Economics in leisure planning: limitations in English practice

Little evidence exists about the extent of the use of economics, particularly cost-benefit analysis, regional economics and land evaluations, in leisure planning practice in England. A survey of 15 public agencies indicates a reluctance to use economics. The inherent and operational limitations of economics, the lack of relevance of economics and limitations in planning practice are cited as the main causes. The author suggests that improvements in predictive economic models, the recreation database and the intelligibility of economics, and a reappraisal by planners of the leisure resource allocation process are likely to improve the use of economics in leisure planning practice.