Economics, Trade and Incentive Measures

 
Submission
ID 27483
 
Main Information
Title International Ecotourism and the Valuation of Tropical Rainforests in Costa Rica
Description Tropical rainforests have many values beyond the timber they hold and theirpotential as sites for agriculture and cattle grazing. This study examined one ofthese additional values, rainforests as places for ecotourism. The study determined the value that tourists from the U.S. place on Costa Rican rainforests as ecotourism destinations, using the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a sampling site for tourism to Costa Rica's protected areas. The valuation method used was the travel cost model, a non-market valuation approach which uses travel expenses as a proxy for the value of the park. Data were collected by a survey of 240 U.S. Tourists. This study found that the valueplaced by U.S. Ecotourists on visiting Costa Rican rainforests was $1150 pervisit. This value can be used in policy making to better assess all the alternativeland uses available
 
Additional Information
Authors Menkhaus, Susan; Lober, Douglas J.
Source Menkhaus, Susan; Lober, Douglas J. (1996): “International Ecotourism and the Valuation of Tropical Rainforests in Costa Rica” Journal of Environmental Management 47, 1-10.
Countries Costa Rica
Ecosystems Forest Biodiversity
Regions Latin America and the Caribbean
Incentive Measures Economic Valuation
Keywords Tourism
Travel cost valuation