An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

A mean willingness to pay of MYR40.61 (USD9.60) per park entry for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park was identified, revealing that public support is strongly influenced by attitude and experience rather than awareness or economic factors. The study, involving 87 visitors and 99 local community members, used validated questionnaires to assess preferences and well-being, finding that socio-demographic and environmental factors significantly shaped willingness-to-pay (WTP) for conservation efforts. Notably, respondents with lower knowledge but high positive attitudes showed strong support for reduced entrance fees, while economic considerations did not predict WTP. This research highlights the complex interplay between social values, conservation awareness, and economic valuation in protected areas, offering insights to guide sustainable tourism policies.

Ibrahim, M. S. N., Johari, S., Assim, M. I. S. A., Mohammad, S. K. W., Afandi, S. H. M., & Hassan, S. (2024). An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27(6), 14497–14521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-04533-5