Functional Forms, Sampling Considerations, and Estimation of Demand for Protected Natural Areas: The Cíes Islands Case Study in Galicia (Spain)

In this paper, we present estimates of several models of demand for a natural area using data from surveys on visitors and non-visitors. The estimates take into account the problems of: demand specification, measurement of the cost and of the demand, choosing sampling scheme, and handling the sample. Considering these alternatives allows us to select a model of demand under improved conditions and frees us from initial restrictive hypothesis. The results in terms of prediction of demand and consumer surplus estimates are quite dissimilar, stressing the importance of comparing various models that encompass the range of possible options.