Assessment of the recreational use of the Region of Murcia's Natural Protected Areas

Abstract

Increased recreational and sporting activity in the natural habitat leads to problems in good management. The difficulty of placing an economic value on the environment arises because it is an asset for which there is no commercial market, it is not easy to quantify in supply and demand terms, and therefore it is difficult to determine an exact valuation. However, using environmental valuation methods, such as contingent valuation, and willingness to pay combined with visual approach techniques, it was possible to make an estimate of how much cyclists (€10) and hikers (€20) would be willing to contribute for the improvement and maintenance of trails. With this data, managers of national parks will have more information to enable them to manage policies aimed at developing management improvement projects and conservation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the willingness of the users (cyclists and hikers) of the Natural Protected Areas in the Region of Murcia to pay (economic estimate) for the conservation and improvement of paths and trails to enable their better recreational use. The sample was a total of 100 subjects, 50 of whom were cyclists and 50 hikers. The data collection was spread over several months and organised in two different natural areas.