International Conference: Garden Tourism in Portugal and around the World

About the event
The event aims to reflect on the place and role of historic gardens within cultural tourism, hosting a program that focuses on scientific research and the exploration of communication and mediation tools, in order to improve the experience of visiting the gardens. Similarly, the event will discuss this field of study, in order to direct the project in accordance with the most current guidelines, consolidating scientific networks in this area. It also seeks to envision the role of public authorities, owners and caretakers of these spaces toward their preservation, rehabilitation and recovery.
key themes
1. Gardens in the context of Cultural Tourism
2. Scientific research on garden conservation and environmental sustainability
3. Evaluation goals within UNESCO for Historical Gardens
4. Tourism as a vehicle for the conservation of gardens and cultural landscapes
5. Garden conservation and protection versus tourism exploration
6. Management and tourism marketing of gardens
7. Understanding the relationship between the scientific community, the public and private stakeholders
8. Representations of local identity through the lens of garden tourism
9. The relationship between cultural sustainable tourism and local development
speakers
Alberta CampitelliCristina Castel Branco
David Jacques
Didier Wirth
Elsa Isidro
Eduarda Paz
Marco Martella
Marta Sousa Pires
Monica Luengo
Raimundo Quintal
Richard Benfield
Language
Englishspeakers
Alberta Campitelli is an art historian and teacher gardens of LUISS Master of Art of Creative Business Center of Rome. She was executive director of the Department of «Villas and Historic Gardens", having overseen the restoration of many gardens, parks and buildings. He is an advisory member of the International Scientific Committee of ICOMOS-Cultural Landscapes, Vice President of APGI (Parchi Association and Giardini Italiani), a member of the ICOM Italy Council. In 2013 he was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture.
Cristina Castel-Branco is a Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Lisbon since 1989. She has a M.LA from the University of Massachusetts and a PhD in Landscape architecture. Since 1991 she leads a practice of landscape design ACB-Ltd, specialized on the use of sustainable heritage solutions into very contemporary design. She is a member of ICOMOS international consulting body for Unesco on cultural landscapes since 2004 and she was awarded the Honour of Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture and Communication.
David Jacques It is a historian of gardens and conservative, consultant, lecturer and author of numerous publications on historic landscapes, parks and gardens. It was the first Inspector of Historic Parks and Gardens Inglês Heritage from 1987 to 1993. In 1993 became director of the Parks and Gardens UK, having developed the online database that preceded the Parks & Gardens UK.
Didier Wirth He is Chairman of the IEJ&P,, an entity that aims to advance knowledge and promote the art of gardens in Europe. In 1992 he and his wife acquired the Castle of Brécy in Basse Normandie, and devoted themselves to restoring the garden. As a member of the National Parks Board Gardens, which was established in 2003, he , alongside Jean Gueroult and the Minister of Culture and Communication, was responsible for the «Go to gardens», the label «Outstanding gardens» and other measures to better preserve gardens and their environment in France. He also created and chaired the Parks and Gardens in France Foundation, in 2008.
Eduarda Maria de Oliveira Paz is a biologist (U. of Coimbra), with an MA in Conservation of Historic Gardens and Landscapes (U. of York). In 2010, founded Caminhos do Ocidente Lda, a company engaged in cultural heritage conservation and promotion, focussing mainly on historic garden touring in Portugal. Affiliated to U. of Coimbra’s Ecology research centre, she is also the president of the Portuguese Camellia Association and co-director for Portugal of the International Camellia Society.
Elsa Isidro is a Landscape Architect, graduated in 2009 by the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. She is in charge for the management of natural and cultural values located in the area of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra (CLS) and in Queluz within the “Parques de Sintra” Company. Since the foundation of “Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, S.A.” in 2000, the management of these properties involves their restoration, requalification, revitalisation, conservation, research, publicity and operation, opening them to public fruition and enhancing their touristic valour.
Richard Benfield is a Professor of Geography at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut; author of the book Garden Tourism, published by CABI Press, Abingdon, England, 2013. He has been researching tourism to gardens since 1997 culminating in 2013 in his book Garden Tourism. He is particularly interested in the visitors motivations for visiting gardens and the visitor experience once they enter the garden. He has visited gardens in over 113 countries of the world and has just finished a chapter in the upcoming Book Special Interest Tourism which explores the influence of Social media in garden awareness and promotion.
Monica Luengo is an art history historian; She has a Bachelor's degree in Art History by Universidad Complutense de Madrid and a Master degree in Conservation and Restauration of Arquiteture and Urban Heritage by the Techinal School of Architecture of Madrid, Universidad Politécnica. She is the former President of the International Scientific Committee of Cultural Landscapes ICOMOS-IFLA and former Director of the Master Course on Cultural and Natural Heritage: innovation, research and development option at the Andalucía International University (UNIA).
Raimundo Quintal is PhD in Physical Geography (University of Lisbon). Senior researcher at the Centre for Geographical Studies, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Lisbon. Responsible for preparing the floristic list and scientific coordinator of the rehabilitation project of José do Canto Botanical Garden, in Ponta Delgada, since 2013. Responsible for the elaboration of the floristic inventory and the implementation of the concept of botanical hotel in Quinta da Casa Branca, Funchal, 2016.
Program

