scholarly journals Understanding Tourists’ Willingness-to-Pay for Rural Landscape Improvement and Preference Heterogeneity

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Cong ◽  
Yujun Zhang ◽  
Ching-Hui (Joan) Su ◽  
Ming-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Jinnan Wang

With the vigorous development of urbanization and rural tourism, the landscape of villages and towns has undergone tremendous changes under the influence of policies and industries. In order to avoid irreversible changes in the local heritage landscape and promote local sustainable development, it is necessary to strengthen the attention and research on the rural recreation landscape. This research examines the value of rural landscape recreation by applying the choice experiment method (CEM) to a suburban area in Sichuan, China. Mixed logit models were adopted in examining tourists’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for rural landscape improvement and preference heterogeneity. An assessment of the rural landscape’s recreational value was made using the compensating surplus calculation method. Results reported are of four important landscape elements: ecological environment, rural life and associated productive landscape, rural housing, and service landscape, ranked by tourists from high-to-low. A major finding of the research is that an increase in rural tourism is dependent upon improvements to landscape elements. The results of this research can provide policymakers with valuable information necessary to develop a successful plan to attract and increase tourism in rural areas of China.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Ding ◽  
Awudu Abdulai

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine smallholders’ preferences and willingness to pay for microcredit products with varying attribute combinations, in order to contribute to the debate on the optimal design of rural microcredit. Design/methodology/approach Data used in this study are based on a discrete choice experiment from 552 randomly selected respondents. Mixed logit and latent class models are estimated to examine the choice probability and sources of preference heterogeneity. Endogenous attribute attendance models are applied to account for attribute non-attendance (ANA) phenomenon, focusing on separate non-attendance probability as well as joint non-attendance probability. Findings The results demonstrate that preference heterogeneity and ANA exist in the smallholder farmers’ microcredit choices. Averagely, smallholder farmers prefer longer credit period, smaller credit size, lower transaction costs and lower interest rate. Guarantor collateral method and installment repayment positively affect their preferences as well. Moreover, respondents are found to be willing to pay more for the attributes they consider important. The microcredit providers are able to attract new customers under the current interest rates, if the combination of attributes is appropriately adjusted. Originality/value This study contributes to the debate by assessing the preference trade-off of different microcredit attributes more comprehensively than in previous analyses, by taking preference heterogeneity and ANA into account.


Author(s):  
V. Byba

It is revealed that on the basis of socio-economic relations a system of moral and cultural values ​​of the farmer's professional activity, which is influenced by national peculiarities of agricultural production, as well as the acquired experience and traditions, is formed. The article considers the market transformations of the domestic economy, which resulted in the manifestation of destabilizing factors in the production and sales activity and the possibilities of expanded reproduction. In the study of the activities of farms conducted an assessment of their behavior in the context of medium, large and small business entities. The corresponding calculations have been carried out, which made it possible to conclude that the value of profitability of small farms is subjectively underestimated as a result of shadowing of their production and economic activity. It is argued that the diversification of the activities of farms creates positive externalities, in particular, the preservation of the features of the rural landscape and the creation of jobs in rural areas, reducing pollution and improving the quality of the soil. The average length of employment in the production process is determined, which is 2-3 months in terms of full employment, which requires substantiation of diversification of production activities. It has been established that the shadowing of the activities of members of farms is mainly related to non-agricultural activities, and is conditioned by the peculiarities of taxation of such farms. It is proved that the application of the grading principle of aggregate income will enable the tax payer to be taken into account when calculating the amount of tax, and therefore more consistent with the principle of social justice. It is substantiated that the formation of a strategy of diversification of domestic agricultural production based on the experience of leading countries requires its implementation taking into account national peculiarities and factors of influence. The following main internal and external factors that influence the process of diversification are distinguished: external – the development of the regional economy and the local labor market, the state of their infrastructure; among the internal factors: the level of education, age structure of the population, social capital in the countryside, the position of commodity producers in the industry, which are supported by state programs. Based on the study of rural tourism development opportunities based on FАRM and expert assessments, 37% of farmers can realize the idea of ​​creating conditions for rural tourism on their own, due to the lack of infrastructure of farms and rural areas. Among the main conditions for the development of rural tourism on the basis of farms are as follows: definition of the potential of rural tourism development at the regional level, ensuring the safety of tourists living, working out the schemes of visiting tourist routes, attracting tourists working in the region, organizing a large-scale advertising campaign. Key words: farm, diversification, rural tourism, folk crafts, non-agricultural activity, taxation.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Crespo-Cebada ◽  
Carlos Díaz-Caro ◽  
Rafael Robina-Ramírez ◽  
M. Isabel Sánchez-Hernández

The economic valuation of goods that do not have a market, like services offered by natural parks, provide a lot of information for the purpose of policy making on the conservation and protection of the natural environment, as well as for establishing park use strategies for potential park visitors. In this respect, this paper aims to analyse visitor preferences for Cornalvo Natural Park, which has been classed, since 1992, as a Site of Community Importance. To do this, we conducted an analysis adopting the choice experiment methodology to determine visitor preferences for a set of attributes. Additionally, we included a visitor preference heterogeneity analysis based on a mixed logit model in order to calculate individual willingness to pay with respect to a set of previously specified attributes. Finally, we also implemented the latent class methodology to define groups of individuals with similar characteristics. The information was gathered from visitor surveys conducted during 2019. The main results show that tourists had a high preference and willingness to pay for higher biodiversity levels and lower numbers of visitors, whereas the other attributes were less relevant. Additionally, we detected some degree of heterogeneity in willingness to pay by sex, age and income. Finally, Latent class analysis identified two visitor classes, determined primarily by age and income.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Owusu ◽  
Florence Sefakor Dekagbey

