Friday, January 17, 2014

Economic valuation of preventing beach erosion: comparing existing and non-existing beach markets with stated and revealed preferences

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21606544.2013.863742
Abstract
Predicted climate change is likely to increase beach erosion in the future, inducing higher costs of beach maintenance. Hence, additional funds for their protection will be required. We examine the willingness to pay (WTP) of beach visitors for preventing beach erosion in the form of daily beach entrance fees in Crikvenica, Croatia, by applying the contingent valuation method. This is the first beach valuation study for this country in transition which has emerged as an important Mediterranean tourist destination. The novelty of our study is that it compares WTP estimates for an existing and a non-existing beach market. This is done by conducting a survey at the beach where an entrance fee is already levied and at the nearest open-access beach. Based on the initial (follow-up) valuation question, the stated WTP per adult per day for avoiding beach erosion equals €1.69 (€1.26) for the paid beach and €2.08 (€1.84) for the free beach. In addition, the travel cost method is employed. It reveals that consumer surpluses for visiting the paid and the free beach amount to €2.57 and €1.74, respectively.
by Ivana Logarab* & Jeroen C.J.M. van den Berghacde
Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy via Taylor and Francis www.tandfonline.com
Volume 3, Issue 1; 2014; pages 46-66; DOI: 10.1080/21606544.2013.863742; Published online: 05 Dec 2013
Keywords: contingent valuation, Croatia, entrance fees, stated and revealed preferences, travel cost method

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