NILAI EKONOMI KEGUNAAN WISATA ALAM SITUGUNUNG TAMAN NASIONAL GUNUNG GEDE PANGRANGO

The Situgunung area has direct usability value as recreation place and natural tourism. This study aims to determine the perception of visitors and the economic value usability on the natural tourism of Situgunung. This research method uses descriptive methods as well as traveling expenses or the Travel Cost Method (TCM). Testing the perception of visitors using validity and reliability tests were analyzed descriptively using a Likert scale and the economic value use was analyzed using the concept of travel cost (TCM). This result of the study indicates the index of visitors’ perceptions of Situgunung Nature Tourism from the beauty is 89,25% very beautiful, the security aspect is 83,5 % very safe, the hygiene aspect is 77,5% very clean, the accessibility aspect is 77,75% very easy, the facility aspect is 74,25% complete. And the economic value of the use of Situgunung Nature Tourism is Rp.49.197.122.816/year, with the average traveling expenses calculated based on the zone or distance from the area from which the visitor came to the tourist location. With the high perception of visitors and the value of economic use of Situgunung Nature Tourism objects, a more professional management is needed without reducing the concept of natural sustainability.

Estimation of Travel Demand for Bangkok–Chiang Mai Hyperloop Using Traveler Surveys

Hyperloop, projected as fast and efficient, and envisaged as the future of high-speed transportation, does not have much published information about its demand estimation. This paper aims to estimate the willingness of air and car passengers to shift to hyperloop. A nested logit model was used to analyze stated preference data gathered from the air and car travelers along the Bangkok–Chiang Mai sector in Thailand. The variables contributing the most to the modal shift towards hyperloop are total travel cost, total travel time, monthly income, gender, education level, bearer of trip expenses, and number of trips in the last 6 months and duration of stay at the destination. The highest value of elasticity for hyperloop is obtained for the total travel cost followed by total travel time and monthly income. It is concluded that hyperloop will be the predominant mode of transportation between the Bangkok–Chiang Mai sectors with a modal share of almost 50% by the year 2025. Survey results also revealed that the preferences of the passengers in order of priorities for long distance travel are comfort, low travel cost, less travel time, safety, high frequency of travel mode and low CO2 emission. The main contribution of this paper is to provide an insight on factors that may contribute towards a possible shift in mode from car and air to hyperloop. The study will be beneficial to policy makers in developing a strategy for a more efficient mass transportation system using new and emerging technologies.

Is Ecological Birdwatching Tourism a More Effective Way to Transform the Value of Ecosystem Services?—A Case Study of Birdwatching Destinations in Mingxi County, China

Ecological birdwatching tourism is an ecological product and an essential part of ecotourism, and the realization of its recreation value is crucial for improving human well-being, and realization of the local benefits of ecosystem services for areas focused on biodiversity conservation, especially in bird species. In this study, we use travel cost interval analysis, one of the travel cost derived models featuring more easily satisfied assumptions and less limited data, to evaluate the recreation value of the ecological bird-watching tourism destination, and compare it with the general ecotourism, of Mingxi County destination in China. The results show that, firstly, the per capita recreation value of eco-birdwatching is 3.9 times that of general eco-tourism, its per capita social benefit is three times that of general eco-tourism, and its per capita economic benefit is 4.5 times that of general eco-tourism. Secondly, compared with general ecotourists, the per capita travel costs of eco-birdwatchers are higher, and there were significant statistical differences in the expenses for catering, tickets, shopping, opportunity cost, and total travel expenses between these two groups. Thirdly, in comparison with general ecotourists, the marginal cost of an individual eco-birdwatcher is higher, and the travel intention of an eco-birdwatcher is more robust at the same cost level. The price of a single eco-birdwatcher is higher under the same travel intention demand level. In short, the ecological bird-watching industry has a higher marginal value than general eco-tourism and has higher social, economic, and ecological benefits, bringing a higher level of development for the local tourism industry.