Improving methodologies for evaluating outdoor recreational resources : a case study of salt water sports fishing
Date
1970
Authors
Rostron, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Using a case study of salt water sports fishing in British Columbia, an attempt is made to show that an understanding of perceptions and attitudes in relation to outdoor recreation might usefully contribute towards improving evaluations of recreational opportunities. The analysis is primarily concerned with the uncertainty of how far market prices adequately reflect the demand for and values placed on outdoor recreation facilities. The results indicate that present techniques of measurement probably do not provide accurate evaluations because of their failure to incorporate factors other than recreationists' expenditures as indicators of demand. Furthermore, previous methods have concentrated on socio-economic characteristics as the primary determinants of variations in demand, when in fact other factors such as competing leisure time pursuits and components of the recreation experience are particularly significant in governing the amount of time and money spent on recreation. The results of the study also indicate that the methods used to estimate the value of a recreation opportunity do not reflect adequately the social loss that would result if a particular facility or resource were either removed or lost for recreation purposes. The conclusions reached should help to broaden the theoretical framework for recreation analysis and in so doing assist in the formulation of public policy.