“Gardens and their guests” – On a journey of discovery with a new reference book from the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences

With “Gardens and their Guests”, the German Institute for Tourism Research at the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences presents a comprehensive insight into the world of gardens and parks as well as garden tourism. Editor Professor Dr. Christian Antz has been working on this topic scientifically and in planning for almost 30 years. In his book, he invites us on a journey through green oases and highlights the current and future significance of these places. The book was awarded the book prize of the German Horticultural Society of 1822.
Gardens and parks are trendsetters of the future. They are currently experiencing a renaissance, especially among people from the city. “In a world characterized by uncertainty, people have rediscovered them for their work-life balance: as places that slow things down, that give meaning and security, that are a source of relaxation and that help to recharge their batteries,” explains Professor Dr. Christian Antz.
The 25 interdisciplinary contributions in this specialist book not only focus on the garden as a place of relaxation, but also on its touristic, economic and, last but not least, social dimensions: How can the preservation and contemporary use of historical parks be combined? How can garden tourism become a driving force in a region’s value chain? The Volume discusses these and other questions vividly and always seeks to bridge the gap between science and practice in the form of application examples.incidentally, the researcher from the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences also has a personal favorite: he appreciates historic gardens and parks. And he is not alone in this: “Many people are particularly keen on mature landscapes and home gardens. The days of ‘clean, straightforward, low-maintenance’, on the other hand, seem to be largely over,” says Antz.
In “Gardens and their guests”, 30 authors from a wide range of disciplines share their perspectives. The book is aimed at garden lovers, travelers, researchers and anyone who wants to discover new perspectives on gardens. The book has been published by UVK-Verlag and is available now.

The Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Construction, Klara Geywitz, with the editors Prof. Dr. Steffen Wittkowske (l.) and Prof. Dr. Christian Antz (r.)