The tourist recreational demand for coastal forests: Do forests really matter?

Abstract

This paper explores the possible impact of the combination of forest and non-forest settings on recreation values. We extend the traditional contingent valuation method by introducing seven dichotomous choice occasions. To answer each valuation question, each respondent is asked to choose between a policy scheme and the status quo. Each scheme is composed of various programmes while each programme is linked to the recreational quality of one natural area. An extra distance is used as a proxy of the bid. The results show that respondents distinguish between schemes according to the number of programmes included. Nevertheless, a “substitution effect” occurs when all programmes are supposed to be implemented. Individual WTP ranges from €6.51 for the forest alone (e.g. 55.35 extra kilometres per group-vehicle) to €18.11 (e.g. 153.9 extra kilometres per group-vehicle) for the complete scheme. Our results stress the fact that recreation in forests must not be isolated from other natural areas. From a more general point of view, valuation based on multi-attribute approaches must be favoured on “multi-environment” sites.