This study determined the extent of tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Caramoan beachscape beauty conservation; it will input into the plans for establishing a payment for ecosystem services scheme for the sustainable development of ecotourism and coastal resource management in the area. Results show that half the tourists are willing to pay for beachscape beauty conservation to promote its sustainability. Distrust of the management of generated conservation funds served as the main basis for unwillingness to pay. The visitors’ WTP is estimated at PhP 897 and Php 1,147, when protest and uncertain responses were not considered. Using these mean WTPs, the total economic value of conserving the beachscapes is estimated at PhP 10.76 and PhP 13.764 million annually, respectively. These estimates justify the relevance of investing public funds to pursue sustainable beachscape ecotourism development in Caramoan.
Economic Valuation of Caramoan, Camarines Sur Beachscape: An Environmental Services Payment Scheme for Sustainable Ecotourism
by Raul G. Bradecina
- Download: Full Research Report
- Publication Year: 2014
- Country: Philippines
- Sector: Blue
- Type: Small Research Grant
- Research Area: Coastal/Marine
- Research Topic: Marine Tourism and Community Management
- Analytical Framework: Benefit Valuation