Evaluation of Urban Tourism Attractions Through Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Shorabil Attractions Case Study in Ardabil

The contingent valuation method (CVM) is used to estimate economic values for all kinds of ecosystem and environmental services. It can be used to estimate both use and non use values, and it is the most widely used method for estimating non-use values. It is the most controversial of the non-market valuation methods. The contingent valuation method involves directly asking people, in a survey, how much they would be willing to pay for specific environmental services. Human beings tendency to the nature of the cities ‘edge rooted in the biological, psychological and social needs. Shorabil lake in the city of Ardabil is an ecotourism potential of the tourist attractions in the province and the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the value of the tourist attractions of Shorabil, Ardabil by using contingent valuation method to determine the average willingness to pay and the factors affecting their willingness to pay that was conducted by using dichotomous choice questionnaire. To measure the willingness to pay, the Logit regression model was used and is based on maximization, model parameters are estimated. For this purpose, the data required were collected through field studies and the completion of 232 questionnaires randomly at the aforementioned attraction in June and July of 2014. For data analysis SPSS and Shazam statistical software and Maple mathematical software were used. The results show that 68 percent of visitors are willing to pay to visit Shorabil promenade. Educational level, gender, visitor satisfaction, bid, family size and income variables are factors affecting the willingness to pay, while the age variable was not significant. The average willingness to pay among visitors and recreational value of the attraction were estimated 12,000 Rials and 72/18 billion Rials, respectively. The results show that natural promenade for people in urban areas have important and significant value in which this value provides a justification for policy makers and decision makers that for the sake of development of sustainable tourism, enhancement the well-being of tourists and also protection natural ecosystems of such attractions have a more efficient management in order to create a sustainable tourism development.