Butchart Gardens bans the selfie stick

A popular yet often-mocked social media tool hasbeen banned by Butchart Gardens, a popular tourist attraction near Victoria.

Following in the footsteps of Disneyland and Lollapalooza, the gardens home to world-famous floral displays no longer welcome the selfie stick.

General manager Dave Cowen says the ban kicked inat the start of the year.

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"For a couple of years, we have been watching the evolution of this phenomenon of the selfie stick," Cowen said.

"And while it is true that many other attractions across the globe have been banning selfie sticks for reasons of safety and preserving tranquil atmospheres at their attractions, we really chose to take a more deliberate approach."

The decision to ban the selfie stick,Cowen said, was partly based on expectations of a busy year due to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.

"Our garden paths are narrow and twisty, and in crowded conditions, the use of a selfie stick can pose quite a hazard," he said. "We certainly have heard from our visitors that they find them to be distracting and interruptive when they are trying to enjoy a beautiful garden or a tranquil moment looking overone of the vistas."

Vancouver's PNE has also banned selfie sticks from all rides and for concerts.

This isn't the first time Butchart Gardens has clamped down on guest behaviour on its grounds. Last year, the gardens ejected a couple dressed up in Victorian attire, saying costumes were banned because they distract other visitors.