Measuring the Location Value of a Recreation Site

Abstract

The demand for sport fishing on the Snake River reservoirs was estimated using the travel cost method. A short-run demand model was specified with location value for anglers who have the option to access a follow-on site if fishing conditions are poor. Willingness to pay for a fishing trip to the site was $18.52 for anglers who did not have a follow-on site and $43.48 for anglers who did. A location value of $24.96 accrued only to anglers with a follow-on site. Total annual site value was understated by as much as 40% ($0.78 million) if location value for anglers with a follow-on site was excluded from the benefit estimate.

Keywords

• contingent behavior
• endogenous stratification
• follow-on site
• location value
• multiple destination
• option value
• short-run demand
• travel cost method