’s grounds. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the jungle river. See plantings of vanilla, chocolate, and hundreds of other botanical delights! Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served in the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant from 10 am to 5 pm. The Garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays from April 1 to December 1). Garden admission is just $200 pesos. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.
Click HERE to learn more about Vallarta Botanical Garden.
