Distance Effects in the Demand for Wildland Recreational Services: The Case of National Parks in the United States

Abstract

Distance decay in spatial demand usually is taken as axiomatic. There are, however, a number of situations in which distance decay cannot be taken for granted. In recreational pursuits, for example, spatial interaction is often marked by a confounding distance effect in which nearby and more distant destinations are equally attractive. The research reported in this paper concerns an examination of the distance effect in the spatial demand for a specific type of recreation: the use of national parks in the USA. The paper contains a review of the related spatial demand literature, including the travel cost model used in calculating economic values of national parks and related places. A central-place-type model of park use is described and put into operation in the form of two linear spatial demand models. One focuses on regional demand for park use and the other focuses on a national market. The initial model specifications are expanded in order to examine the drift of their distance parameters over two variables intended to quantify park quality: age and area. Empirical tests of the models indicate distance decay in the demand for park use is pronounced when distance is considered in the context of park quality. p

An ecological economics approach to estimate the value of a fragmented wetland in Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul state)

“…results in increasing expenditures and, as a consequence, in travel cost. Also travelling farther increases the travel cost, although this is not the rule for all study cases (Hanink and White, 1999). In the Floodplain, distance and travel cost are highly correlated variables (Pearson r = 0,7; p = 0,005; n = 87), emphasizing the effect showed on Equation 1.…”

Determinants of Tourism Attractiveness in the National Parks of Brazil

“…Despite the fact that several studies have identified a positive influence of park age over demand (Mills & Westover, 1987;Hanink & White, 1999;Neuvonen et al, 2010), it is not certain how this variable affects demand. While the most outstanding attractions of a country are primary designated protected areas, older parks have had more time to be structured (e.g., facilities, staff, services) and develop their reputation.…”

The Barriers to Millennials Visiting Rouge Urban National Park

“…To travel a certain distance to somewhere is costly and even if the actual physical cost of travel to a location is not great, there are associated costs like uncertainty and time [24]. This can create distance decay effects as closer and better-known places are seen therefore as less costly.…”

“…In that case, the suggestion should be that millennials are willing to travel from further away to visit RUNP, but it is clearly seen that this is not the case. Another study also used distance decay to study national park visitors in America and worked with the theory that parks farther away are seen as less congested and therefore more desirable creating almost an opposite case to distance decay theory [24]. This study also mentioned, however, that closer parks, which could be interpreted as UNP, provide necessary green areas for more frequent, short-term visits with fewer people visiting as distance increased away from these areas [24].…”

“…Another study also used distance decay to study national park visitors in America and worked with the theory that parks farther away are seen as less congested and therefore more desirable creating almost an opposite case to distance decay theory [24]. This study also mentioned, however, that closer parks, which could be interpreted as UNP, provide necessary green areas for more frequent, short-term visits with fewer people visiting as distance increased away from these areas [24]. Finally, a key finding was that the more services and recreational opportunities a park offered, the further people would travel to visit [24].…”