Economic Valuation of the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park Recreation and Tourism Using Contingent Valuation Method.

Abstract

A willingness to pay survey was conducted to ascertain the recreation and tourism value of the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Out of 100 respondents, 96 respondents had expressed their willingness to help the national park by paying the recreational fee for the specific recreational activities such as kayaking, bird watching, fishing and crab hunting. Results showed that the estimated total WTP for all activites amounted to 147 AED (40 USD). The estimated total WTP was projected against the total working population and the estimated number of visitors in the Emirate. The projected recreation and tourism use value was estimated to 925,967,700 AED (252,307,300 USD), which is a significant amount that can support the future management and monitoring programs in the study area. This value will result to an increase of 40% to the contribution of the arts, recreation and other services sector to the Emirate’s Gross Domestic Product. Sustainable recreation and tourism use of the national park should be advocated by the decision-makers through implementing new regulations and establishing efficient management and monitoring programs in order to preserve and conserve the environmental resources.