The economic value of flower tourism at the Namaqua national park, South Africa

Abstract

The travel cost method was used to estimate the economic recreational value of flower viewing at the Namaqua National Park. Demographic, time, expenditure, preference and route information was collected by means of interviews with 160 South African nationals who visited the park in their own vehicles. Visitors spent an average of $US108 on transportation and $US84 on accommodation in the region. A zonal travel-cost model was developed which suggests that flower viewing is of greater economic recreational value than the annual net loss to the park of $US50 000 when only its expenses and revenue are considered.