European water recreation values — A systematic review and meta-analysis of travel cost studies published between 2000–2021

European surface waters provide a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Also, the economic value of the waters has been extensively studied over the last few decades. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the European water recreation that examined the travel cost valuation studies published between 2000 and 2021. Following the well-established PRISMA guidelines, we found 40 separate studies with a total of 85 consumer surplus estimates based on data from over 113,000 persons. The data were analysed using 1) a multilevel random-effects model for estimating the average consumer surplus of a trip and 2) a meta-regression model with publication year, region, GDP per capita, multi-day trips and the type of recreation were included as covariates. The potential presence of publication bias was tested using Eggert's test. Studies on multiday trips and a variety of water recreation activities were observed to provide larger value estimates than studies focusing on specific single-day activities. In-water activities, such as boating, were more highly valued than activities in the vicinity of water, such as recreational activities on a beach. The average consumer surplus (CS) per trip was €158 (95 % C.I. [€107, €232]) in year 2019 PPP-corrected EU-27-country euros. No statistically significant differences in consumer surplus were found across regions. The average CS was also not found to have changed over the study period adjusted for inflation.