TOURISTS WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ECOTOURISM VIEWING AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AT THE PAGA AND WECHIAU WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

Abstract

This thesis examined tourists' willingness to pay for wildlife viewing and wildlife conservation at the Paga and Wechiau Wildlife Sanctuaries. The objectives of the study were to assess tourists' willingness to pay for wildlife viewing, wildlife conservation and community welfare. The study employed contingent valuation methodology to survey tourists' willingness to pay for ecotourism viewing and wildlife conservation at Paga and Wechiau sites. A multistage sampling technique was used to select tourists sites and respondents from both wildlife sanctuaries. A structured questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument to elicit information from tourists'. The study revealed that 43% of all respondents were willing to pay for an increase in wildlife viewing fees. Both tourists sites experienced consumer surpluses. At the Paga site, foreign tourists benefited a surplus of GH¢ 8.80 while local tourists benefited a surplus of GH¢6.00. At the Wechiau, site foreign tourists benefited a surplus of GH¢ I0.30, while local tourists benefited a surplus of GH¢ll.OO. The average tourist was willing to pay GH¢12.50 into a wildlife conservation fund for both tourists' sites. Foreign tourists were willing to pay GH¢12.00 while local tourists were willing to pay GH¢13.10 for wildlife conservation. The average tourist was willing to pay GH¢12.60 into the community welfare fund. While foreign tourists were willing to pay GH¢12.30 and local tourists were willing to pay GH¢12.90 into the community welfare fund. The study recommended that management should make it mandatory for tourists to contribute into the already existing conservation fund while that of the community welfare fund should be made optional.