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Rainforests, as invaluable natural resources, play a pivotal role globally, offering many ecosystem services such as recreation. This study aims to quantify the value of Brunei’s rainforest assets (specifically recreational areas and national parks) utilizing the Travel Cost Method (TCM), a prevalent approach for ascertaining the worth of natural sites. The tourism use of Brunei's rainforests holds a high value, estimated at over $300,000 USD per square kilometer, which supports the argument for resource allocation towards their protection not only for ecological reasons but also for their recreational benefits. The authors posit that nature-based ecotourism can be a sustainable and protective mechanism for tropical rainforests. Practical recommendations for ecotourism include a minimalist approach to visitor regulation, limiting access to a small percentage of large recreational areas and national parks to protect flora and fauna, and possibly implementing entry or service fees.

Rainforests, as invaluable natural resources, play a pivotal role globally, offering many ecosystem services such as recreation. This study aims to quantify the value of Brunei's rainforest assets (specifically recreational areas and national parks) utilizing the Travel Cost Method (TCM), a prevalent approach for ascertaining the worth of natural sites. The tourism use of Brunei's rainforests holds a high value, estimated at over $300,000 USD per square kilometer, which supports the argument for resource allocation towards their protection not only for ecological reasons but also for their recreational benefits. The authors posit that nature-based ecotourism can be a sustainable and protective mechanism for tropical rainforests. Practical recommendations for ecotourism include a minimalist approach to visitor regulation, limiting access to a small percentage of large recreational areas and national parks to protect flora and fauna, and possibly implementing entry or service fees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the mid-1980s, forest bathing was established in Japan to improve citizens' physical and mental health. In the literature, many studies have investigated the role of forest bathing in decreasing people's stress and anxiety as well as in reducing hypertension and coronary artery disease. Forest bathing is also a practice with important social and economic implications at a local level. This study investigated the economic value of forest bathing in a case study in northern Italy (i.e., the Parco del Respiro, in Trentino-Alto Adige) using the Zonal Travel Cost Method. To achieve this aim, 243 forest bathers in the study area were interviewed in the summer of 2022. The findings highlighted that an actively managed forest with an average–low amount of deadwood and clean open areas is the scenario preferred by participants. In addition, the results of the Zonal Travel Cost Method showed a relevant annual consumer surplus of EUR 8700 for the forest bathing activity in the study area, corresponding to EUR 35.80 per visit per person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) is a natural tourist attraction in the form of a row of mountains in the East Java area. Environmental management of the TNBTS area is an important thing that needs to be considered in supporting the development of post-pandemic tourism objects. This management is essential due to the interdependence between TNBTS tourism and the conservation of natural resources. The research method used is the travel cost method to be able to provide an estimate of the economic valuation value of the Bromo Tengger Semeru environment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, researchers used multiple linear regression to determine the value of the coefficients of variables that affect the number of visitor visits, including travel costs, visitor income, the distance from the visitor’s domicile to Mount Bromo, the type of respondent’s occupation, the respondent’s education and the respondent’s age. The consumer surplus obtained previously was multiplied by the number of visitors for 12 months to produce an average economic value of Rp 66,623,948,879,955 for one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreation values are necessary to inform a variety of planning and management decisions affecting national parks and other public lands. Standard visitor surveys often collect data that can facilitate estimation of such values through either revealed or stated preference approaches. However, several issues can arise when using such data, such as selection of the appropriate per mile rate to apply in travel cost models, limited variation in the number of trips taken to the site in the past year, and limitations in response formats for contingent valuation questions. To explore these issues, we use visitor survey data from Glacier National Park to estimate consumer surplus for a park visit, comparing mean estimates and percentile confidence intervals from several approaches. Exploring convergent validity across these approaches provides some support for the exclusion of depreciation costs when selecting a per mile travel cost rate and caution in using alternative dependent variable specifications in travel cost