Southern Research Station

Title: Sensitivity of whitewater rafting consumers surplus to pecuniary travel cost specifications

Author: English, Donald B.K.; Bowker, J. Michael

Date: 1996

Source: Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 47: 79-91

Description: Considerable research has examined how different ways of accounting for onsite and travel time affect surplus estimates from travel cost models. However, little has been done regarding different definitions of out-of-pocket costs. Estimates of per trip consumer surplus are developed for a zonal travel cost model for outfitted rafting on the Chattooga River. Nine price definitions are used for each of three functional forms. Three price definitions are based on mileage rates times round-trip distance, plus outfitter fees. The remaining six definitions are based on reported spending, using three different sets of expenditures and two methods of imputing prices for zero-visit zones.

Keywords: travel cost, river recreation, consumer surplus, zonal model, price definition

View and Print this Publication (87.3 KB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

English, Donald B.K.; Bowker, J. Michael  1996.  Sensitivity of whitewater rafting consumers surplus to pecuniary travel cost specifications.   Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 47: 79-91