Analysis of Economic Effects of Eco-Tourism on Wang-An Island: A Case Study of Green Turtle Protected Area in Pescadores

Research PaperWith the expansion of transport, increasing car ownership, rapid increase in outbound travel and new interests in nature based eco-tourism, and the adoption of 5 work days, marine eco-tourism is expected to have a very promising future and need more detailed preparation and planning. While marine eco-tourism occupies 30% of the travel industry, leisure activities in coastal areas are concentrated on a few areas such as swimming and fishing, and are expected to become more diversified with the increase of income. Marine eco-tourism brings about an advance in region's economical output and is good options to provide much needed employment for rural community, such as fishing village. This paper aims to investigate how the Wang-An Island in the Pescadores archipelago can be developed as an eco-tourism site. We carried out surveys to estimate the recreational value of Wang-An island in 2002 and 2003. In this case study, both on-site travelers and local residents are interviewed. In order to understand the tourist behavior, the recreational value of the Wang-An Island, and the economic impacts caused by eco-tourism are investigated. The contingent valuation method is applied to evaluate the visitors' and residents' willingness-to-pay for preserving the Wang-An Island. We also identify those positive and negative crucial factors related to the development, operation and management of the eco-tourism in the Island. SWOT method is applied to analyze the Niche for developing a sustainable eco-tourism at the Wang-An Island. Finally we construct an ideal model of eco-tourism community which can provide a decision support mechanism in building a sustainable island eco-tourism. The results of this research can also provide many insights on policies for developing the eco-tourism in other similar oceanic islands