models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands have a fundamental role in the maintenance and development of the global ecosystem and human health. Assessing the value of Ecosystem Services (ES) that wetlands provide is strictly related to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This paper considers the Oristanese Reclamation District located in the Italian region of Sardinia, where the highest amount of water resources is used for irrigation. Moreover, the study area is characterized by the presence of numerous ponds and wetlands that are deeply interconnected with local agriculture, attracting a substantial number of tourists. This paper aims to evaluate the touristic value in the area by applying the travel cost method, a non-market evaluation method used to derive consumers' preferences. Through secondary data, we obtained a total estimate of economic benefits from the recreational uses of the site of approximately €1.25 Mln/year. The results provide support to decision-makers for improving management options while ensuring a tradeoff between the economic benefits derived from tourist activities and the conservation of the wetland area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visitor perceptions and the economic value of tourism greatly influence sustainable tourism development. The aim of the research is to identify visitor perceptions and calculate the economic value of Way Belerang tourism in KPH Way Pisang. Data collection was carried out using interviews, literature studies and documentation. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using a Likert scale, Zonal Travel Cost Method (ZTCM), Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) and Multiple Linear Regression. The research results show that the assessment of visitors' perceptions of the facilities is good. Existing facilities are adequate, but repairs need to be made to the ceiling in the rinse area. Promotion and information are not very good because there is not yet complete media available. The tourist attractions are good, the natural attractions and the tourist atmosphere are very supportive. Security and comfort are good, the parking area is large and the guard posts are manned by officers. The average cost to travel to Way Belerang Tourism is IDR 58,876/person/visit, so the economic value of Way Belerang Tourism is IDR 939,725,328/year. Comparison of travel costs based on the visitor's zone of origin within the district Rp. 23,083/zone/visit times, outside the district Rp. 55,195/zone/visit times and outside the province Rp. 114,545/zone/visit times. Supporting promotion and information on Way Belerang requires adequate tools for promoting tourist attractions so that the tourist attractions are more visited by visitors and improving the facilities available at Way Belerang.

Purpose – A wetland is a place of tourist attraction, and tourism values play a key role in economic development. Among various services provided by a wetland, recreational services are increasingly valuable in the tourism sector. This paper aims to unfold the potential recreational values of the Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses individual travel cost methods (TCMs) and assesses its impact on regional development in terms of income and employment generation. A sample of 200 tourists is selected through an on-site survey on Dal Lake, and the demand for recreational visits and its value is estimated by employing the truncated Poisson regression model (TPRM) and un-truncated Poisson regression model (UTPRM). The consumers' surplus is estimated and tourists' benefit to visiting the wetland is explored. Findings – On average, estimated consumers' surplus per visitor is Rs 6,250 (US$96.15) and Rs 25,000 (US$384.61) from respective models. The annual total recreational value of the lake is accounted for Rs 1713m (US$ 26m). This high consumer surplus (CS) and recreational values of the lake indicate large demand for its recreational facilities. Originality/value – The study is based on primary data and thus, is original. The paper has implications for the policymakers to formulate sustainable management plans for the proper use of Dal Lake and tourism development.

It is well recognized that natural land is of great importance, and measures of the value of natural lands are required when making data-driven policy decisions between land development and land preservation. One of the most important values of natural land areas is the recreational services provided. In this study, we estimate the recreation use value provided by the natural land in New England. Specifically, we apply the travel cost method to calculate the total consumer surplus for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching in the New England region. We also investigate whether and how people from households of different demographic backgrounds have different recreational habits. Using data from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation, we found that New England natural lands provide a remarkable amount of recreation use value—$88 billion per year to U.S. citizens who partake in wildlife-related activities. Our estimates can serve as input for economic projection and policy analysis models and allow more equitable and appropriate data-driven policy decisions.

