Gelam Forest significantly has a unique biodiversity composition that is not found in other areas. This unique biodiversity has high potential for ecotourism that has yet to be explored and promoted in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic value of Gelam (Mellaleuca spp.) forest for being developed as one of the potential ecotourism attractions in Kelantan. The primary data were collected through face to face surveys with the local community in districts of Bachok. A total of 200 respondents were participated in this study which consists of nearby locals that have different demographics. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was applied in this study to determine the local community’s willingness to pay for ecotourism resources conservation at Gelam Forest. The result from logit regression indicates that the bid amount (price), income and education of respondents were significant predictors that influenced the level of willingness to pay for ecotourism resources conservation of Gelam Forest nearby to Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Bachok Campus. The estimated mean for public’s willingness to pay is found to be RM 4.20 per head per year. It was concluded that Gelam Forest conservation initiatives were feasible for ecotourism development in future. The financial resources obtained from the amount of WTP might be used for conservation and as a fund for maintenances purposed.
The forest ecosystem offers plenty of benefits and provisions for the environment and human wellbeing. One of the forest ecosystem’s potential advantages is that it serves as a recreational forest area for tourists. However, most tourist destination faces minimal or raising public support for natural attraction maintenance and management. Hence, managing the recreational forest lacks financial resources to provide and restore adequate recreation facilities. This study aims to determine local visitors’ willingness to pay an entrance fee in Taman Negeri Gunung Strong, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 150 respondents who had visited Taman Negeri Gunung Stong has participated in this study. The sampling techniques employed in this study is a probability stratified sampling approach. A contingent valuation method dichotomous choice was performed in this study to elicit the mean value of willingness to pay. The study found that the mean willingness to pay for an additional entrance fee to enter Taman Negeri Gunong Stong is estimated at RM 5.03 per visit. The variable of socioeconomic which is the only income influences the mean value on acceptance of suggested price. The study is proposed that the entrance fee collections can provide support as supplementary funds for the allocations made of management and maintenance costs in Taman Negeri Gunung Stong.
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