Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-dfsvx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T04:46:45.448Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Valuing marine parks in a small island developing state: a travel cost analysis in Seychelles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2013

Paul Mwebaze  and
Alan MacLeod
Paul Mwebaze
Affiliation:
The Commonwealth, Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; and The Food and Environment Research Agency, York, UK. Tel: +61-424804293. E-mail: paul.mwebaze@csiro.au; mpaul48@hotmail.com
Alan MacLeod
Affiliation:
The Food and Environment Research Agency, York, UK. E-mail: alan.macleod@fera.gsi.gov.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A major problem facing the Seychelles islands is the decline in the quality and the value of marine protected areas (MPAs). Economic valuation can help guide policy makers to understand the value of marine resources and the cost of neglecting MPAs by expressing the value of their goods and services in monetary terms. This paper presents an analysis of the economic value of a group of marine parks in Seychelles. The travel cost method is used to establish willingness-to-pay of international tourists for trips to marine parks in Seychelles from their observed behaviour. The average per-trip consumer surplus is approximately €128 for single-site visitors and €65 for multiple-site visitors. The total social welfare value attributable to the recreational opportunity in marine parks is approximately €3.7 million annually. These results provide policy makers with a strong justification for government investment needed to maintain marine sites in Seychelles.

Type
Special Section on Biodiversity-based development in Small Island Developing States
Information
Environment and Development Economics , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , August 2013 , pp. 405 - 426
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alban, F., Appere, G., and Boncoeur, J. (2006), ‘Economic analysis of marine protected areas: a literature review’, EMPAFISH Project, Booklet No. 3, London, p. 51.Google Scholar
Antha, S. (2010), ‘Impacts of climate change on marine protected areas: the Seychelles experience’, Victoria, Seychelles.Google Scholar
Bennett, J. (1996), ‘Estimating the recreational use values of national parks’, Tourism Economics 2(4): 303–320.Google Scholar
Bin, O., Landry, C.E., Ellis, C.L., and Vogelsong, H. (2005), ‘Some consumer surplus estimate for North Carolina beaches’, Marine Resource Economics 20: 145–161.Google Scholar
Birol, E., Karousakis, K., and Koundouri, P. (2006), ‘Using a choice experiment to account for preferences heterogeneity in wetland attributes: the case of Cheimaditida wetland in Greece’, Ecological Economics 60: 145–156.Google Scholar
Boersma, P.D. and Parrish, J.K. (1999), ‘Limiting abuse: marine protected areas, a limited solution’, Ecological Economics 31: 287–304.Google Scholar
Brander, L.M., van Beukering, P., and Cesar, H.S. (2007), ‘The recreational value of coral reefs: a meta-analysis’, Ecological Economics 63: 209–218.Google Scholar
Briguglio, L. (1995), ‘Small island developing states and their economic vulnerabilities’, World Development 23(9): 1615–1632.Google Scholar
Cameron, A.C. and Trivedi, P.K. (1986), ‘Econometric models based on count data: comparisons and applications of some estimators and tests’, Journal of Applied Econometrics 1: 29–53.Google Scholar
Cameron, A.C. and Trivedi, P.K. (1990), ‘Regression-based tests for overdispersion in the Poisson model’, Journal of Econometrics 46(3): 347–364.Google Scholar
Cesar, H., Van Beukering, P.V., Payet, R., and Grandcourt, E. (2004), ‘Evaluation of the socio-economic impacts of marine ecosystem degradation in the Seychelles’, Final Report to the Government of Seychelles, SEYMEMP, Victoria, Seychelles.Google Scholar
Cesario, F. (1976), ‘Value of time in recreation benefit studies’, Land Economics 52: 32–41.Google Scholar
Cesario, F.J. and Knetsch, J.L. (1970), ‘Time bias in recreation benefit estimates’, Water Resources Research 6(3): 700–704.Google Scholar
Chakraborty, K. and Keith, J.E. (2000), ‘Estimating the recreation demand and economic value of mountain biking in Moab, Utah: an application of count data models’, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 43(4): 461–469.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choe, K., Whittington, D., and Lauria, D. (1996), ‘The economic benefits of surface water quality improvements in developing countries: a case study of Davao, Philippines’, Land Economics 74(2): 519–537.Google Scholar
Coupal, R.H., Bastian, C.T., May, J.A., and Taylor, D.T. (2001), ‘Economic benefits of snowmobiling in Wyoming: a travel cost approach with market segmentation’, Journal of Leisure Research 33( 4): 492–510.Google Scholar
Coupal, R.H., Bastian, C.T., and Taylor, D.T. (2002), ‘Economic benefits of sport fishing and angler wildlife watching in Pennsylvania: a comment’, Journal of Travel Research 41: 210–211.Google Scholar