With the increasing population of the world, developments such as unplanned growth, urbanization, industrialization and accordingly climate change have necessitated the protection of natural resources. In this context, National Parks are the leading natural resources under protection. Since national parks are natural assets used for recreational and tourism purposes, they provide important contributions to the country's economy as well as the social benefit they provide to the society. Therefore, natural resources need to be included in the calculations of national income, which is a measure of the growth rate of countries, and economic value determination is needed for this. For this purpose, Beyşehir Lake National Park, which is the second largest national park, has been valued. Contingent Valuation Method and Travel Cost Method are used in the appraisal. During the data collection phase, 383 samples were determined using the Proportional Sampling Method, and the surveys were conducted with visitors within the national park in the summer of 2019. According to the Conditional Valuation Method, 186.838.123 TL was calculated, 453.612.000 TL according to the Travel Cost Method and the total economic value was determined as 640.450.123 TL. The consumer surplus per visitor, that is, the fee that a visitor is willing to pay for a visit to the national park in one year, was calculated as 2.202 TL. All findings obtained with a stake in the country's national income in light of the economic value of Turkey and the second largest national park was revealed the existing potential. Its economic value should be evaluated in development policies, and its existing potential should be presented to the social benefit of people by protecting it within the framework of environmental protection policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive ecosystems play a major role in the future of the environment, economy, and society, as they affect and mitigate natural hazards, provide food, energy, and medicinal resources, and job opportunities, as well as cultural and recreational services. Meanwhile, the rapidly growing nature-based tourism sector is applying unsustainable pressures on such ecosystems, prioritizing the assessment of their sustainability, i.e., environmental, economic, and social functionality. To ensure long-term development and conservation, benefits from the natural capital must be valued and included in its management plan. The travel cost method (TCM), although heavily exploited in research, exhibits application challenges and methodological weaknesses. This paper seeks to comprehensively present the most recent applications of TCM, focusing on aquatic ecosystems that serve as tourist destinations, whereupon research gaps are identified, ultimately providing insights for future directions in the field. Quantifying the economic worth of sensitive ecosystems is a prerequisite to address issues, such as overexploitation, pollution, and climate change, so these problems can be alleviated in the long-run. In parallel, the critical long-term double effect of fair entrance fees is recognized, which not only motivate visitation by securing accessibility but also guarantee adequate financial resources to protect and maintain the ecosystems' integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the mid-1980s, forest bathing was established in Japan to improve citizens’ physical and mental health. In the literature, many studies have investigated the role of forest bathing in decreasing people’s stress and anxiety as well as in reducing hypertension and coronary artery disease. Forest bathing is also a practice with important social and economic implications at a local level. This study investigated the economic value of forest bathing in a case study in northern Italy (i.e., the Parco del Respiro, in Trentino-Alto Adige) using the Zonal Travel Cost Method. To achieve this aim, 243 forest bathers in the study area were interviewed in the summer of 2022. The findings highlighted that an actively managed forest with an average–low amount of deadwood and clean open areas is the scenario preferred by participants. In addition, the results of the Zonal Travel Cost Method showed a relevant annual consumer surplus of EUR 8700 for the forest bathing activity in the study area, corresponding to EUR 35.80 per visit per person.

Goods and services of the ecosystem provided by the natural environment have not been considered in terms of their economic value. There are a number of studies that have estimated the economic value of forest ecosystem services in India, but very few studies have estimated these economic values of other important ecosystem services. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWLS) is a unique place as a bridge between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats in Karnataka, India. There are 12,500 Soligas (tribal community) living in this area. Non-timber forest products constitute more than 60% of the Soliga household income. A number of studies have been conducted in the BRTWLS. However, there is a lack of studies on the economic value. The primary objective of this study is to estimate the value of ecosystem services provided by BRTWLS. This study has used the market price methods for estimating the value of provisioning services and individual travel cost method for estimating the value of recreation services, while the value of carbon sequestration and soil erosion prevention has been estimated based on secondary data. This study has estimated the total annual value of provisioning, regulating and cultural services of BRTWLS at Rs 23.9 million y-1. The findings of the study will be helpful to the local policy makers to increase the entry fee at the BRTWLS, as it provides valuable ecosystem services and reinvests the same in natural capital to achieve environmental sustainability at the local level.

