WINNERS OF THE 2019 CANADIAN GARDEN TOURISM AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

WINNERS OF THE 2019 CANADIAN GARDEN TOURISM AWARDS

Victoria, Canada, November 5, 2019

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 per cent 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, the American Public Garden Association and the Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens and sponsored by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

The 2019 Canadian Garden Tourism Award winners are . . .

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

 

  1. Botanical Garden of the Year

                VanDusen Gardens, BC

                Sponsored by:  Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

 

  1. New Garden Experience of the Year

                University of Alberta Botanic Garden – Aga Khan Garden, AB

                Sponsored by:  Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

 

  1. Garden Destination of the Year

                Victoria, BC

                               

  1. Garden Festival of the Year:

International Garden Festival, QC

 

  1. Flower Festival of the Year:

Chilliwack Tulip Festival, BC

 

  1. Garden Exhibition of the Year

Mosaïculture Gatineau, QC

 

  1. Garden Event of the Year

The Artful Garden, ON

 

  1. Destination Garden Centre of the Year

Minter Country Garden Store, BC

                Sponsored by:  Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

 

  1. Garden Community Destination of the Year

Trail, BC

 

  1. Garden Initiative of the Year

Diversity Garden, Assiniboine Park, MB

                Sponsored by:  Enterprise Canada

 

  1. Web Site of the Year

Royal Botanical Gardens, ON

                Sponsored by:  Enterprise Canada

 

  1. Garden Media Person of the Year

Tara Nolan, ON

                Sponsored by:  Enterprise Canada

 

  1. Garden Media of the Year

Savvy Gardening, NS

                Sponsored by:  Enterprise Canada

 

  1. Garden Marketing Campaign of the Year

Garden Promenade, ON

                                                                                                                                               

  1. 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 well-being 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 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: www.publicgardens.org/

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 “plant-astic” 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: www.facebook.com/amjbotanicos/

 

For more information (media only) please contact:

Stephen Murdoch, Enterprise Canada.

Cell:  289-241-3997                          email:  smrdoch@enterprisecanada.com

 

Michel Gauthier, Canadian Garden Council

Tel:  613 301 4554                            email: director@gardencouncil.ca

 

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print