The view, brew and loo: perceptions of botanic gardens?

Abstract

Purpose-This is an exploratory and qualitative study to consider approaches to capture, analyse and monitor perceptions from big data, to inform and contribute to place management research and practice of Botanic Gardens (BGs). This research aims to address the ongoing significant threat to BGs due to funding being cut and the need to inform and develop sustainable revenue streams for their survival. Design/methodology/approach-Guiding research questions and objectives for this study were: 'What are the perceived strengths and areas for development for 2 BGs, via a Leximancer' Automatic Content Analysis (ACA) of TripAdvisor online reviews; and do they match BGs purpose of scientific research, conservation, display and education?' A content analysis of 582 online reviews from 2007 to 2017 follows qualitative methodology techniques utilising a combination of manual and automatic text analysis (Leximancer text mining software). These approaches enabled a comparison of online TripAdvisor reviews with Likert-type or rating scale items of 1 to 5 star. Findings-Insights revealed the use of Leximancer and TripAdvisor (or similar innovations) as tools for potential place management, place marketing communications and monitoring purposes. Predominant perceptions extracted from reviews are not concerned with documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific discovery, conservation, display and education. Reviews clearly focus more upon aesthetics, facilities and services, which support previous studies. Overall reviews highlighted positive sentiments toward the BGs. Research limitations/implications-Limitations link to limited data across 2 BGs, synthesis and meaning of complex perceptions, matters of subjectivity, and time needed to interpret information. Implications enable insights into BG 'place' gleaned from big data in the form of User Generated Content (UGC) and electronic Word-Of-Mouth (eWOM) using Leximancer; viewed as a measure alongside management action plans. Future studies could strengthen debate and action regarding the use of Leximancer, and also public perception of BGs' core functions, importance and value. The research supports potential to monitor and transform perceptions, values and beliefs. Outcomes could eventually inform policy and generate a much needed shift in funds and resources for BGs by highlighting their relevance and value to society. Originality/value-An empirical and methodological contribution via peer reviewed studies of visitor perceptions via online reviews of Britain's BGs 'place' and 'space' analysed with Leximancer have never been published. This study critically explores potential visitor and place management needs of BGs. Managers can make better use of big data from social media platforms/digital channels, using a novel type of data analytical software like Leximancer for strategic planning; with more informed approaches to place management, innovation and development. A key contribution of this study is this ACA methodological approach for place management.

A Systematic Literature Review of Historic Garden Management and Its Economic Aspects

“…De Oliveira Paiva, de Brito Sousa, and Carcaud's (2020) review of tourism studies includes a wide range of work exploring the subject of garden tourism. The studies in their review that are indexed in Scopus provide several examples of garden tourism methodologies that can be fruitfully applied to historic gardens, including: on-site and frontier survey questionnaires and interviews to investigate garden owners [2], garden [83] or heritage [84,85] visitors and their experience; trip advisor review content analysis compared to the declared management objectives of botanical gardens [86]; modeling of the tourist attraction system [87]; historical reconstruction through site visits, interviews, bibliographic and iconographic research [88]; discussions of pertinent themes such as the geography of gardens [89,90], the history of Iranian ornamental horticulture and historic gardens [91,92], and the evolving role of botanical gardens [93][94][95]. Some of these research instruments are used in other studies in this historic garden management review, while some are new.…”

Towards a comprehensive understanding of football stadium tourism

“…Visitors also follow the expectations of tourists that they will utilise well-maintained toilets and other facilities (Catahan & Woodruffe-Burton, 2019). One reviewer complained, 'Catering and toilet areas and the concourse in general far too small for the number of people.…”

Botanic Garden Tourism, Social Value, Health, and Well-Being

“…As such, TSR aligns closely with the principles and objectives of the 17 United Nations' SDGs [30][31][32][33][34], which aim to stimulate cross-sectoral, collaborative partnerships in tackling complex global challenges related to poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation [35]. This commentary paper considers the application of TSR approaches within the context of botanic garden tourism development to promote the SDG for good health and well-being while considering opportunities surrounding plant awareness disparity (PAD) [36] and the alignment of a variety of SDGs [21,34,[37][38][39][40].…”

“…Botanic gardens offer unique contexts for transformative service innovations given their longstanding heritage and multifunctional nature as, first and foremost, research institutions, biodiversity conservation sites, places and spaces for education, and displays of special botanical collections. They also provide leisure, tourism, recreation, healthcare, and other spaces: a diverse cultural ecosystem of services [2,37,[41][42][43][44]. However, realizing the full transformative potential of botanic garden tourism requires overcoming persistent challenges related to access and inclusion, knowledge sharing, capacity, environmental sustainability and stewardship, impact assessment, and service-related opportunities in the areas and regions surrounding and connected to botanic gardens [12,13,[45][46][47].…”