Based on the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, as well as publications of scholars from different countries, the present paper presents the role of agritourism as a field of activity and as an activity generating additional income and diversifying risks for agricultural entities. The selection of the appropriate method of calculating the cost of the agritourism product has been identified by the authors as an acute problem in the field of agritourism services. The insufficient level of research with respect to the issue of accounting and cost calculation related to the implementation of agritourism activities by agricultural entities, imposes the need to develop and apply some methodological instructions for accounting and cost calculation of agritourism products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) in protecting marine habitats and biodiversity, especially for coral reefs, is acknowledged among conservationists, managers, and policy-makers. However, the socio-economic and ecological benefits of MPAs are understated and overshadowed by the establishment and operating costs, specifically for MPAs located in developing countries. Using a global survey of recreational divers, we estimate recreational users' welfare benefits in support of MPAs. Using the travel cost method (TCM), we show that an increase in user fees has a modest effect on visitors' numbers in MPAs in developing countries. It is justifiable to increase revenue to help cover the costs of developing and operating MPAs. The mean consumer surplus (CS) derived from the TCM is US$588.24 per person trip with confidence intervals of $347.71–$1908.39 USD. Such information is pertinent in protecting and restoring the marine ecosystem when multiple threats adversely affect coral reefs, upon which other marine life and local and international communities depend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the relationship between decision utility and experienced utility of recreational nature visits. The former is measured as the travel cost to reach that site as routinely used by the travel cost method (TCM), and the latter is operationalized through visit‐related subjective well‐being (SWB). As such, the analysis is a test of convergent validity by examining whether ex ante TCM‐based assessment of recreational value reflecting decision utility corresponds to stated ex post SWB, reflecting experienced utility. It explores to what extent utility revealed by counts of nature visits are associated with self‐reported, visit‐related SWB relating to that same visited site. The analysis uses two existing datasets providing information on (i) 3672 recreational visits to green/blue spaces in England over the course of four years and (ii) 5937 recreational visits to bluespace sites across 14 European countries over one year. Results show a positive association between travel cost and visit‐related SWB while controlling for trip frequency and a large set of covariates, suggesting convergent validity of the two utility concepts. A breakdown by travel mode suggests this relationship only holds for trips involving motorized transport and is not present for habitual, chore‐like walking visits to the recreational site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Oklahoma Mesonet's Public Safety outreach program, OK-First, has provided weather education and data delivery to the public safety community for the past twenty-five years. By delivering high-quality weather data tools, regular classes, and continued follow-up support to its trained members, the OK-First program has empowered more than 1,800 public safety officials. Testimonials from OK-First users indicate that there is an immense value in providing nonscientific audiences with meteorological information and training. OK-First users have saved lives and property using the the program. There has been no quantitative analysis, however, that evaluates the value of the OK-First program. This study fills a gap in providing quantitative analysis for the economic value of the OK-First program. This research used a modified travel cost method to measure the value of information provided by the OK-First program to the users of the program. Results suggest that the average willingness to pay for OK-First is $1,122 per training. The OK-First program in Oklahoma is valued at an estimated $254,000, with a collective surplus of $80,000 per training for OK-First users. This conservative estimate suggests the importance of programs such as the OK-First training, especially for public safety officials in Oklahoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme climate and uncertainties in environmental changes have caused tourists to change their travel behaviors, and further affected the tourism value of tourism attractions. This study assessed the changes in the tourism value considering different climate change scenarios. Firstly, this study utilized meteorological data and number of tourists from the past decade to estimate the number of future tourists of 14 national forest parks in Taiwan. Questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the travel durations of tourists; and the travel cost method was used to estimate the future tourism value. Then, the changes in the total value of each national forest park in Taiwan due to climate change were calculated. The results indicated that in national forest parks in Taiwan, the number of tourists and temperature increase were positively correlated, and the future tourism value decline because the recreation time in most national forest parks under climate change will decline. This study calculated the total changes in the future (from 2020 to 2100) tourism value of 14 national forest parks in Taiwan under climate change, and the maximum value reaches NT$183.473 billion. Under Scenario RCP 8.5, the tourism value is higher than that under Scenario RCP 2.6. Also, regarding time sequence, under Scenario RCP 8.5, the degree of decrease in tourism value in each area were smaller than those under Scenario RCP 2.6; in some areas, the tourism value increased. National forest park managers should promptly propose relevant adaptive policies to reduce the damage of climate change to tourism value.

