Visitors’ willingness to pay marine conservation fees in Barbados

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) Vol. 71; pp. 315 - 326
• Main Authors: Schuhmann, Peter W., Skeete, Ryan, Waite, Richard, Lorde, Troy, Bangwayo-Skeete, Prosper, Oxenford, Hazel A., Gill, David, Moore, Winston, Spencer, Fredrika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Barbados; Contingent valuation; Marine conservation; Tourism fees; Willingness to pay; Tourism fees; Barbados; Marine conservation; Willingness to pay; Contingent valuation
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2018.10.011

Human development and dense populations along coastal zones impact the health of coastal and marine ecosystems, which is detrimental to the economic sustainability of tourism. Visitors to Barbados are primarily attracted to the country's coastal and marine resources, making the protection of the marine environment paramount. In developing countries with limited resources for environmental management, who pays the cost of conservation, and the amount, has been the subject of much debate. We apply parametric and non-parametric estimations to investigate the factors driving the willingness of tourists to pay a fee for coastal and marine conservation. The mean willingness to pay ranged from US$36 to US$52 per visit to Barbados. Based on general consensus, we suggest that such a fee if implemented should be paid into a dedicated conservation fund. Furthermore, consideration should be given to charging only non-Caribbean tourists given that regional visitors displayed discontent in paying such fees. •Degradation of coastal and marine resources in Barbados pose a direct threat to the viability of the tourism product.•Visitors to Barbados are heavily involved in activities in the coastal zone.•Most visitors are willing to pay a nominal fee to help fund conservation of coastal and marine resources in Barbados.•Willingness to pay is associated with the fee amount, country of origin, prior Caribbean travel and snorkeling experience.•A tourist fee of US$10.00 per visit could generate over US$5 million to be used for coastal and marine conservation.