Estimating visitors' willingness to pay for a conservation fund: sustainable financing approach in protected areas in Ethiopia

A significant majority (75%) of visitors to Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) expressed willingness to pay for a conservation fund, with foreign and domestic visitors willing to contribute US$7.40 and US$1.00 respectively. This finding suggests that introducing a conservation fee in addition to the existing entry fee could enhance the long-term sustainable financing of protected areas (PAs). The study employed the contingent valuation method to estimate visitors' willingness to pay, providing valuable insights for crafting strategies that balance conservation needs with development goals in emerging economies like Ethiopia.

Aseres, S. A., & Sira, R. K. (2020). Estimating visitors’ willingness to pay for a conservation fund: sustainable financing approach in protected areas in Ethiopia. Heliyon, 6(8), e04500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04500