Why People Visit Zoos: An Empirical Approach Using the Travel Cost Method for the Higashiyama Zoo, Nagoya, Japan

Abstract

This paper evaluates the cost and other benefits accumulated by the Higashiyama Zoo of the Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens due to recent renovations. We examine changes in values and appreciation of visitors. The simple method of travel cost is applied to study consumer surplus of the zoo, which preliminarily indicates a surplus of 4566 yen.