Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

In order for Cambodia to contribute in the tiger conservation, re-introduction is considered the only option. Tigers can be seen as part of a ecosystem service, in the sense of recreation and tourism. To re-introduce tigers could both carry a costs, but also potentially be a part of the tourism. To investigate the potential of tiger tourism and the Willingness to Pay (WTP) for tiger tourism activities in Eastern Plains Landscape, Cambodia, a survey study was carried out in Sen Monorom. One survey measured the willingness to pay though an open ended contingent valuation method, and another by a choice experiment method. Added to this, the tourist’s opinions and preferences was collected through mixed methods in the surveys. The WTP for a tiger safari was $46.88 (N =115), and amongst 10 different tour activities, tiger safari was on average ranked as number 2, second to elephant tour in popularity. The results from the Choice experiment shows that the marginal WTP was $49.61 and $68.67 in order to increase the numbers to 60 and 120 tigers in EPL respectively. Assumed that 60 % of the prognosis number of tourists would participate and pay $47 for a tiger safari, that would sum up to $8 280 000 annually.