Showing papers by "Jeffrey Bennett published in 1997"

A Comparison of Stated Preference Techniques for Estimating Environmental Values

Abstract: The use of stated preference (SP) techniques for estimating environmental values has increased substantially in recent years. However, criticism about the most widespread SP technique used for valuing environmental resources, the contingent valuation method (CVM), suggests that there is a need to not only refine the CVM, but to develop alternative SP techniques. In this paper the CVM is compared with four other SP techniques: contingent rating, contingent ranking, paired comparison and choice modelling. The techniques are compared in terms of their methodologies and the validity and reliability of the results they produce. The appropriateness of using each of the SP techniques in different environmental valuation applications is also discussed. It was concluded that while the CVM is prone to bias and has some practical limitations, when applied appropriately it can be used to produce theoretically valid results. Three of the other techniques- contingent rating, contingent raking, and paired comparison- are found to have weak theoretical bases and do not produce economically valid valuation estimates. The final SP technique examined, choice modelling, appears to have considerable potential for providing useful and valid estimates of environmental values.

The Significance of the Environment and its Regulation to Australia's Tourism Industry

Abstract: In this article, the significance of the natural environment to Australia's tourism industry from the perspective of tourism operators is established. Features of Australia's natural environment are perceived to be the main generators of demand for tourism in Australia. Given this link between the environment and the prosperity of the tourism industry, the protection of the environment can, in principle, be ensured by self-regulation at the firm or industry level. However, there may be cases in which self-regulation alone is insufficient. In these cases, the government can impose regulations to deal with environmental degradation. The cases in which government regulation of the environment may be justified are identified in the article. In addition, the costs and benefits to tourism operators of current Australian environmental regulations are investigated. These costs and benefits are crucial determinants for the industry's willingness to comply with government regulations and hence the effectiveness of ...

Protected Area Assessment and Establishment in Vanuatu : A socioeconomic approach

Abstract: This monograph describes the outcomes of an ACIAR project which undertook a socioeconomic assessment of native forest use in Vanuatu. The project developed a practical economic framework to achieve management goals of resource sustainability, and efficiency and equity in resource use. The project helped local communities, working with provincial and national governments, to establish forest and coastal conservation areas on Erromango and Malekula Islands in Vanuatu.

Environmental Regulations and the International Competitiveness of Australia's Tourism Industry- A Case Study of Far North Queensland

Abstract: The international competativeness of an industry is determined by its ability to sell goods and services of higher quality and/or at lower cost than its cometitors. Therefore, issues relating to international competitiveness can be conceptualised through their impact on sustained industry profitability. Using this framework, an index is then applied to the tourism industry using a case study where the industry's international competativeness is laregly dependent on natural environment related attributes and associated regulations. Complying with regulations can reduce competitiveness because of increases in the costs faced by the industry relative to competitors unaffected by regulations. However, it is also shown that compliance with regulations can also enhance the quality of natural environment related attributes-thus increasing industry revenue. Hence the impact of environmental regulations on international competitiveness depends on the outcome of these two opposing forces on industry profitability.