
highlights
Mobile Application of Green Gardens Azores Project
The application to support the visit to a group of Azorean gardens, became available to the public free of charge from the day April 22, 2019.

Last Events
Colloquium "Gardens and its visitors: purposes and communication strategies"
28 the July 30, 2019
Description of the Project Green Gardens - Azores
The gardens of the Azores are of significant heritage value, in terms of their history, botany and landscape. The aim of the project is the scientific and technological consolidation of “Garden Tourism” in the Azores, regarding its historic gardens as a specific tourist product with great potential to promote the destination. It raises research issues, such as, the assessment of the environmental, the patrimonial and aesthetic quality of the gardens, based on the findings in various subject areas; the correlations to be established between the vision of the experts and user experiences; and also the most effective communication strategies and mechanisms. It includes a triple component of research, training and the creation of an application for mobile devices and a GreenGA webpage. The scientific results and indicators include the organisation of international workshops and seminars, scientific publications and three informative brochures on the public gardens of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial. It should be pointed out that this project was integrated in the Portuguese tourist board’s strategic framework «Plano de Ação para o Desenvolvimento do Turismo em Portugal 2014-2020» [«Plan of Action for the Development of Tourism in Portugal 2014-2020»].
The main objectives of the project
Investigate, understand and disclose
Investigate, learn and publicize Azores' Gardens as part of a cultural tourism nicheProtect, conserve and improve
To protect, conserve and enhance the landscape heritage of the Azores, particularly of historic gardensEnhance, enrich and evaluate
Improve, enrich and evaluate the experience of visitorsSpecific objectives of the project
Creating scientifically sound contents, based on historic documentation |
Designing and creating guiding materials to help visitors interpret the gardens; innovative solutions are envisaged, resorting to digital interactive storytelling (e.g. through smartphone apps) for a more engaging and enjoyable experience |
Designing and testing marketing strategies tailored to various user profiles; a new brand is envisaged to help support a viable management model |
Promoting knowledge transfer between researchers, managers, caretakers, owners and potential users of the gardens, in order to support strategic decisions concerning conservation |
Activities and scientific results
Sheet Technical Green Gardens - Azores

Project name: Green Gardens - Azores |
CODE OF THE PROJECT: ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000070 |
Main purpose: to contribute to the promotion of the historic gardens of the Azores as a quality tourism asset associated with nature, culture and welfare through conceptualization and development of garden tourism (TJ). This will include: 1. Producing content for visitors based on multi-disciplinary scientific research; 2. Design and implementation of communication and promotion strategies, giving priority to ICT, namely through the establishment of a mobile application; 3. Design and test market strategies tailored to different user profiles, with a view to create a brand that makes the economic exporation and cultural management of the gardens of the Azores; 4. To foster the transfer of knowledge among researchers, managers, curators, owners and potential users of the gardens, in order to support strategic decisions leading to the conservation and development of historic gardens of the Azores. |
BENEFICIARY ENTITY: Observatory of Tourism of the Azores, in co-promotion with the University of the Azores, and the Foundation Gaspar Frutuoso |
TOTAL ELIGIBLE COST: 149, 683.29€ |
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: 127,230.80€ |
DESCRIPTION: The international recognition of the gardens of the Azores has shown encouraging signs. In 2014 the "Terra Nostra" park was featured among 270 of the world's best gardens (Gardeners Garden, Phaidon), and in 2013 was awarded the Garden of Excellence (ICS). The realization of 5 international meetings of Camellias Ancient and the organization of several tours theme are proof of the potential of the Destination. Thus, the project “Green Gardens – Azores” aims to contribute to the recognition of the historical gardens of the Azores – recovering the role of the past – as a quality tourism product associated with nature, culture and well-being, through the conceptualization and development of garden tourism (TJ). This project has been integrated into the strategic benchmark of “Action Plan for the Development of Tourism in Portugal 2014-2020” |
RESULTADOS: Implementação de networking entre parceiros locais, nacionais e internacionais; Criação de uma App, webpage e outros dispositivos destinados a visitas autónomas aos jardins; Publicação de 3 obras de divulgação científica; Participação em eventos científicos nacionais e internacionais com vista à divulgação dos resultados científicos do projeto; Realização de ações promocionais do produto "Jardins Históricos dos Açores" |
PHOTOS: |
CHAM - Humanities Center
FCSH - Universidade Nova de Lisboa
University of the Azores
Professor Carlos Santos (PhD) (http://www.degois.pt/visualizador/curriculum.jsp?key=8483161854665175)
Professor Isabel Soares de Albergaria (IR) (http://www.degois.pt/visualizador/curriculum.jsp?key=5845110289870635)
Professor João Mora Porteiro (PhD) (http://www.degois.pt/visualizador/curriculum.jsp?key=5713965384471070)
Professor Maria João Pereira (PhD)
Professor Rosalina Gabriel (PhD)http://gba.uac.pt/member/rosalina-maria-de-almeida-gabriel)
Professor Paulo Borges (PhD)
Raimundo Quintal (PhD)
Ana Duarte Rodrigues (PhD)
Eduarda Paz (Master's degree)
CMPDL - Head of Division of Development and Monitoring Municipal Equipment
CMAH - Councilor for the Environment
President of APJSH
Carina Costa - Parque Terra Nostra
Engº Moniz da Ponte - Agronomy Specialist associated with traditional cultures
Faial Botanical Garden Coordinator
Chairman of the Board of Directors of José do Canto Foundation
Bensaude (Administration)
Teófilo José Soares Braga - Environmental Education Specialist
João Sampaio Forjaz - Specialist in cultivating of Camellias
Regional Forest Resources Director
Coordinator of SPEA (Portuguese Society of Study of Birds)
Chief Cabinet Presidency Government of the Azores
Margarida Jacome Correia - Administration of Mata-Jardim José do Canto
Maximilian Schönherr - Journalist expert in IT and multimedia development
Isabel Amorim Rosario - Specialist in communication activities / dissemination of science
João Alves - Observatory of the Azores Tourism
Dina Santos - Observatory of the Azores Tourism
Contacts
Observatory of the Azores Tourism
Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 71 - Office. 101Solmar Avenida Center
9504-529 Ponta Delgada
Phone: 296 287 237
E-mail: geral@otacores.com
Lead researcher:
- Isabel Soares Albergaria (CHAM)
E-mail: maria.iw.albergaria@uac.pt
