ROLE OF PUBLIC PARKS/GARDENS IN ATTRACTING DOMESTIC TOURISTS: AN EXAMPLE FROM CITY BEAUTIFUL OF INDIA

Abstract

Chandigarh-the ‘City Beautiful’ of India is known for its urban greenery and well planned landscaping in the whole world. More than 0.60 millions of domestic tourists are visiting Chandigarh city each year. In a research study undertaken during 2002-04, an assessment about the annual recreational use value of this city’s urban parks and gardens was made by using Zonal Travel Cost Method (TCM) on the domestic tourists coming to the city for tourism purpose. Though man made greenery can not compensate nature’s green cover, yet it plays a significant role in attracting domestic tourists towards a city of parks/gardens in a developing country like India.