This study uses choice experiment to investigate men and women consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay for edible mushrooms in Ghana. We used a mixed logit model to examine preference heterogeneity. The econometric modelling revealed that men consumers have a negative utility for oyster mushrooms compared to straw mushrooms. They also have preference for cheap and locally cultivated mushrooms compared to expensive and imported mushrooms. However, women consumers have preferences for the shiitake mushroom variety compared to the straw mushroom variety. They also prefer cheap mushrooms irrespective of their location and such mushrooms must be frozen and not fresh. The findings highlight variation between men and women in preferences for mushroom variety, however, both have preferences for low prices, suggesting that both genders are economically rational and obey the law of demand. JEL codes: B21, D12


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melaku Tarekegn Takele ◽  
Belaynesh Awoke ◽  
Eshetie Woretaw Merid

Abstract Ecosystem services have not market price. In Ethiopia, choke mountain wetland ecosystem has major contribution for providing water, regulating climate, and offering recreational. Valuing this natural resource helps to protect it from damage. The objective of the study is to value choke mountain wetland ecosystem by using choice experiment. To value it the attributes are biodiversity, recreational service, water availability, job opportunity, and monetary payment. Primary data was collected from 270 sample households. Both descriptive and econometrics analysis were conducted. The study found that households had good awareness about the choke mountain wetland ecosystem services. Mixed logit models were used for valuation, and all attributes are significant to affect the probability of choosing an alternative scenario. The study found that households gave higher value for biodiversity improvement than the rest and water availability is the least preferable attributes. The total WTP for the first and second alternatives was 7,133,034.216 and 7,031,211.146 respectively; it was high in the second alternative. Moreover, compensating surplus which reflect overall willingness to pay for a change from the status quo to alternative improvement scenarios were estimated. Estimated results for high improvement scenario and medium improvement scenario were ETB 2,119,457.028 and 1,955,828.606 respectively.


2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Sillano ◽  
Juan de Dios Ortúzar

Mixed-logit models are currently the state of the art in discrete-choice modelling, and their estimation in various forms (in particular, mixing revealed-preference and stated-preference data) is becoming increasingly popular. Although the theory behind these models is fairly simple, the practical problems associated with their estimation with empirical data are still relatively unknown and certainly not solved to everybody's satisfaction. In this paper we use a stated-preference dataset—previously used to derive willingness to pay for reduction in atmospheric pollution and subjective values of time—to estimate random parameter mixed logit models with different estimation methods. We use our results to discuss in some depth the problems associated with the derivation of willingness to pay with this class of models.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (6(J)) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Ikechukwu O. Ezeuduji

Well-conceived and effectively managed rural tourism brand in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can help build favourable reputation which enhances the confidence of tourists. The purpose of this paper is to formulate brand essence (functional and emotional benefits derivable from a brand) and brand position statement, for SSA’s rural tourism development. This study conducted descriptive analysis of brand essence for SSA’s rural tourism development. It is exploratory, rather than conclusive in nature. Functional benefits of SSA’s rural tourism include her diverse natural and cultural attributes, friendliness of population, climatic conditions, and unique rural landscape. Her emotional benefits include the ‘feel-good’ factor when tourists are offered the ‘rural idyll’ experience not found in any other continent or sub-continent, or buy local foods and souvenirs. This positive feeling of visiting SSA’s rural areas adds richness and depth to the tourists’ experience of being involved with her brand. The knowledge of rural tourism brand essence can help SSA’s local communities, local governments and national governments to communicate not just the functional values, but also the emotional values of visiting rural areas to tourists. This will lead to particular relationships between local communities and stakeholders to enact these emotional values or rewards. SSA’s rural tourism brand positioning statement could read: “To tourists seeking nostalgic experiences, novelty and escape, rural SSA offers authentic rural landscape, ‘rural idyll’ experience, and amazing friendly populations”.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1644-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L Ortega ◽  
Jayson L Lusk ◽  
Wen Lin ◽  
Vincenzina Caputo

Abstract We propose a novel framework using individual choice data and Bayesian updating to predict which consumers are most responsive to information—namely those consumers whose pre-information choices reveal a high level of uncertainty surrounding their preferences. We apply our method to the study of consumer acceptance of genetically modified animal products, which prior research has revealed is a particularly polarising subject. Utilising conditional willingness-to-pay estimates from mixed logit models, we find that individuals with higher preference uncertainty prior to receiving information are most responsive. Implications of our results are discussed in the context of recent breakthroughs in biotechnology.


Author(s):  
Pankaj Sharma ◽  
Ravi Parkash

The paper analyze the role of rural tourism for the development of rural areas, The study analyzed how the different types of tourist product diversifications influence the development possibilities of studied rural areas in India. The government should sponsor private Sector to promote tourism in rural areas. For upgrading the rural tourism government requires to understand the rural location, demography, socio-culture, financial and political background of that area. How we can involve the rural citizens to improve their socio-economic condition. The objective of this paper is to present an update on rural tourism expansion and development in India. Rural tourism is rising in terms of number of visitors and the government of India should focus on it as an engine of growth


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