Abstract
Penang National Park (PNP), as Malaysia’s smallest national park, is one of the few naturally forested areas left on Penang Island, in Peninsular Malaysia. The main objective was to analyse users’ preferences and willingness to pay to enhance improved management of PNP for the dual aim of conservation and recreation. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the formation of attitudes towards different aspects of PNP. Results showed that implementing enforcements with rules and regulations and imposing permits and charges on certain activities were the most influential variables of PNPs’ perceptions. The results of a random parameter logit model (RPL) demonstrated that visitors placed the highest value on having adequate information about PNP, and the second-highest value on improvements in the park’s ecological management. The welfare measure for improvement in management of PNP against status quo is estimated at about MYR 9. Results also showed that demand for better conservation and management of PNP is relatively price-inelastic. Simulations of the results showed, under a MYR10 admission fee, that improvement in management would have 96% of market share compared with status quo. This study concluded that visitor entrance fees can and ought to be introduced as a means of financing conservation initiatives and possibly preventing congestion.
Highlights
National parks were established primarily to conserve and enhance natural scenery, wildlife, and cultural heritage
A key consideration for managers is to be aware that achieving the dual goals of conservation and tourism requires regular assessment of tourism satisfaction and preferences to find out whether ecotourism needs are in accordance with conservation goals [3]
The first latent variable was formed from 6 attitudinal variables related to respondents’ concern on Penang National Park (PNP)’s importance as a national park (NP)
Summary
National parks were established primarily to conserve and enhance natural scenery, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Over the years this aim has slightly broadened to include education, recreation, and local poverty reduction. National parks all over the world are important tourist destinations. Ecotourism is a perfect example of direct monetary values provided by nature [1,2]. Increasing interests in nature-based tourism made it one of the largest and fastest growing segments of tourism industry in the last decade. A key consideration for managers is to be aware that achieving the dual goals of conservation and tourism requires regular assessment of tourism satisfaction and preferences to find out whether ecotourism needs are in accordance with conservation goals [3]
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