Garden tourism in Ireland : an exploration of product group co-operation, links and relationships

Abstract

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.