Wetlands have a fundamental role in the maintenance and development of the global ecosystem and human health. Assessing the value of Ecosystem Services (ES) that wetlands provide is strictly related to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This paper considers the Oristanese Reclamation District located in the Italian region of Sardinia, where the highest amount of water resources is used for irrigation. Moreover, the study area is characterized by the presence of numerous ponds and wetlands that are deeply interconnected with local agriculture, attracting a substantial number of tourists. This paper aims to evaluate the touristic value in the area by applying the travel cost method, a non-market evaluation method used to derive consumers’ preferences. Through secondary data, we obtained a total estimate of economic benefits from the recreational uses of the site of approximately €1.25 Mln/year. The results provide support to decision-makers for improving management options while ensuring a tradeoff between the economic benefits derived from tourist activities and the conservation of the wetland area.

This study aims to determine the economic value of tourism objects and whether there is a consumer surplus at the Petrus Kafiar beach based on the Travel Cost Method (TCM). The consumer surplus value is obtained by using the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) approach and willingness to pay to calculate the willingness to pay of tourists visiting Petrus Kafiar Beach. The value of WTP obtained is Rp 23.358,21 per person per visit. Meanwhile, the average WTP (willingness to pay) per year for one visit is only Rp 5.491,23. The results of the integral calculation to find the consumer surplus of visitors to the Petrus beach tourism object, the consumer surplus is ranged from Rp 5.201,5 to Rp 10.403,91 per individual/visit. As for the factors that influence the number of visits to Petrus Kafiar beach, two significant variables were found, namely the level of income and distance at the 95% confidence level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research is the property of Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to determine the economic value of tourism objects and whether there is a consumer surplus at the Petrus Kafiar beach based on the Travel Cost Method (TCM). The consumer surplus value is obtained by using the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) approach and willingness to pay to calculate the willingness to pay of tourists visiting Petrus Kafiar Beach. The value of WTP obtained is Rp. 23,358.21 per person per visit. Meanwhile, the average WTP (willingness to pay) per year for one visit is only Rp. 5,491.23. The results of the integral calculation to find the consumer surplus of visitors to the Petrus beach tourism object, the consumer surplus is ranged from Rp. 5,201.5 to Rp. 10,403.91 per individual/visit.

North Sumatra Province has the Tangkahan Nature Tourism Area, which represents ecotourism managed by local communities, established in 2001, which has now become the leading tourism destination of North Sumatra both locally and internationally. Tangkahan ecotourism is an example of payment for environmental services for the Tangkahan community, which initially carried out illegal logging in the mount Leuseur national park and then agreed to preserve the national park through ecotourism. This study aims to analyze the economic value of tourism and the preferences of tourists to revisit, along with the factors that influence them, where these conditions can be an illustration of the sustainability of Tangkahan ecotourism. The travel cost method is used to calculate the economic value of Tangkahan Ecotourism environmental services. The factors that affect the economic value, intensity of visits, and interest in revisiting, were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that Tangkahan ecotourism has a relatively high economic value, supported by the intensity and interest of tourist visits. Factors that affect the economic value and preferences of tourist visits can be managed for the sustainability of Tangkahan ecotourism so as not to lose the economic value of the ecotourism environmental services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of improving the quality of the Baltic Sea enjoys common understanding and acceptance. An implementation of this idea requires a cost-benefit analysis to define the correct scope of intervention. Monetary valuation of the benefits arising from the quality improvement was conducted for the Baltic Sea using the contingent valuation method, choice experiments, and travel cost method in 2004 and 2010 (booth samples were representative for the whole country). Crucial sources for such valuation were the stated preferences of the respondents. The availability of ex-post data describing the occupancy rate of all swimming sites on the Polish