Research

WAN NORHIDAYAH W. MOHAMAD · KEN WILLIS · NEIL POWE ·International Journal of Economics and Management ·2018 ·JEL: Q51; Q57

Accounting for ignored attributes, or attribute non-attendance (ANA), in discrete choice experiment (DCE) is believed to produce more reliable willingness to pay (WTP) estimates. However, there is evidence that respondents who claimed to have ignored some attributes may simply have assigned them lesser importance. To explore this issue in the context of tourism research, a new follow-up question is used to investigate whether the respondents have ignored certain attributes or just assigned the attribute as of lesser importance when responding. Three different mixed logit (MXL) models were estimated and compared. Results generally indicate that some respondents do indeed ignore certain attributes, and some of them put less emphasis on certain attributes when making decisions. Comparison of the different MXL models reveals different WTP estimates, suggesting the importance of considering an appropriate method to deal with ANA.

Mahirah Kamaludin · Kuna Sandran · A.A. Azlina ·Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia ·2018

Water supply is an expensive investment and it is inevitable that the people have to prepare themselves for a universal hike in water prices in order to secure uninterrupted supply in the future. Inexpensive water prices cause the consumers to take water supply for granted and hence, lack of water conservation initiatives prevail. Sufficient funding is needed to implement various programs to improve water services. The costs of these programs should not be incurred by the water companies which are already burdened by the small revenue resulting from low water price. As the collection of revenue is inadequate to cover operating costs, the services rendered to the consumers are often unsatisfactory and the operational efficiency is below par. The last review of water tariff in Terengganu was done in the last two decades. Hence, with the increase in income within the last two decades, a study is needed to assess consumers’ willingness to pay for improved water services. This study employs Double Bounded Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to estimate households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in water services in Terengganu. Monetary benefits of improved water services for the consumers in Terengganu were determined based on the value of WTP. The findings of this study will be used in identifying the frequent problems and issues faced by the government owned water supplier in Terengganu. Efficient water prices will facilitate efforts in delivering better water services and promoting greater efficiency in the financial and operational management of operators to attain financial sustainability

Nur Syuhada Che Ibrahim · Mahirah Kamaludin · Nur Fatihah Shaari ·Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia ·2019

Water service is usually taken for granted as important amenities with required levels needed, however little is known about how much consumers are willing to pay for particular water service levels. Improved water services should be based on the understanding built upon consumers’ choice and preferences. Thus, this study aims to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) of consumers in Terengganu, Malaysia for improvement in domestic water services. A choice experiment method was conducted to assess consumer preferences for water service attributes: i.e. water quality, water disruption, water pressure and water price. Primary data were collected using face-to-face interviews of structured questionnaire from a sample of residents in eight districts in Terengganu. A conditional logit model was carried out for data regression. The results showed signifcant willingness to pay (WTP) and the contribution of the level of education, age and income in supporting the specifc attributes of water services improvements. Identifying the attributes and their prices based on consumers’ preferences would help water provider to recognize and deliver preferred water service attributes, effective water tariff policy for cost recovery and water service sustainability to consumers.

Wan Norhidayah W Mohamad · Faten Nabila Abdul Fatah · Zaiton Samdin · Bakti Hasan-Basri ·International Journal of Economics and Management ·2022 ·JEL: Q51, Q57

The tourism sector plays an important part in Malaysia's economy. It includes beach and recreational tourism. However, most recreational beaches in Malaysia do not impose an entrance fee on visitors. Depending on government funding to maintain recreational beach facilities is not the best option for the future. Therefore, funding directly from visitors is needed to help cater for beach maintenance costs. Based on this, it is crucial to understand how much visitors are willing to pay for the recreational use of beaches, as any money collected could be used to help to improve facilities and services at beach areas. This study investigated visitors' willingness to pay for recreational beach facilities and has provided policy recommendations for better management of tourist facilities and services in the future. Teluk Kemang beach in Port Dickson was chosen as the case study location. This study applied the Choice Experiments (CE) method, and the model used was the Conditional Logit (CL) model. This research used four attributes: amenities, recreational facilities, cleanliness, and entrance fee. The CL results revealed that visitors were willing to pay for good amenities and cleanliness, with values of RM2.07 and RM2.43, respectively. Therefore, it was discovered that it was practical to charge an entrance fee to cover improved maintenance of beach facilities

Gabriel M.S.Vianna · Mark G.Meekan · Abbie A.Rogers (The University of Western Australia · Marit E.Kragt · James M.Alin · Johanna S.Zimmerhackel ·Marine Policy ·2018

This study estimated the economic value of the shark-diving industry in Semporna, the most popular diving destination of Malaysia, by surveying the expenditures of diving tourists and dive operators through the region. A willingness-to-pay survey was also used to estimate the potential of the industry as a financing mechanism for enforcement and management of a hypothetical Marine Protected Area (MPA) to conserve shark populations. The study showed that in 2012, shark-diving tourism provided direct revenues in excess of USD 9.8 million to the Semporna region. These economic benefits had a flow-on effect, generating more than USD 2 million in direct taxes to the government and USD 1.4 million in salaries to the community. A contingent valuation analysis indicated that implementation of a fee paid by divers could generate over USD 2 million for management and enforcement of the MPA each year. These findings suggest that shark diving is an important contributor to the economy of the Semporna region that could be used as a mechanism to assist financial resourcing for management and conservation strategies.