Abstract
This study combines visitor benefit estimates, by means of the contingent valuation method (CVM), with an application of a wilderness purism index to outdoor recreation management. Swedish summer visitors to a mountainous wilderness area in central Sweden and eastern Norway are surveyed using a mailed questionnaire. Welfare estimates are calculated, including adjustment for preference uncertainty in the willingness-to-pay answer. The expected value of the average visit to the area is estimated at 1,756 SEK, of which almost one-third is a consumer surplus. Three visitor segments are identified, based on preferences relating to wilderness management, restrictions, human impact and other users. Willingness to pay is found to differ significantly between the segments, both in absolute numbers for the trip taken and as a function of proposed management changes. It is shown that total benefits among the Swedish visitors can be increased in the magnitude of one million SEK, by means of a visitor segmentation and spatial differentiation of the management strategy.
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