Creel, M.D. and Loomis, J.B. (1990), ‘Theoretical and empirical advantages of truncated count estimators for analysis of deer hunting in California’, American Journal of Agricultural Economics 72( 1): 434–441.Google Scholar
Creel, M. and Loomis, J.B. (1991), ‘Confidence intervals for welfare measures with application to a problem of truncated counts’, Review of Economics and Statistics 73( 2): 370–373.Google Scholar
Domingue, G., Payet, R., and Shah, N.J. (1999), ‘Status and management of the Marine Protected Areas in the Republic of Seychelles’, Report to UNEP/FAO, MT/1100-99-70, ICRAN Project, Eastern African Component, Mahé, Seychelles.Google Scholar
du Preez, M. and Hosking, S.G. (2011), ‘The value of the trout fishery at Rhodes, North Eastern Cape, South Africa: a travel cost analysis using count data models’, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 54(2): 267–282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Englin, J.E. and Shonkwiler, J.S. (1995), ‘Estimating social welfare using count data models: an application to long-run recreation demand under conditions of endogenous stratification and truncation’, Review of Economics and Statistics 77: 104–112.Google Scholar
Farr, M., Stoeckl, N., and Beg, R.A. (2011), ‘The efficiency of the environmental management charge in the Cairns management area of the Great Barrier Reef marine park’, Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 55: 322–341.Google Scholar
Fix, O.P. and Loomis, J. (1997), ‘The economic benefits of mountain biking at one of its Meccas: an application of the travel cost method to mountain biking in Moab, Utah’, Journal of Leisure Research 29(3): 342–352.Google Scholar
Fix, P. and Loomis, J. (1998), ‘Comparing the economic value of mountain biking estimated using revealed and stated preference’, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 41(2): 227–236.Google Scholar
Fleming, C.M. and Cook, A. (2008), ‘The recreational value of Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island: an application of the travel cost method’, Tourism Management 29(6): 1197–1205.Google Scholar
Freeman, A.M. (2003), The Measurement of Environmental and Resource Values: Theory and Methods, Washington, DC: Resources for the Future.Google Scholar
Grogger, J.T. and Carson, R.T. (1991), ‘Models for truncated counts’, Journal of Applied Econometrics 6: 225–238.Google Scholar
Hagerty, D. and Moeltner, K. (2005), ‘Specification of driving costs in models of recreation demand’, Land Economics 81( 1): 127–143.Google Scholar
Hanley, N. and Barbier, E.B. (2009), Pricing Nature: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Environmental Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.Google Scholar
Hanley, N., Bell, D., and Alvarez-Farizo, B. (2003), ‘Valuing the benefits of coastal water quality improvements using contingent and real behaviour’, Environmental and Resource Economics 24(3): 273–285.Google Scholar
Herath, G. and Kennedy, J. (2004), ‘Estimating the economic value of Mount Buffalo National Park with the travel cost and contingent valuation models’, Tourism Economics 10(1): 63–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, T.P. and Englin, J.E. (2010), ‘Preference heterogeneity in a count data model of demand for off-highway vehicle recreation’, Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 39(1): 75–88.Google Scholar
Ikin, R. and Dogley, D. (2005), ‘Invasive alien species review for the UNDP-GEF PDF-B project, mainstreaming biodiversity in the Seychelles’, Final Report, UNDP, Seychelles.Google Scholar
IMF (2012), ‘World Economic Outlook Database’, [Available at] http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/01/index.htm.Google Scholar
Jennings, S., Marshall, S.S., and Polunin, N.V.C. (1996), ‘Seychelles marine protected areas: comparative structure and status of reef fish communities’, Biological Conservation 75: 201–209.Google Scholar
Jeuland, M., Lucas, M., Clemens, J., and Whittington, D. (2010), ‘Estimating the private benefits of vaccination against cholera in Beira, Mozambique: a travel cost approach’, Journal of Development Economics 91: 310–322.Google Scholar
Johnston, R.J., Ranson, M.H., Besedin, E.Y., and Helm, E.C. (2006), ‘What determines willingness to pay per fish? A meta-analysis of recreational fishing values’, Marine Resource Economics 21(1): 1–32.Google Scholar
Loomis, J. (2003), ‘Travel cost demand model based river recreation benefit estimates with onsite and household surveys: comparative results and a correction procedure’, Water Resources Research 39(4): 1105.Google Scholar
Loomis, J. (2006), ‘A comparison of the effect of multiple destination trips on recreation benefits as estimated by travel cost and contingent valuation methods’, Journal of Leisure Research 38(1): 46–60.Google Scholar
Loomis, J.B. and Walsh, R.G. (1997), Recreation Economic Decisions: Comparing Benefits and Costs, 2nd ednPennsylvania: Venture Publishing.Google Scholar
Loomis, J., Yorizane, S., and Larson, D. (2000), ‘Testing significance of multi-destination and multipurpose trip effects in a travel cost method demand model for whale watching trips’, Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 29(1): 183–191.Google Scholar
