HISTORIC GARDENS CAN ATTRACT MORE VISITORS BY THE PROVISION OF MORE FACILITIES: A CASE STUDY OF THREE MUGHAL GARDENS OF PAKISTAN

A survey was conducted to record the views of visitors of three purposefully selected historic Mughal gardens of Pakistan to evaluate the available facilities and to develop guidelines for their improvement if desired. Two hundred visitors were interviewed to generate required information. Majority of the visitors (61.5%) were unsatisfied with the existing facilities. Reasons ascribed to dissatisfaction by the visitors were inadequate overall management of gardens, non-availability of quality food items at canteens, poor quality of utilities, recreational opportunities, security measures, behavior and guidance of employees, parking facility and cleanliness. Most of the visitors demanded certain facilities such as the presence of library (8.5%), bookshop (3%) and antique shop (3.5%). Significant differences in perceptions were recorded among various demographic groups of the visitors.