Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Joana Henriques de Almeida Antunes"
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- Sensory gardens as visitor experiences: implications on well-beingPublication . Ferreira, Joana Henriques de Almeida Antunes; Agapito, Dora; Pinto, PatríciaThis dissertation focuses on understanding the role of sensory gardens as visitor experiences in individuals’ perceived well-being from a leisure and tourism perspective, using a managerial lens. Although sensory gardens have been researched as therapeutic options for people with a wide variety of disabilities, there is a research gap regarding the implications of approaching sensory gardens as visitor (consumption) experiences and the potential consequences on their well-being. This work addresses this gap by applying a questionnaire assessing two distinct videos—one featuring a sensory garden and the other a typical garden—sought to uncover differences and correlations related to hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, inclusiveness, accessibility, and overall perceived experience. The findings suggest that respondents perceived sensory gardens to be more inclusive and accessible. Additionally, both hedonic and eudaimonic dimensions of well-being exhibited a positive correlation when addressing sensory gardens, particularly in terms of inclusiveness and accessibility. This finding may imply that sensory garden experiences have the potential to contribute significantly to visitors' overall well-being. This study not only contributes to the growing knowledge within the realm of garden visits as sensory (consumption) experiences as garden visits but also underlines the relevance of inclusive design and accessibility considerations in shaping visitors’ well-being. Finally, both theoretical and managerial contributions are discussed, as well as limitations and directions for future research in tourism organisations management.