Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin Doctoral Tourism and Food 2010-01-01 Garden Tourism in Ireland: an Exploation of Product Group Co- operation, Links and Relationships Catherine Gorman Technological University Dublin, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/tourdoc Part of the Business Commons Recommended Citation Gorman, C.E. (2010). Garden Tourism in Ireland An Exploration of Product Group - Co-operation, Links and Relationships. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Trinity College Dublin. doi:10.21427/D7TK6S This Theses, Ph.D is brought to you for free and open access by the Tourism and Food at ARROW@TU Dublin. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral by an authorized administrator of ARROW@TU Dublin. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License Garden Tourism in Ireland An Exploration of Product Group Co-operation, Links and Relationships Catherine E. Gorman PhD 2010 Garden Tourism in Ireland An Exploration of Product Group Co-operation, Links and Relationships A thesis presented to Dublin University by Catherine E. Gorman B.Sc. (NUI) M.Appl.Sc. (NUI) MBS (NUI) In fulfilment of the Requirement of PhD Submitted to Department of Geography, Dublin University, Trinity College Supervisor: Prof. Desmond A. Gillmor 2010 Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree at this, or any other university. I authorise that the University of Dublin to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorise the University of Dublin to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means in total, or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. Signed: Catherine E. Gorman Date: May 2010 ii Summary This thesis explores the use of co-operative approaches, links and relationships that exist (or not) in the garden tourism sector, and whether the sector constitutes sustainable tourism provision. A brief history of gardens and garden tourism contextualises the research. A broad range of literature was consulted and reviewed with pertinent material sourced from a number of disciplines using a geographical framework and including garden history, geography, business, tourism, marketing and sociology. From this review a number of key constructs were identified which formed the basis of a conceptual framework and input to a theme-based approach which was used in the primary research. The research methodology consisted primarily of a semi-structured interview guided by a qualitative philosophy. The epistemology stemmed from a phenomenological viewpoint, and as the researcher has prior significant involvement and experience in the garden tourism sector, an interpretivistic approach was considered most appropriate for the research process. The interviews were undertaken in five stages and addressed to key informants, gardens owners/managers from Ireland, garden group coordinators, network coordinators and to a CEO of a destination area. The main themes of than interviews focused on; the garden tourism product, perceived importance of the garden tourism product, embedded issues and the exploration of co-operation, links and relationships undertaken by those interviewed. Characteristics essential for co-operative success, barriers to success and the use of communication and marketing tools were also addressed. Analysis was initially undertaken using lexicographical association and frequencies, and the findings which are documented in order of the themes of the interviews were tabulated in order to manage the information. As the focus of the research was on garden tourism, those that had the most significant input into the sector were documented together in the findings chapter; the key informants; gardens owners/managers and garden group coordinators. In order to explore a more recent development in co-operation and networks initiated by Fáilte Ireland, two network co-ordinators were interviewed, though as these were not directly involved in the garden tourism sector, the findings were used in terms of iii discussion. A series of propositional statements emanating from the findings formed the basis of a discussion interview with the final participant of the research. Using the findings from all five stages of participation, further analysis was undertaken using the key constructs as a basis for discussion and from this a number of issues emerged pertinent to the research. Although the participants had a reasonable understanding of the co-operative process, and the characteristics required to ensure success, there was limited evidence to suggest any great degree of horizontal linkage. The support bodies and organisations were the most common link cited by participants. An evaluation of website information supported this conclusion. It was concluded that Garden Owners/Managers have to cope with a multiplicity of identities in negotiating the co-operative process. The identities that influence the process include history and social systems; qualifications and experience; ownership and conflicting objectives and spatiality. Geographical proximity, though important in the literature did not seem to have a significant influence. The concluding chapter considers the pertinent constructs identified in the literature that relate to the findings in the light of multiplicity of identities. A number of pragmatic recommendations address the issue of sustainability within the garden tourism sector. Finally, consideration is given to the benefits of the work and further areas of research. iv Acknowledgements and Dedication I would like to thank the following people who have contributed to both my academic effort and sanity throughout the development and writing of this thesis: Professor Des Gillmor, my supervisor for his patience and direction To all who agreed to participate in the research process The Dublin Institute of Technology for their support My family My colleagues in DIT … but especially Deirdre, Theresa and Ita, who in utilising their powers of motivation helped me, strive to completion and Jane Stacey for the essential task of proof reading the document This work is dedicated to both …. Amy and Daniel with love, and in memory of Dr. G.F and Prof. M.J v Table of Contents DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................................ II SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................................III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION....................................................................................... V Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................X TABLES.........................................................................................................................................................XI ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................................................................................... XII CHAPTER 1..................................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES................................................................... 1 1.3 RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES....................................................................................................... 5 1.4 AN INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM .......................................................................................................... 6 1.5 INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN TOURISM ................................................................................................. 9 1.6 CHAPTER DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................................... 14 1.7 CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER 2................................................................................................................................................... 16 RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................... 16 2.1 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXTUALISATION OF THE RESEARCH.......................................................... 16 PART A A SHORT HISTORY OF GARDENS AND GARDENING..................................................................... 18 2.2 GARDENS AND GARDENING ............................................................................................................... 18 2.3 THE VISITING OF COUNTRY HOUSES AND GARDENS........................................................................