Impact assessment of Voras ski center : an application of contingent valuation method

Abstract

Ski activities in mountainous areas are an issue of prime concern, especially in developing countries. The main objective of this study is to assess some socioeconomic and environmental impacts of “Voras” ski center (Region of Central Macedonia, Prefecture of Pella). The study area is characterized, especially during the winter session, by intensive tourism activities. Although the majority of Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) studies have been restricted for environmental goods, the method can be applied to public goods in general. It was hypothesized that the satisfaction of consumers about ski services might influence their maximum Willingness to Pay (WTP). Accordingly, a Contingent Valuation study was planned in four separate rural districts (Panagitsa, Agios Athanasios, Zervi and Arnissa), around the “Voras “ski center. Several impacts were identified and an economic value was estimated for each. Parking abilities, hotel facilities, food services, ski ramps, road networks, entertainment, water supply, recreation, social impacts, environmental sequences and some more outputs were valued using the CVM. These values can assist managers and policy makers in making decisions regarding the opportunity costs of ski center projects, their management options and the project’s alterations or preservations. These values are estimated under the assumption that all other ski projects in the region remain unchanged