Estimating the Recreational Value of Taham Watershed Rangelands in Zanjan by Using a Contingent Valuation Method

Taham watershed as one of ecotourism attractions and geo-tourism in Zanjan province is an important zone of tourist. Thus, study of recreational value can be effective in predicting needs and shortages and tourism development in the region. The aim of this research is the estimation of recreational value of Taham watershed and measurment of individual’s willingness to pay (WTP) based on contingent valuation method (CVM) and dichotomous choice (DC). Required data were gathered through 181 viditors in the zone. The results showed that annual variables of visit number, education, income, indigenous persons and bid mount are significant and effective factors on WTP. The mean of WTP for recreational value of this rangeland is 6266 Rials for per per visitor and total recreational value of rangeland is annually about 539062303 Rials that visitors that it shows the visitors attention to the recreational resources in the zone.