The impact of economic recession on outdoor recreation demand: an application of the travel cost method in Greece

This paper uses a travel cost method in order to assess the impact of economic recession on the demand for outdoor recreational services, for the case of a protected riparian ecosystem. For this purpose, two travel cost surveys were conducted in Paranesti (located in Northern Greece) in 2009 and 2010 (i.e. before and during the economic recession in Greece). The final results show a significant divergence between the two surveys due to the changing economic conditions. Expected trips to the reference area and consumer surplus estimates are both decreased in 2010 by approximately 15–25%, indicating a significant change of travel behaviour in a relatively short-time period.