24th February José do Canto garden's room (Rua José do Canto, 9 – Ponta Delgada) |
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9.00h | Opening session (with the participation of IR Project 'Green Gardens - Azores' Professor Doctor Isabel Albergaria, the President of the IEJ&P,Dr. Didier Wirth, and the President of the Azores Tourism Observatory, Professor Carlos Santos), in the presence of Mrs. Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism and His Excellency Ambassador of Japan |
9.45h | Keynote Speaker: Richard Benfield - Garden Tourism: What we now know, what have we learnt. What is the future? |
10.20h | Cristina Castel Branco – How garden inventories can be useful for their preservation and history. The European Institute of Gardens and Landscapes |
10.40h | Coffee Break |
10.50h | Monica Luengo – Managing Historic Gardens of the World Heritage List: benefits and challenges of public participation |
11.10h | Raimundo Quintal – Botanical Hotel: from concept to realization |
11.30h | Debate |
12.45h | Guided tour to José do Canto´s Botanical Gardens by Raimundo Quintal |
13.00h | Lunch |
14.20h | Guided tour to Santana's Garden and Palace |
15.45h | Guided tour to António Borges's Garden |
25th February Terra Nostra's room – Terra Nostra Garden (Largo do Marquês da Praia e Monforte, Furnas) |
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10.00h | Eduarda Paz – Garden Tours: in pursuit of hidden Portuguese treasures | |
10.20h | Elsa Isidro – Restoration, conservation, promotion and opening to the public of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra: The mission of Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, S.A. | |
10.40h | Coffee Break | |
10.50h | David Jacques – Talking up and dumbing down: the drive for visitor numbers in English gardens | |
11.10h | Alberta Campitelli – Historical itinerary in the villas of Rome – Management and restoration | |
11.30h | Marco Martella – The advancement of green heritage: the example of Park Valley of Wolves (Hauts de Seine, France) | |
11.50h | Marta Sousa Pires – Terra Nostra Gardens: current developments and future challenges | |
12.10h | Debate | |
12.30h | Lunch at Terra Nostra Hotel | |
14.00h | Guided tour to Terra Nostra's Gardens by Joaquim Bensaude and Carina Costa | |
15.00h | Visit to Camellia Flower Show | |
16.30h | Departure to Furnas Lake | |
16.45h | Guided tour to José do Canto Woodland Gardens by Isabel Albergaria | |
17.30h | Return to Ponta Delgada, stop at Porto Formoso´s Tea Factory | |
20.00h | Farewell dinner (Marina Hotel) |


26th February Seven cities, Ponta Delgada |
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9.30h | Departure for the Seven Cities |
10.15h | Visit to Jardim Pitoresco |
11.15h | Return to Ponta Delgada |
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Image gallery
Video Gallery
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
Co-funded by
