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The Economics of Outdoor Recreation Congestion: A Case study of Camping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

P. Geoffrey Allen
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts
Thomas H. Stevens
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts
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Abstract

Bias in estimating recreational values may result if congestion is ignored in the demand model specification. Theoretical and empirical considerations pertaining to recreation congestion are summarized. Empirical results for camping in Western Massachusetts are presented which demonstrate the potential degree of bias from demand model misspecification. The results indicate that recreational values may be strongly influenced by congestion effects and that camping areas with relatively low densities may have a higher economic value than high density areas with similar facilities.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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