stretch of the Baltic coast, collected for four consecutive years (2012-2016), makes it possible to compare two concepts, i.e. the ex-ante declarations concerning willingness to use high-quality environment and the actual consumers' choices. The results reveal serious discrepancies between the ex-ante and ex-post methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Artvin Coruh University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Economía (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán) is the property of Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Facultad de Economia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Economic values of various ecosystem services of recreational forests are not well understood in many countries, including Malaysia. Policymakers and resource managers with a lack of such information may make inappropriate decisions to manage forest resources. To address the information problem, this study used data and estimated the economic value of recreation as a cultural ecosystem service of the Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest (AKRF) in Malaysia using the Travel Cost Method (TCM). The study estimated an economic value of USD 20,346/ha/year for cultural services, including recreation. These findings provide some useful information that might be needed for those involved in planning and management for the development of urban forest sites, especially in AKRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hingol National Park (HNP), in Baluchistan, Pakistan, is rich in biodiversity and has a variety of eco-services and marine eco-services. It has dune and mountain habitats that provide a significant environment for wildlife, including amphibians, dolphins, green marine turtles, and migratory birds, but the number of species is declining. HNP faces many problems such as unregulated tourism and lack of a budget to protect and conserve precious wildlife. The study used a negative binomial regression model and a zero-truncated regression model to estimate the visitors’ travel demand and recreational value of the National Park by collecting a sample of 210 respondents.. The study estimated a consumer surplus of USD 270 per person per visit and thus a total annual recreational value of the park at USD 35.11 million. Since the elasticity of demand is low, the study suggests the imposition of an entrance fee of USD 0.86 (PKR 100) that would generate an annual revenue of USD 113,000. It is recommended that both provisional and federal governments should take the necessary steps to maintain and promote heritage tourism in the region by reshaping the national parks for the protection of scarce natural resources and the protection of biodiversity.

Ethiopia has more than 55 protected areas that have endemic wildlife species. Of the protected areas, 21 of them are national parks. This makes the country to have natural ecosystems and wildlife heritage with huge potential to attract tourists. Nevertheless, the contribution of the tourism sector to the national economy is far below its potential. Awash National Park is one of nature-based recreational sites in Ethiopia for its impressive landscape and diversity of fauna. However, the Park has been unable to improve the qualities of ecotourism experience and expand the types and variety of its recreational services because of lack of sustainable income from internal sources. The value of the Park in terms of its recreational service to the society is not known. The valuation of the Park is important so as to inform the site managers extract internal revenues that help them improve the qualities of the national park and expand the types and variety of the services. To assess the on-site recreational benefit of the Park, the study adopted a quantitative research approach with a crosssectional survey design in which primary data were collected from a sample of 195 on-site visitors of the Park. The valuation of the Park was done by adopting the travel cost and choice experiment methods. The Travel Cost Method of valuation revealed that the aggregate annual recreational economic benefit generated by visitors of the site is ETB 4,987,965.14. Of which, the site authority captured only about 12.1% of the true economic recreational benefit of the site. On the other hand, the results of the Choice Experiment Method of valuation revealed that all the attributes (namely, wildlife population, afforestation and additional service to visitors and a monetary attribute, i.e, the gate fee) significantly affected the probability of choosing an improvement scenario. The results of this study indicated that the economic value of recreation benefit from Awash national park is very big, even under conservative estimates. It also indicated that the domestic recreation demand to the Park is high. Therefore, it is suggested that the major problems that reduce the quality of the site