In many environmental valuation applications standard sample sizes for choice modelling surveys are impractical to achieve. One can improve data quality using more in‐depth surveys administered to fewer respondents. We report on a study using high quality rank‐ordered data elicited with the best‐worst approach. The resulting “exploded logit” choice model, estimated on 64 responses per person, was used to study the willingness to pay for external benefits by visitors for policies which maintain the cultural heritage of alpine grazing commons. We find evidence supporting this approach and reasonable estimates of mean WTP, which appear theoretically valid and policy informative.

The European COST Action E45 on European Forest Externalities (EUROFOREX) participants developed a set of good practice guidelines for the non-market valuation of forests, elaborating on stated and revealed preference methodologies, as well as benefit transfer and meta-analytical procedures. This article presents a summary of the guidelines

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The paper deals with the measurement of the benefits provided by natural resources, with particular reference to the tourist development of mountain areas. In fact, the possibility of measuring some of the benefits produced by the natural resources allows appropriate development strategies to be formulated. The second part of the paper presents possible solutions suggested for sustainable tourism in an area of the Pre-Alps between Veneto and Trentino. These solutions are a result of research carried out using the contingent valuation method. Critical information was gathered that enabled the adjustment of interventions in relation to both the actual opportunity and the benefits deriving from the natural resources studied.

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