Lutchman, I. (2005), Marine Protected Areas: Benefits and Costs for Islands, Hilversum, The Netherlands: WWF.Google Scholar
Maille, P. and Mendelsohn, R. (1993), ‘Valuing ecotourism in Madagascar’, Journal of Environmental Management 38: 213–218.Google Scholar
Martinez-Espineira, R. and Amoako-Tuffour, J. (2008), ‘Recreation demand analysis under truncation, overdispersion and endogenous stratification: an application to Gros Morne National Park’, Journal of Environmental Management 88: 1320–1322.Google Scholar
Mathieu, L.F., Langford, I.H., and Kenyon, W. (2003), ‘Valuing marine parks in a developing country: a case study of the Seychelles’, Environment and Development Economics 8( 1): 373–390.Google Scholar
McConnell, K. and Strand, I. (1981), ‘Measuring the cost of time in recreation demand analysis: application to sport fishing’, American Journal of Agricultural Economics 61: 153–156.Google Scholar
Mendelsohn, R., Hof, J., Peterson, G., and Johnson, R. (1992), ‘Measuring recreation values with multiple destination trips’, American Journal of Agricultural Economics 74(4): 926–933.Google Scholar
Menkhaus, S. and Lober, D.J. (1996), ‘International ecotourism and the valuation of tropical rainforests in Costa Rica’, Journal of Environmental Management 47: 1–10.Google Scholar
Mwebaze, P. and Bennett, J. (2012), ‘Valuing Australian botanic collections: a combined travel-cost and contingent valuation study’, Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 56(4): 498–520.Google Scholar
Mwebaze, P., MacLeod, A., Tomlinson, D., Barois, H., and Rijpma, J. (2010), ‘Economic valuation of the influence of invasive alien species on the national economy of the Seychelles Islands’, Ecological Economics 69(12): 2614–2623.Google Scholar
Myers, N.R., Mitteremeier, R., Mitteremeier, C., da Fonseca, G., and Kent, J. (2000), ‘Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities’, Nature 403, 24 February, 853–859.Google Scholar
Nunes, P.A.L.D. and van den Bergh, C.J.M. (2004), ‘Can people value protection against invasive marine species? Evidence from a joint TC–CV survey in the Netherlands’, Environmental and Resource Economics 28: 517–532.Google Scholar
Parsons, G.R. (2003), ‘The travel cost method’, in Champ, P.A., Boyle, K.J. and Brown, T.C. (eds), A Primer on Nonmarket Valuation, Boston, MA: Kluwer Academic, pp. 269–329.Google Scholar
Parsons, G.R. and Wilson, A.J. (1997), ‘Incidental and joint consumption in recreation demand’, Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 26, 1–6.Google Scholar
Pelling, M. and Uitto, J.I. (2001), ‘Small island developing states: natural disaster vulnerability and global change’, Environmental Hazards 3: 49–62.Google Scholar
Pendleton, L.H. (1995), ‘Valuing coral reef protection’, Ocean & Coastal Management 26(2): 119–131.Google Scholar
Prayaga, P., Rolfe, J., and Sinden, J. (2006), ‘A travel cost analysis of the value of special events: Gemfest in Central Queensland’, Tourism Economics 12(3): 403–420.Google Scholar
Prayaga, P., Rolfe, J., and Stoeckl, N. (2010), ‘The value of recreational fishing in The Great Barrier Reef, Australia: a pooled revealed preference and contingent behaviour model’, Marine Policy 34: 244–251.Google Scholar
Republic of Seychelles (2010), Third National Report to the Convention of Biological Diversity, Victoria, Seychelles: Department of Environment.Google Scholar
Republic of Seychelles (2011), Seychelles in Figures, Victoria, Seychelles: National Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
Rolfe, J. and Dyack, B. (2010), ‘Testing for convergent validity between travel cost and contingent valuation estimates of recreation values in the Coorong, Australia’, Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 54: 583–599.Google Scholar
Seychelles Nation (2009), ‘Marine protected areas make economic sense’, Seychelles Nation 17 June.Google Scholar
Shaw, D. (1988), ‘On-site sampling regression: problems of non-negative integers, truncation and endogenous stratification’, Journal of Econometrics 37: 211–223.Google Scholar
Shrestha, R.K., Seidl, A.F., and Moraes, A.S. (2002), ‘Value of recreational fishing in the Brazilian Pantanal: a travel cost analysis using count data models’, Ecological Economics 42: 289–299.Google Scholar
Stoeckl, N. and Mules, T. (2006), ‘A travel cost analysis of the Australian Alps’, Tourism Economics 12(4): 495–518.Google Scholar
Tietenberg, T. and Lewis, L. (2011), Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 9th edn, Pearson, NJ: Pearson.Google Scholar
Turner, J., Klaus, R., and Englehardt, U. (2000), ‘The reefs of the granitic islands of the Seychelles’, in Souter, D., Obura, D. and Linden, O. (eds), Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean, Stockholm, Sweden: CORDIO/SAREC, pp. 77–86.Google Scholar
UNESCO (2011), Building Island Resilience – UNESCO's Intersectoral Platform for SIDS, Paris: UNESCO.Google Scholar
Ward, F.A. and Beal, D. (2000), Valuing Nature with Travel Cost Models: A Manual, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.Google Scholar