Using economic valuation to guide the management of outdoor recreation resources.

This paper considers the role of economic valuation in tourism research and in the management of recreation resources, focussing on the newly designated Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Scotland. Emphasis is placed on discussion of a travel cost model and a contingent valuation model, both developed in order to value trips to the study area - Loch Lomond - and to assess how trip values relate to environmental policy and management. We consider three management problems: noise, crowding and environmental damage. We argue that environmental valuation is a valuable tool for management of tourism resources such as national parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]