Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Valuing visitor services and access to protected areas: The case of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda
Author(s)
Lal, Pankaj;Wolde, Bernabas;Masozera, Michel;Burli, Pralhad;Alavalapati, Janaki;Ranjan, Aditi;Montambault, Jensen;Banerjee, Onil;Ochuodho, Thomas;Mugabo, Rodrigue
Published
2017
Publisher
Tourism Management
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.01.019
Abstract
Policymakers and recreation site managers use changes in fee structure, either introducing park entrance fees or increasing existing ones, to generate revenues, improve services, and reduce damages associated with over-use. Increase in park usage fee, however, can make the park inaccessible to certain segments of tourists. Understanding park users' response to changes in fees and its implication on park use equity is, thus, important to achieving a park's full potential in a socially and environmentally responsible way. This information is crucial especially for developing countries, where the issue has received relatively less attention and national park systems are chronically underfunded. This paper contributes to the literature on park access fees by: empirically assessing park use equity between and among international and national tourists visiting Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, and; developing an approach for determining predictors and mean willingness to pay values for park entrance. Results of our survey-based approach show a positive willingness to pay values for park entrance and fee increases. Our results also show that it is possible to raise revenue without exacerbating existing park use differences.
Keywords
Nyungwe National Park;Rwanda;Park entrance fees;Willingness to pay;Park use equity
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB22392