should be alleviated and improvement and expansion projects of the Park should be designed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term success of wildlife restoration programs depends on their potential to bring economic benefits to stakeholders. Because of the non-market nature of some benefits (e.g., wildlife viewing), however, demonstrating the economic value of such programs is often challenging. By employing a travel cost model of elk-viewing trips among households around the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, Tennessee, this study estimated the net economic benefit of elk-viewing opportunities generated from an elk reintroduction program. Depending on the assumptions about visitors' opportunity cost of time, the net economic benefit of elk viewing was estimated to range from $21/trip to $53/trip. When aggregated across the population, the total economic value of the elk-viewing opportunity generated from this restoration program was estimated to be as high as $6.95 million. Results from this study will be useful in characterizing the economic benefits of elk viewing and providing economic justification for restoration programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zbornik Radova: Univerzitet 'Džemal Bijedić' u Mostaru, Ekonomski Fakultet is the property of Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar, Faculty of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With abundant natural and cultural resources, Indonesia has great potential in the tourism sector significantly contributing to GDP. To achieve its long-term benefits, there is a need to address tourism development, focusing mainly on how to create various types of tourism combined with education and the environment, such as agritourism. Mekarsari Fruit Garden (MFG) is Indonesia's largest agritourism destination and education, research, and training center for horticultural plant germplasm. Although MFG experienced a 70% drastic decrease in visitors in 2013, visitors started to increase in 2014. However, MFG has not reached the same number of visitors as its peak years. This study aimed to determine visitor perception and agritourism economic value of MFG in Bogor Regency, West Java, towards finding sustainable and innovative ways to increase visitors and expand the business. Specifically, this study aimed to identify visitor characteristics and their perception of MFG using factor analysis, determine the frequency of visits and economic value using the travel cost method, and formulate the sustainable development plan for MFG. A questionnaire survey of 321 visitor-respondents and key-informant interviews of MFG executives were also conducted. Factor analysis on visitor perception identified three factors: (1) location, facilities, and agritourism operation characteristics, (2) agritourism attractiveness characteristics, and (3) agritourism support characteristics. Moreover, the travel cost method revealed that MFG had a high economic value amounting to Rp 107 billion per year. As a recommendation, MFG should continue its operations and improve its facilities and services offered due to prevailing high economic value and the willingness of its visitors to pay more, in addition to its significant role as the preservation and education center of tropical horticulture in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the recreational value of tourist destinations is important because natural resources provide services that possess non-market values. They are considered as public goods, whereby society tends to overexploit and overconsume. In this regard, the valuation of four selected tourist destinations in Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines was determined. This study specifically aims to (1) estimate the demand function and consumer surplus of tourists, (2) determine the factors affecting the number of visits of tourists in every destination, (3) determine the tourists’ willingness to pay for entrance fee for each destination and (4) provide policy implications for local policy-makers and resource managers. On-site surveys were conducted to gather primary data. A total of 125 respondents were interviewed after selection through consecutive sampling. Using pseudo Poisson maximum likelihood estimator, results reveal that the recreational value of Buho Rock Resort, Lake Danao Park, Santiago Bay White Beach and Bukilat Cave in a year is PhP 617,468,921.00; PhP 199, 094,291.80; PhP 113, 304, 987.20 and PhP 408,021,345.90, respectively. These values can be considered as high recreational values implying the relevance of preserving and protecting these sites from overexploitation. Given these high recreational value estimates, the local government units and resource managers are suggested to formulate scientifically sound policies that will ensure the preservation and protection of the tourist destinations from overexploitation.

