Brander, L.

The impact of invasive species on tourism

Since the first sightings of the lionfish in the Caribbean, the local marine ecosystems have experienced severe problems due to predation and competition by this invasive species. Since 2008, the lionfish problem is also present in the coastal ecosystems of the Cayman Islands. In order to manage this ecological threat, The Department of Environment (DOE) of the Cayman Islands requires both comprehensive ecological and economic information. Although ecological research on the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean region is increasing rapidly, socio-economic studies investigating the societal impact of this ecological threat are still rather lacking. This pilot study aims at providing an insight into the potential impacts of lionfish proliferation in the Cayman Islands on the tourism industry by revealing the perception of the lionfish problem by visitors to the Cayman Islands and measure the willingness to pay (WTP) of these tourists for managing this invasive species. These findings provide important information for the final calculation of the overall economic impact of lionfish on the Cayman Islands as well as providing a basis for possible funding schemes for the management of the lionfish problem.

An extensive visitor survey among 326 visitors shows that on average 60% of the respondents are in principle willing to pay (WTP) an environmental fee, managed by a nature organization, which would contribute to management of the lionfish problem. Depending on the valuation method chosen and taking into account the distinct characteristics of stay-over and cruise tourists, the total potential annual contribution of visitors for lionfish management in the Cayman Islands is determined at a minimum of USD8 million and a maximum of USD 26.3 million. From these findings we conclude that the support among visitors to manage the lionfish problem is already substantial but could be further increased by improving communication to visitors about lionfish related issues. 

Date
2014
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-14/32

The local recreational and cultural value of nature on Saba

his thesis is part of the project ‘What is Saba’s nature worth?’ a collaboration between the IVM, VU University Amsterdam and Wolfs Company. The aim of this study is to value the nature of Saba, a small Dutch Caribbean island. This small island faces a number of threats, which can harm the environment. Saba is home to unique ecosystems and its inhabitants have a strong link with their natural environment. The scope of this research is to determine the recreational and cultural value of this natural environment on the island to its residents with the use of economic valuation methods. Saban inhabitants were interviewed, during a household survey, on how much they are willing to pay for nature management on their island. The willingness to pay was determined by a choice experiment conducted as part of the household survey. With the choice experiment, the annual willingness to pay (WTP) per household for additional environmental management can be determined. The analysis shows that more than half of the respondents on Saba are prepared to pay for nature management on the island. The total WTP per year of all Saban residents for additional environmental management is 143,201 USD. This WTP is attributable to the different aspects that are considered in the experiment: the coastal waters, the natural landscape on the island, the Saba Bank and the management of free-roaming goats on the island. All aspects are valued positively by Saban households. The research furthermore creates insight in the perception of Saban residents on the natural environment on their island. 

Date
2014
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-14/09
Geographic location
Saba

The Tourism Value of Nature on Saba

Tourism is an important source of income for most Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Saba. This study aims to value the services provided by nature to the tourism industry on Saba. The natural landscape, the coastal waters, the tranquillity and friendly local people are highly appreciated by tourists that visit the island. Healthy ecosystems are therefore crucial to the island. Human activities like development in the tourism industry are relevant to facilitate development of the island, on the other hand, have an impact on the natural environment. In order to fully understand this paradoxical relationship, the economic value of the cultural and recreational ecosystem services to tourists and the economic contribution of nature to the tourism sector on Saba are determined. Transparency about these values and the beneficiaries of ecosystem services can support the local and national government and other stakeholders in decision-making processes.

These values are retrieved using a Choice Modelling method. During six weeks, a total of 390 visitors on Saba and Statia have been interviewed. 200 of these respondents were interviewed during their stay on Saba. With the use of a choice experiment, the willingness to pay (WTP) of tourists for the maintenance or improvement of nature and other island aspects is determined. The results also show the preferences of tourists concerning the different ecosystems and other island aspects. Characteristics, expenditures and perceptions about Saban nature of visitors are retrieved through the complementary survey.

This study also made clear that next to ecosystem-based activities, tourists highly appreciate other island aspects such as the tranquillity, the friendly local people and visiting archaeological heritage. These aspects are part of the attractiveness of the islands and should be taken into account when growth in the tourism sector is desired. The total revenue by the tourism industry of Saba is estimated to be almost 6 million USD per year. The results from the survey demonstrate that tourists are willing to pay an additional amount of 1.6 million USD for extra nature conservation efforts on the island. 

Date
2014
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-14/08
Geographic location
Saba

The local cultural and recreational value of nature on St Eustatius

St Eustatius, is a small island in the Caribbean and a special municipality of the Netherlands. As many other small islands, St Eustatius’ marine and terrestrial ecosystems are vulnerable to external disturbances, such as natural disasters but also pressures from human behaviour. Multiple stresses can lead to degradation of ecosystems, if these are not able to recover until the next disturbance. As ecosystems provide benefits to people, so called ecosystem services, the value of these services decreases, as the ecosystem degrades. Economic valuation of ecosystem services identifies the costs and benefits of human interaction with nature, e.g. construction, and helps to develop long-term development strategies that take ecosystem services into account. This research is evaluating the local recreational and cultural services that ecosystems on St Eustatius provide to their residents and their value to the inhabitants, as part of a larger study on the total economic value (TEV) of the island’s natural environment. To this end, a household survey with an embedded choice experiment is used. The results of the survey show that: (1) Half of the population has a general willingness to pay (WTP) for nature management; (2) the biggest perceived threats to the environment are oil spills, solid waste and invasive species; and (3) that the people of St Eustatius want see livestock on the island fenced and archaeology managed. The total aggregated annual WTP of all households on St Eustatius for the conservation of terrestrial land is 29,000 USD and for the marine ecosystems 65,000 USD. Residents of St Eustatius are willing to pay 41,000 USD for the management of archaeological heritage. An interesting result is that the people are keen on managing the roaming livestock by contributing additionally 64,000 USD on an annual basis. 

