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

The economic valuation is crucial to estimate non-marketed goods, which refer to public willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation efforts in the tourism area. Both local communities and visitors play an important role in developing sustainable tourism and well-being. However, the information on econ...

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Main Authors: Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam, Johari, Shazali, Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam, Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah, Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman, Hassan, Suziana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/1/118112.pdf
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author Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Johari, Shazali
Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah
Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman
Hassan, Suziana
author_facet Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Johari, Shazali
Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah
Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman
Hassan, Suziana
author_sort Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The economic valuation is crucial to estimate non-marketed goods, which refer to public willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation efforts in the tourism area. Both local communities and visitors play an important role in developing sustainable tourism and well-being. However, the information on economic valuation based on their preferences and well-being is still limited in the world heritage site Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). Thus, the study attempts to elucidate the WTP on how the local community and visitors value biodiversity conservation in GMNP through park entrance fees and how it relates to conservation awareness and community well-being in the area. The validated questionnaire was distributed to the visitors (n = 87) and the local community (n = 99) through an online and face-to-face approach, respectively. From the study, the estimated mean WTP among the public was MYR40.61 (USD9.60) per entry, which is highly influenced by their level of attitude and experience. The level of attitude among the respondents has influenced the WTP for the existing park entrance fee. Meanwhile, there is no awareness construct that affects the WTP for increased fees among visitors and the local community. The low level of knowledge and experience of the respondents but the high level of attitude has influenced the good WTP for the cheaper park entrance fee. It is noted that certain socio-demographic factors had influenced their WTP for the offered and maximum price. It was found that the environment and social factors have significantly influenced the WTP among the public. However, the economic factor did not predict their WTP. The findings enhance the relationship between crucial social value determinants and the economy, particularly on WTP in a protected area.
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spelling upm-1181122025-07-10T03:11:55Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/ An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam Johari, Shazali Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman Hassan, Suziana The economic valuation is crucial to estimate non-marketed goods, which refer to public willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation efforts in the tourism area. Both local communities and visitors play an important role in developing sustainable tourism and well-being. However, the information on economic valuation based on their preferences and well-being is still limited in the world heritage site Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). Thus, the study attempts to elucidate the WTP on how the local community and visitors value biodiversity conservation in GMNP through park entrance fees and how it relates to conservation awareness and community well-being in the area. The validated questionnaire was distributed to the visitors (n = 87) and the local community (n = 99) through an online and face-to-face approach, respectively. From the study, the estimated mean WTP among the public was MYR40.61 (USD9.60) per entry, which is highly influenced by their level of attitude and experience. The level of attitude among the respondents has influenced the WTP for the existing park entrance fee. Meanwhile, there is no awareness construct that affects the WTP for increased fees among visitors and the local community. The low level of knowledge and experience of the respondents but the high level of attitude has influenced the good WTP for the cheaper park entrance fee. It is noted that certain socio-demographic factors had influenced their WTP for the offered and maximum price. It was found that the environment and social factors have significantly influenced the WTP among the public. However, the economic factor did not predict their WTP. The findings enhance the relationship between crucial social value determinants and the economy, particularly on WTP in a protected area. Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/1/118112.pdf Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam and Johari, Shazali and Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam and Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah and Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman and Hassan, Suziana (2024) An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27 (6). pp. 14497-14521. ISSN 1387-585X; eISSN: 1573-2975 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-024-04533-5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=9b160e82-2ee8-40ea-908c-42d9392d0c80 10.1007/s10668-024-04533-5
spellingShingle Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Johari, Shazali
Assim, Mohamad Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Wan Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah
Mohammad Afandi, Syamsul Herman
Hassan, Suziana
An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_fullStr An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_short An economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_sort economic assessment on public well-being for biodiversity conservation in gunung mulu national park, sarawak, malaysia
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118112/1/118112.pdf