How much are the protected areas worth to the tourism sector? Maramures Mountains case study

AuthorPopa, B.
PositionFaculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering. Transilvania University of Brasov
Pages109-116
Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 6 (55) No. 1 - 2013
Series V: Economic Sciences
HOW MUCH ARE
THE PROTECTED AREAS WORTH TO
THE TOURISM SECTOR?
MARAMUREŞ MOUNTAINS CASE STUDY
Bogdan POPA
1
Abstract: This paper is a sta rting point for communicating information tha t
proves that biodiversity and ecosystem ser vices can be pr iced a nd ha ve a
market in the tourism sector. The data were collected a nd interpreted startin g
from a baseline situa tion and value; business a s usual (BAU) and sustaina ble
ecosystem management (SEM) scenarios applied on Maramureş Mountains
Natural Pa rk brin g the idea of add itional value added by SEM. Thus, the
paper is supporting the funding decision of protected ar eas management.
Key words: tourism, protected a reas, ecosystem services valuation .
1Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering. Transilvania University of Braşov.
1. Introduction
This paper recognises the distinction
between ecological and biodiversity capital
and the flow of economic benefits that is
produced by this capital. While the
primary goal of PAs (Protected Areas) is
biodiversity conservation, they commonly
have a significant economic influence at
the local, national and, in some cases, at
global level: stock of natural capital
(recreation, fisheries, non-timber products,
pasture, landscape etc.), flows of goods
and services (producing outputs,
supporting consumption, generating
income, reducing costs, avoiding losses,
minimising risks, protecting infrastructure
etc.), positive economic outcomes (sectoral
income, GDP, employment, forex
earnings, fiscal revenues, business profits,
etc.) [16].
Different stakeholders appreciate the
services provided by PAs in different
ways. Public and corporate decision
makers, facing increasing pressure on
funding, tend to allocate less financial
resources to PAs relative to other sectors,
which are perceived to be more productive
in development terms. PAs are an
important and productive asset providing a
significant flow of economically valuable
goods and services and this needs to be
clearly communicated to decision makers
[16]. Economic studies drawing out the
significance of these services in monetary
terms and their contribution to local,
regional and national economies can be a
powerful way of demonstrating the
significance of PAs to decision makers.
Tourism is an important and rapidly-
growing sector in Romania’s economy,
and one of the most important and
emphasised development priorities [6]. In
2009 and 2010 around 6.1 million visitors
were recorded, accounting for 17.3 million

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