SSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ECO-SERVICES IN THE NATURAL BIRD PARK – CASE STUDY IN THOI BINH DISTRICT, CA MAU PROVINCE, VIET NAM
As ecotourism continues to grow in Vietnam, the potential and willingness to pay (WTP) for eco-services need to be assessed. The focus of this was in the Natural Bird Park in Bien Bach Dong commune of Thoi Binh District, Ca Mau Province. WTP estimation during the period of 2020 to 2025 shows that the choice of payment level will range from 10,000 to 25,000 VND. The pre- diction for 2026 to 2030 the prices of 20,000and 25,000 VND was chosen as the highest rates. The regression equation of stage 1 showed adjusted R2 = 0.514; which means that 51.4% of the variability of the dependent variable can be explained by the studied model. The regression results also showed that the positive impact of education level (X3), occupation (F), income (X4) on the WTP are statistically significant (p<0.05). In contrast, the related variables such as gender (D) and number of trips (X5) had an negative effect on WTP. In the stage 2, a positive interaction of independent factors such as occupation (F) and income (X4) on the WTP in the period of 2026 to 2030 was also found. Although, the independent variables of age (X1), education (X3) and number of trips (X5) had an negative effect on WTP levels (p<0.05). The adjusted R2 value was equal to 0.438 and this model explained 43.8% of the variation in WTP. The results provide a scientific basis for proposing the appropriate ecotourism solutions in Thoi Binh District, Ca Mau Province.