Estimating the Economic Value of Recreational Canal of kariz Underground City by Using Travel Cost Method (T.C.M)

The present study was conducted to estimate recreational value of Kish Canal underground city with an area of 60,000 square meters in the center of Kish island And to estimate the effect of increasing Travel Cost Method (TCM) on number of views. Methodology based on the estimated cost of regional travel and through questionnaires and interviews with 150 visitors from Canal Underground City Have been collected in 2013. Also to estimate the number Total viewers and the cost of their access, the demand curve was prepared by considering the input of different assumptions on the basis of the findings of the questionnaire. Results of regression equation and correlation coefficient indicates that There is significant linear relationship in reverse between Travel Cost Method and number of visits (R2 = 0.85, α <0.05). Also between Travel Cost Method and the distance can be seen a significant linear relationship (R2 = 0.56, α <0.05). In other words, by increasing Travel Cost Method, decreases number of views with increasing distance, travel expenses also are increased. In addition, obtained results showed the coefficient of dependence between level of education, age and income and number of visits. There is not significant relationship between these factors and the number of visitors (α> 0.05). The results of the analysis of questionnaire showed that The most important season of the year to visit Canal Underground City, has been spring and winter and finally recreational value of Canal Underground City was calculated by using the area under the curve of demand 18,536,806,003 (billion rials) that Represents the recreational value of of this place.

Keywords:

Economic Valuation , Travel Cost Method (TCM) , the underground city of Canal in Kish.