In an era of pressure on government resources, nonprofits can serve an important role in the provision of services to the public. However, without clear and quantifiable estimates of their impact, it is difficult for policymakers to justify allocating governmental resources toward these services. This is especially the case for ephemeral opportunities that arise without substantial advance notice or a special program that occurs only once (contrasted to programs that nonprofits provide on a continuing basis). This research note presents economic impact estimates for a unique example of a remarkable effort involving numerous entities from the government, for‐profit, and nonprofit sectors. Our contribution is to exemplify methods that might be used to assess the economic impact of ephemeral or one‐time events. Of course, each situation is unique, so the judgment of the analyst is always a key input. Using three survey‐generated data points per respondent, nonprofits can replicate the methods of this study to assess the economic impact of special events herein. With estimates such as the ones examined herein, policymakers can contrast the benefits of special events with their costs in order to determine if such events are worthwhile investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor recreation is important for improving quality of life, well-being, and local economies, but quantifying its value without direct monetary transactions can be challenging. This study explores combining non-market valuation techniques with emerging big data sources to estimate the value of recreation for the York River and surrounding parks in Virginia. By applying the travel cost method to anonymous human mobility data, we gain deeper insights into the significance of recreational experiences for visitors and the local economy. Results of a zero-inflated Negative Binomial model show a mean consumer surplus value of $26.91 per trip, totaling $15.5 million across nearly 600,000 trips observed in 2022. Further, weekends, holidays, and the summer and fall months are found to be peak visitation times, whereas those with young children and who are Hispanic or over 64 years old are less likely to visit. These findings shed light on various factors influencing visitation patterns and recreation values, including temporal effects and socio-demographics, revealing disparities that warrant targeted efforts for inclusivity and accessibility. Policymakers can use these insights to make informed and sustainable choices in outdoor recreation management, fostering the preservation of natural resources for the benefit of both visitors and the environment. • Human mobility data applied to travel cost model to estimate recreation values. • Weekends, holidays, and the summer and fall months are peak visitation times. • Lower visitation from those over 64 years, Hispanic, or with young children. • Total recreation value of $15.5 million across trips observed in 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good knowledge about the economic value of a particular tourist destination is the primary fundamental in effective management policy formulation. In 2015, the Aik Nyet Nature Tourism (Aik Nyet), which covers an area of approximately 9.4 ha, is one of the tourist destinations planned to receive donation from the Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) for the improvement and development of the facilities and infrastructures as well as the capacity building for the people around the tourist location. Using the travel cost methods this study estimates the economic benefits of the recreational value in the Aik Nyet before the realization of the donation from the Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara. Consumers’ surplus per individual per visit is estimated using the data collected from the survey in the tourist location. Using poisson regression, the total travel costs (that includes such variables as transportation cost, consumption cost, and location entrance cost) are considered in the study to explain the frequency of individual’s visit to the tourist location. The results of the study suggest that the economic recreational value generated by the Aik Nyet before the realization of the government’s financial support is approximately Rp. 9.333.627, 7 per year.

The paper discusses and analyses some basic issues about economic valuation of high natural value areas. As a concrete illustration, but also to enable an account of some central general topics, the paper also deals with the valuation of high natural value areas in Central Roztocze. The valuation was performed using the individual travel cost method. The valuation was carried out on the basis of results of a survey (n = 323) and statistical data. The calculation includes the travel cost, the costs of accommodation, the costs spent on special equipment rental and other costs associated with the visit to the study area. Moreover, the calculation takes into account the information about the amount of time respondents spent in the study area and information about the total number of visitors per year to the study area. The determined total travel cost was PLN 66.861. The average individual travel cost per one user amounted to PLN 207. In order to determine the total value of the high natural value areas of Central Roztocze it was necessary to combine the number of tourists visiting the site during the year and the average cost of travel. The total number of visitors per year is 750.000. The calculations show that the total economic value (understood as defined here) of the high natural value areas in Central Roztocze is PLN 155.250.000.

The Urban Park Act was revised in 2017, in which a new Park-PFI system to select private companies through public offering was introduced. The system is a new park maintenance and management method to improve the quality of urban parks and the convenience of park users while encouraging good investment by the private sector in urban parks and reducing the financial burden on park managers. In this study, we analyzed the case of introducing the private sector's expertise into urban park maintenance projects, clarified the background and contents of the projects, and compared the system with the conventional method of public-private partnership projects for urban parks. Furthermore, we implemented a survey on the actual situation of Senri-Minami Park in Suita City. Based on the survey results, we evaluated and analyzed the direct benefi ts obtained from using the Travel Cost Method. Based on the above, this study examined the feasibility and the requirements of establishing public-private collaboration projects in urban parks through literature review, fact-finding survey, and benefi t analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]