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Estimating the Economic Value and Impacts of Recreational Trails: A Case Study of the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail

Author

Listed:
  • J.M. Bowker

    (Southern Forest Research Station, Forest Science Lab, Athens, GA, USA)

  • John C. Bergstrom

    (Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 208 Conner Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Joshua Gill

    (Formerly with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA)

Abstract

Many communities are interested in developing and maintaining recreational trails to benefit trail users and as tourist attractions to stimulate economic growth. In this paper, a study is described which estimates the net economic value to trail users and the local economic impacts of the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail in south-western Virginia, USA. The monetary valuation results suggest that the trail is a highly valuable asset to the people who enjoy using it and to local businesses who benefit from trail-related tourist expenditures. The integrated valuation methodology and results can facilitate quantification of recreational trail economic benefits in other locations.

Suggested Citation

  • J.M. Bowker & John C. Bergstrom & Joshua Gill, 2007. "Estimating the Economic Value and Impacts of Recreational Trails: A Case Study of the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail," Tourism Economics, , vol. 13(2), pages 241-260, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:13:y:2007:i:2:p:241-260
    DOI: 10.5367/000000007780823203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. John C. Whitehead & John Lehman & Melissa Weddell, 2016. "A Benefit-Cost Analysis of the Middle Fork Greenway Trail," Working Papers 16-01, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University, revised 2016.
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    6. Spencer, Daniel M. & Nsiah, Christian, 2013. "The economic consequences of community support for tourism: A case study of a heritage fish hatchery," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 221-230.
    7. Eric Beckman & Mark Traynor, 2019. "Utilizing trade market analysis to identify the economic impact of a multiday special event in Miami Beach, Florida," Tourism Economics, , vol. 25(2), pages 253-273, March.
    8. Pavluković Vanja & Kovačić Sanja & Stankov Uglješa, 2020. "Cycling Tourism on the Danube Cycle Route in Serbia: Residents’ Perspective," Eastern European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 26(1), pages 259-285, December.
    9. Zachary Darby & Neelam Chandra Poudyal & Adam Frakes & Omkar Joshi, 2021. "Economic Analysis of Recreation Access at a Lake Facing Water Crisis due to Municipal Water Demand," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(9), pages 2909-2920, July.
    10. Xu, Shuangyu & Barbieri, Carla & Anderson, Dorothy & Leung, Yu-Fai & Rozier-Rich, Samantha, 2016. "Residents' perceptions of wine tourism development," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 276-286.
    11. Kelley, Hugh & van Rensburg, Thomas M. & Jeserich, Nadine, 2016. "Determinants of demand for recreational walking trails in Ireland," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 173-186.
    12. Shattuck, Clara & Poudyal, Neelam C. & Bowker, J.M. & Joshi, Omkar, 2022. "Differential values associated with outdoor recreational access among the wildlife management area permit holders," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    13. Rovelli, Roberto & Senes, Giulio & Fumagalli, Natalia & Sacco, Jessica & De Montis, Andrea, 2020. "From railways to greenways: a complex index for supporting policymaking and planning. A case study in Piedmont (Italy)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    14. Rosny Jean & Kozma Naka & Colmore S. Christian & Buddhi Raj Gyawali & Troy Bowman & Sampson Hopkinson, 2023. "Outdoor Recreation in Southeastern United States National Forests: An Investigation of the Influence of Ethnicity and Gasoline Price on Individual Participation," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-25, April.
    15. Prayaga, Prabha, 2017. "Estimating the value of beach recreation for locals in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 9-18.
    16. Gore, Madison & Joshi, Omkar & Chapagain, Binod & Poudyal, Neelam C. & York, Betsey, 2023. "An analysis of economic benefits from wildlife management areas in Oklahoma," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    17. Giovanni Peira & Agata Lo Giudice & Stefania Miraglia, 2022. "Railway and Tourism: A Systematic Literature Review," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-11, January.

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