tourism value

Policy Brief

The Challenge
The tourism industry is the most important source of income for Saba, which is marketed as “the Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean, referring to the pristine natural beauty and tranquillity on the island. The island offers a range of touristic activities that depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving and snorkelling and participating in land activities, especially hiking. The Saban Government published the Tourism Strategic Plan in 2011, in which the desire to double the tourism sector before 2020 is expressed. However, the economic value of the contribution of nature to tourism on Saba has not been quantified sufficiently. It is essential that the economic value of the ecosystem services to tourism as well as the impact of tourism on ecosystems is determined. This information creates understanding creates an understanding of the crucial interconnectivity of the economy and the environment and supports sustainable economic development on Saba.

The Approach
To determine the value of the ecosystems for the tourism industry, a survey among visitors was conducted on Saba. This study reveals the average expenditures of these visitors, as well as their Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) for protection of ecosystems and historical heritage. The result of this survey also elucidates tourists’ perceived value of different aspects of nature on Saba. The socio-economic value of the ecosystem services is combined with spatial data to determine the parts of the ecosystems that are most valuable with regards to tourism.

Results
The annual expenditures by tourists on Saba are found to be approximately $30 million. Around 70% of these spendings can be attributed to the natural environment. Marine ecosystems are found to be slightly more economically significant than terrestrial ecosystems on the island. A high WTP for nature management indicates that there is an opportunity to increase the nature fees on Saba. Tourists are also willing to pay for additional management of the island’s historical heritage. 

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. 

Policy Brief

The Challenge
The tourism industry is an important pillar of the economy of St Eustatius. This is recognized by the Strategic Development Plan commissioned by the Executive Council of St Eustatius in 2010, which advocates diversi cation of the economy of the island. Developing the tourism sector is an important part of the plan. The historical heritage and ecosystems of St Eustatius provide touristic activities that largely depend on the quality of the natural environment, such as diving, snorkelling, enjoying beaches,
and participating in land activities, especially hiking. The economic value of the contribution of nature to St Eustatius’ tourism has not suf ciently been quanti ed, nor have the most important aspects of nature for tourism been identi ed for the island. To assist policy-makers in understanding the relationship between nature and the economy, it is essential to determine the value of the ecosystem services to tourism as well as the impact of tourism on ecosystems of St Eustatius.

The Approach
To determine the value of the ecosystems of St Eustatius for the tourism industry,
a survey among visitors is conducted on St Eustatius. This study reveals the average expenditures of these visitors, as well as their Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) for protection of ecosystems and historical heritage. The result of this survey also elucidates tourists’ perceived value of different aspects of nature on St Eustatius. The tourism value of the ecosystem services is combined with spatial data to determine which ecosystem locations are the most economically valuable with regards to tourism.

Results
The annual expenditures by tourists on St Eustatius are approximately $14 million. Around 70% of these spendings can be attributed to the natural environment. Marine ecosystems are found to be more economically signi cant than terrestrial ecosystems on the island. A high WTP for nature management indicates that there is an opportunity to increase the nature fees on St Eustatius. In addition, a positive WTP is found for extra management of the island’s historical heritage 

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. 

Policy Brief

The Challenge
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 nancial contribution to the economy of Bonaire. However, the economic value of the contribution of nature to Bonaire’s tourism has never been quanti ed, nor have the most important aspects of Bonairean nature for tourism been identi ed. 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.

The Approach
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.

Results & Recommendations
The expenditure by tourists on Bonaire is found to be around $125 million annually. An estimated welfare of around $50 million 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 signi cant 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.