Date
2014
Data type
Research report
Report number
R-14/10
Geographic location
St. Eustatius

The Tourism Value of Nature on St Eustatius

This study aims to value the services provided by nature to tourists on St Eustatius. The natural landscape, the coastal waters, the tranquillity and rich historical heritage are highly appreciated by tourists that visit the island. For most Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as St Eustatius tourism is one of the main sources of income. Healthy ecosystems are therefore crucial to the island. However, human development (including tourism) puts pressure on the same natural environment. In order to fully understand this paradoxical relationship, the economic value of the cultural and recreational ecosystem services to tourists and the economic contribution of nature to the tourism sector on St Eustatius are determined. Transparency about these values and the beneficiaries of ecosystem services can support the local and national government and other stakeholders in decision-making processes.

These values are retrieved using a choice modelling method. During six weeks, a total of 390 foreign visitors on Saba and St Eustatius have been interviewed. 190 of these respondents were interviewed on St Eustatius. With the use of a choice experiment, the willingness to pay (WTP) of tourists for the maintenance or improvement of nature and other island aspects is determined. The results also show the preferences of tourists concerning the different ecosystems and other island aspects. Characteristics, expenditures and perceptions about the natural environment of St Eustatius by visitors are retrieved through the complementary survey.

This study also reveals that next to nature-based activities, tourists highly appreciate island aspects such as the tranquillity, the friendly local people and admiring archaeological heritage. These aspects are part of the attractiveness of the island and should be taken into account when growth in the tourism sector is desired. The value of the natural environment for the tourism industry of St Eustatius is estimated to be almost 3 million USD per annum and tourists are willing to pay an annual 120,000 USD to increase the management of the archaeological heritage on the island. 

Date
2014
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-14/07
Geographic location
St. Eustatius

Recreational and cultural value of Bonaire’s nature to its inhabitants

The global environment is in a relatively bad state and there is growing awareness of its importance to human wellbeing. This study aims to shed light on a corner of this importance. Although a corner its affects to human wellbeing is great. What if the entities one culturally identifies with should begin to deteriorate or very plausibly disappear? In the spirit of learning and providing innovation to current environmental policy practices, it is the objective of this study to determine the recreational and cultural value that the marine and terrestrial environment of Bonaire provides to its residents. The later in order to improve decision making on conservation efforts on the island by internalizing externalities in policies that affect the environment and its ecosystems. This was done through use of the environmental economics technique of choice modelling, which consists of a choice experiment as well as a supporting structured survey. Choice modelling determines the WTP (willingness to pay) to conserve nature. The results of this study suggest a yearly WTP by all households on Bonaire to improve the overall natural environments state from poor to moderate to be approximately $2,9 million USD and from poor to high as much as $3,9 million USD. However from the supporting background questions it was also concluded that a widely employed PES system (Payment for Ecosystem Services) would not succeed with- out learning taking place. There should be dialogue on the one hand and on account- ability (locals or tourists?) and on the other hand on the need for environmental management itself. In addition to this the most important perceived threats were found to be waste (solid and liquid) and coastal development. To sum up the study shed light on the tension that exists between tourism which residents economically depend on and the effect expanding tourism has on the nature of Bonaire. An impor- tant conclusion is that restriction of coastal and inland development is supported by locals as well as better waste management and goat management. Policy makers should take this document into account since it expresses the concerns and desires of the local population as regards to policies affecting the environment. 

Date
2012
Data type
Research report
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-12/10
Geographic location
Bonaire

The tourism value of nature on Bonaire

Bonairean ecosystems support touristic activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, boating, enjoying beaches, and participating in land activities. The tourism sector is an industry with substantial size and financial contribution to the economy of Bonaire. However, the economic value of the contribution of nature to Bonaire’s tourism has never been quantified, nor have the most important aspects of Bonairean nature for tourism been identified. It is essential that the economic value of the ecosystem service to tourism and the dependence of tourism on Bonairean ecosystems while impacting these same ecosystems be determined in order to further assist policy-makers in understanding this crucial relationship and support them in wise long-term decision-making.

To determine the value of Bonairean ecosystems for the tourism industry a survey among tourists visiting Bonaire is conducted. This study estimates the average expenditures of these visitors, as well as their Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) for protection of Bonairean nature. The result of this survey also elucidates tourists’ perceived value of different aspects of Bonairean nature. The socio-economic value of the ecosystem services for tourism is combined with spatial data to determine which ecosystems are the most economically valuable with regards to tourism.

The expenditure by tourists on Bonaire is found to be around $125 million annually. An estimated welfare of around $50 million dollars is contributed by Bonaire’s nature to tourism. Stay-over tourists are found to contribute more to the tourism industry than cruise tourists, and marine ecosystems are found to be more economically significant than terrestrial ecosystems on the island. The high WTP of tourists for additional nature protection in Bonaire provides opportunities for the local government to increase the current user fees of visitors to Bonaire. 

 

IVM Institute for Environmental Studies 

Date
2013
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Report number
R-13/02
Geographic location
Bonaire