RECREATIONAL VALUE ASSESSMENT OF PHUHIN RONGKLA NATIONAL PARK BY ZONAL TRAVEL COST METHOD

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess recreational value of Phuhin Rongkla National Park by zonal travel cost method. Data were collected by employing designed questionnaires to interview 626 tourists. Results indicated that most tourists were male (60.38%), with their first trip to the national park (57.19%), personal cars were mostly used for transportation (85.78%), staying length was mostly 2 days (69.817), and most travel costs per trip were approximately 250-500 baht (33.23%). The demand for recreation in this national park inversely related to traveling costs with determination coefficient (R²) of 0.546. at significance level of .05. The recreational value of this national park was 55,450,717.50 baht per annum, while the recreational value under sustainable management was 1,008,194,863.63 baht. Results of the study could be used for allocating optimal budgets for maintaining and developing the recreational areas, natural resources conservation, natural recreation and historical recreation sites sustainably. Also, to develop various mass medias related to the national park for dissemination of knowledge for tourists and to create awareness of natural resources conservation.