Recreational valuation of natural tourism attractions by using Zonal Travel Cost Method (Z.T.C.M) (Case study: Parvaz forest park, Choghakhor wetland, A'atashgah waterfall and Dimeh fountain of Chahrmahal va Bakhtiari province)

Abstract

Nowadays, socio- economic analysis and full review of people requirements is a key factor in providing the required facilities in destinations. The aim of this study is recreational valuation of Parvaz forest park, Choghakhor wetland, A'atashgah waterfall and Dimeh fountain, and also comparison between obtained results and investigation of socio-economic characteristic of visitors by using Zonal Travel Cost Method (Z.T.C.M). This method is based on using map, the view, socio-economical characteristics of visitors of promenades and also increase of the cost and distance from the region. Results showed that variables like age, education and amount of visitor’s income had significant impacts on use of promenades. Investigating amount of visitor’s income showed that strong correlation exists between this variable and the number of visited days of promenades and also their interest to pay entrance fee. It also showed that level of education has a key role in absorbing visitors for promenades as most of the visitors had university education. Results showed that the recreational value of Parvaz forest park, Choghakhor wetland, A'atashgah waterfall and Dimeh fountain is 407150000, 442346000, 137239800 and 723852000 Iranian Rials, respectively. These results show the importance of water resources in tourism attraction. The monetary values obtained depend on the better natural location and beautiful sights around them. High value of recreational areas which was recorded for the studied promenades showed that these promenades need more attention and providing the development of tourism plan.

Keywords

• recreation
• recreational valuation
• zonal travel cost method (z.t.c.m)