The contingent valuation and the travel cost methods applied to Mucubají Lake area

Natural Resources and Environmental Services act as characterized public goods because they are sources of direct utility without any associated market with related prices. For instance, the recreational services of the natural parks are guaranteed to the visitors by an entrance payment ticket. The contingent valuation method and the travel cost method are used to define the variables referred to the visitors every season time and willingness to pay (WTP) in the Mucubají Lake area. The WTP average rose from Bs. 5.612,68 to Bs. 8.625,00 when the services were improved to the visitors. It was found that travel costs have a negative impact on the expected demand for trips to the Mucubají Lake area. Travel costs to an alternate site impact positively on that demand. Besides, female people and independent occupation have a big expected demand for every trip to the natural park.