The ecotourism demand of Batanes Protected Area, Philippines

Date

5-2026

Abstract

Ecotourism in the Batanes Protected Area (BPA), , Philippines. provides significant economic and recreational benefits, yet these alues remain largely unquantified for policy and management decisions. This study analyzed the ccotourism demand of the BPA using the Travel Cost Method (TCM) and the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) through a survey that involved 269 visitors. The Zero-Truncated Poisson (ZTP) model developed under the Individual TCM identified travel cost, age, civil status, and monthly individual income as significant determinants of visitation demand. The zonal travel cost analysis indicated an inverse relationship between travel cost and visitation rate. The estimated consumer surplus was Php 6,085.71 per visit, translating to an aggregate economic value of ecotourism of Php 141.01 million annually based on a ten-year average of 23,171 visitors per year. This increases to Php 210.32 million under an improved ecotourism scenario, which also results in higher projected visitation, recreational benefits, and potential conservation revenues. Using the payment card elicitation approach under the CVM, the estimated mean willingness to pay (WTP) was Php 229.26 per visit, while the dichotomous choice approach produced a higher mean WTP estimate of Php 281.38 per visit. If the WTP estimates are captured, they have the potential to generate annual revenues of Php 5.31 million to Php 6.52 million for conservation and management initiatives. The results suggest hat improving visitor experience and implementing appropriate conservation financing mechanisms can enhance the economic value of ecotourism while supporting the sustainable management of BPA.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Forestry

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Margaret M. Calderon

Committee Member

Canesio D. Predo, Frechie Belle O. Lo

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

PROTECTED AREAS; ECOTOURISM; MARKET DEMAND; COST ANALYSIS; CONTINGENT VALUATION; WILLINGNESS TO PAY; CONSUMER SURPLUS; ECONOMIC VALUE; SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT

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