Economic-recreational valuation of Koohestan forest park of Kermanshah using Zonal Travel Cost Method (Z.T.C.M)

Nowadays, regular evaluation of recreational and non-market benefits of environmental resources is necessary so that those positive aspects be combined into politics and planned decisions. The main goal of this research is economic-recreational valuation of Koohestan forest park-Kermanshah using the zonal travel cost method.

Collecting quantitative and qualitative data, visiting the park, preparing questionnaires and analysis of the findings using Excel software have been the main principles of the related research. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were approved by the scientific board members of Payame Noor University and Cronbach alpha coefficient respectively.

Investigating the monthly income level of visitors showed that there is a high correlation between this variable in one hand and the number of days of visiting the promenade and also willingness to pay the entrance fee on the other hand. The results also showed that the level of education also plays an important role in attracting tourists such that the largest number of visitors was literate people. Reviewing of the carried out studies over Koohestan Forest Park showed that the highest number of visitors (48%) were in the age range of 20-35 years.The high recreational value of Koohestan forest park, which was calculated in the spring and summer of 2016, was equal to 727045380 rials.

The results indicate the need for more attention and the development of a comprehensive plan of tourism development for forest parks that can be an effective tool in planning and managing developmental projects.