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Tourists’ willingness-to-pay for groundwater conservation, Mt Makiling, Philippines

XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 9p.

Author Calderon, M. M., Codilan, A. L., Dida, J. J. V., et al.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Article

Synopsis (short abstract) Mt Makiling is a dormant volcano that supplies hot water to springs and groundwater in Los Baños and Calamba City, Philippines, spurring the development of a resort-based tourism industry that is heavily extracting groundwater. The paper discusses the results of a contingent valuation survey that sought to evaluate the tourists’ knowledge about the resorts’ water source and use practices, reasons for visiting, willingness-to-pay for improved water conservation practices and the conservation of Mt Makiling as water source, and whether they would visit the resorts during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 50% of 492 respondents were aware of the resorts’ water source, with about half saying that the source is hot springs, but only a few were aware of groundwater as the water source. The main reasons for visiting the resorts are for relaxation and the resorts’ accessibility and affordability. The estimated mean WTP ranged from PhP75/visit (payment card) to PhP174/visit (dichotomous choice), and the respondents were willing to pay because they would like to contribute to the conservation of the groundwater resource of Mt Makiling and because groundwater is limited. On the other hand, some respondents were not willing to pay because they could not afford the additional amount and they perceive that they should not be made to pay for the cost of proper recycling of pool water. Most of the respondents said they would still consider visiting resorts during the pandemic to enjoy the pools and the environment and for the health benefits from the hot-water pools. A higher preference for private resorts was observed because these can be used exclusively by a group. The respondents who do not want to visit resorts during the pandemic said they would consider visits again if compliance with health and safety protocols would be assured. Finally, majority of the respondents recognize that the new health and safety standards for resorts will result in higher fees charged by resorts. Keywords: Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Calamba, contingent valuation, water conservation ID: 3618043

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