The role of historic gardens in Malta's tourism competitiveness : an analysis of four historic gardens

Abstract

This dissertation explores how four main historic gardens in Malta – San Anton Garden, Buskett Woodland, Argotti Botanical Garden and Herbert Ganado Garden – contribute to enhance the tourism’s competitiveness of Malta. Using a qualitative approach, this study includes landscape analysis of the gardens and semi-structured interviews with key players involved in the administration and promotion of these gardens. The research identifies that historic gardens are not only an important promoter of cultural tourism, but they also contribute significantly to the economic activity of the country by attracting tourists and encouraging longer stays. The findings highlight a gap in the current academic literature, emphasising the lack of focused research on the integration of cultural heritage into Malta’s tourism competitiveness. This dissertation proposes strategies for increasing visitor engagement in these gardens to enhance the tourism competitiveness, including the adaption of new technology, implementation of educational efforts, and the creation of comprehensive marketing plans. These strategies aim to increase the overall influence of historic gardens in Malta’s tourism competitiveness, suggesting a dynamic integration of cultural assets into national tourism policies.