Estimating the outdoor recreation value of the Dalab forest area in the Ilam Province using the contingent valuation method

In light of the increase in demand for recreational forest areas, it is imperative to determine factors influencing visitor attitudes to better anticipate recreational needs and improve the management of these areas. Due to its natural and historical attractions, the Dalab forest area is considered one of the most important areas of tourism potential in the Ilam Province, Iran. By using the contingent valuation method, this study estimated the recreational value of this area. A logit model was evaluated by the likelihood ratio test to investigate the factors affecting the willingness to pay (WTP) for visiting it. The information was collected by filling out questionnaires by 180 visitors to the area with independent income in 2020. The results showed that family size, education level, marriage, owning a car, annual income, and the level of security in the area all contribute positively to visitors' WTP, but being a passenger, the length of the visit, and the amount offered of entry provided negatively affect the quality of this characteristic. 81.66% of respondents were willing to pay an entrance fee to visit the Dalab forest area. It was estimated that the respondents would be willing to spend on average 47690 Rials on a visit to this recreation area. Furthermore, the annual recreational value of the Dalab forest area was estimated at 476.9 million Rials, which is the equivalent of 184.7 thousand Rials per hectare. The results demonstrate that the region has a high recreational value, indicating its importance for sustainable management as one of the Zagros' most valuable ecosystems.