Valuing recreation in the Coorong, Australia, with travel cost and contingent behaviour models

The study reported in this article is focused on estimating recreational values associated with the Coorong in South Australia. Count data models extended with contingent behaviour (CB) questions have been used to assess recreation values as well as sensitivity to changed access conditions. A recreation value of $111 per adult visitor per day has been estimated, which can be extrapolated to a consumer surplus of approximately $30.5 million per annum at the site. Random coefficient negative binomial models have been applied to the CB data, with results indicating that a marginal value of at least $17.20 per person per trip is attached to each 1 per cent change in access.