Garden Tourism

The National Gardening Association (NGA), founded in 1973, is a nonprofit leader in plant-based education. We serve a national audience with timely materials designed to foster an appreciation for the benefits of gardening. Plants have the power to change our lives. They enable the simple and therapeutic pleasure of working in one’s own garden. They play a basic role in providing clean air and serve as a nutritious basis for healthy living. And they are uniquely effective teaching tools. For more than 30 years, NGA has been working to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment through gardening. Our programs and initiatives highlight the opportunities for plant-based education in schools, communities, and backyards across the country. We serve as a bridge to connect people to gardening in five core fields: plant-based education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, community development, and responsible home gardening.

You probably know us through our award winning web site, however, there's alot more to Dublin Tourism than our online services. We are the official tourist board for Dublin, with responsibility for the marketing and promotion of tourism in the Dublin region. We're a state-appointed, not for profit (commercial) agency with a membership of more than 1300 businesses, drawn from the region’s leading tourism related organisations. Dublin Tourism also operates five walk-in Tourist Information and Reservations Centres which are open 364 days a year, and five Visitor Attractions in the region. What is perhaps most interesting about the company is that Dublin Tourism has become the model for other cities attempting to create a cohesive, focused and successful tourism industry. This effective structure, the only Irish Tourism structure that is democratically elected, transcends every tourism product from 5 star hotels to hostels, from walking tours to visitor attractions. Board members are elected from the members, by the members for the members. Dublin has performed exceptionally well and ambitious growth targets of 5% annually have been set. Indeed, if Dublin’s figures were disaggregated from the overall figures, Ireland would have suffered a decline in visitors last year. Dublin Tourism with industry support will continue to spearhead a host of aggressive marketing campaigns globally to ensure Dublin’s position and success continue. Some interesting facts about Tourism in Dublin... Fact: Overseas visitor numbers grew by 6% and there was 9% growth in foreign revenue earnings, giving a return to the exchequer of €650 million in 2004. Fact: One out of every 3 visitors to Dublin visits a Dublin Tourism Tourist Information Office – the highest usage rate in Europe. Fact: 50% of all business in the Republic’s Tourist Information Network is carried out by Dublin Tourism. Fact: Our innovative marketing strategy has resulted in Dublin becoming number 3 in Europe.* Fact: Over 1 million pieces of promotional literature were produced and distributed worldwide during 2004. Fact: In a survey in Business Travel Buyer magazine, Dublin was shown as the cheapest of 10 cities for hotel accommodation. Fact: During 2004 our website attracted 2 million unique visitors and €3.5 million worth of online bookings were made through the site. Fact: Each month the Dublin Tourism web site delivers over 120 Gigabytes of tourist information , the equivalent of 30 DVDs, to web users all over the world. Fact: www.visitdublin.com is the leader of city tourism websites in Europe. Fact: During 2004 tourism related editorial on TV, radio and print media about Dublin, generated more than €24 million worth of international publicity. Fact: Dublin Tourism serviced over 1,000 media enquiries in 2004. Fact: The development of the Dublin Pass has marked a significant development in Dublin Tourism’s overall marketing strategy for Dublin. The Dublin Pass is good for Dublin, good for visitors, and good for participants. To find out more about Dublin Tourism and our activities for the past year, why not download our annual report. To find more information and resources for those involved in the tourism industry, please visit our trade site. Dublin Tourism may be contacted at the following address; Dublin Tourism

Rubiah Sea Garden is situated about 23.5 km west of Sabang by road, or about 7 km by boat, adjacent to Iboih village. The Indonesian Government has established this water area of 2600 hectares around Rubiah Island as a special nature reserve. Being located in Sabang bay the waters here are calm and crystal clear too (25 m visibility) the sea here abounds with an incredible variety of colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. We can find gigantic clams, angelfish, school of parrotfish, lionfish, sea fans, and much more. For experienced snorkeling, Octopus and Stingrays (not dangerous to observer) are sure sightings here. Try viewing the coral from glass bottom boat. Sunbathe or stroll on the remote white sand beaches of the adjacent shores. Undoubtedly, one of the best-kept secrets in the world of tourism is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. The distance to the coral is only 5 m from the shore. For those who just cannot get themselves to leave this spot, accommodation and meals are available from the villagers of Iboih upon request.

GREEN TOURISM BUSINESS SCHEME GTBS is Europe's largest 'green' accreditation scheme for the tourism sector. It has grown from its origins in Scotland, to include hundreds of businesses. Following a number of English pilots, GTBS is now operating across the whole of the South West & South East of England. GTBS businesses find visitors increasingly responsive. National and local surveys show visitors are even prepared to pay a little extra to choose businesses that can demonstrate their ethical responsibility, with the majority also perceiving these businesses to be of a higher quality. To tell you more about the scheme we have a downloadable information pamphlet and application form.

Follow the woodland trails of an old-growth forest, explore the cedar maze and marvel at ‘Pericles’, Canada’s first Wollemi Pine tree – the stupendous ‘Jurassic Age’ botanical discovery! It has been 200-million years since these trees were previously known to exist, according to fossil finds. In 1994, 36 trees were discovered in a remote rain forest gorge in Australia ; now there are just a few hundred, worldwide, and fewer than 100 mature Wollemis have been discovered in the wild. Play a game of croquet or bocce ball on the lawn or indulge yourself with a fun treasure hunt (three different age groups, from tiny tots and up) at any time. Daily at 10:30 a.m., take part in the Live Ladybug Release and in July and August, activities will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Children’s Fantasy Garden ; complete with four playhouses, a Loch Ness Monster, grass bed to jump on and a climbing castle! This magnificent garden was created from several grand old estates, covering a total of 11 h (27 acres). It sits on a hill overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay in the town of St. Andrews , a National Historic District, and Canada ’s premier seaside resort community. When you’re finished with flower gazing, drop in at the delightful Garden Café, featuring both indoor and terrace seating. Enjoy an ice-cold drink and a delicious lunch or afternoon tea. Browse the Garden Gift Shop for unique garden books, gifts and souvenirs. Don’t miss the Kingsbrae Art Gallery , which showcases New Brunswick artists celebrating gardens and flowers. By the parking lot is the fully-equipped Plant Centre, where unusual perennials, shrubs and trees are a specialty! Pose in front of a one-third scale, working windmill, or alongside the unique ‘flowerpot people’, or with the splendid peacocks - if they’ll just stand still. A Top Attraction. 200 Million Year Wait Is Over! Rare Jurassic Pine Comes to Canada

Garden Stays Australian gardens open for you Here you will find some of Victoria's hidden treasures - Gardens of high quality where you can stay and get to know the gardener behind the garden.