Exploring US tourists’ willingness to pay for travel to a volcanic island with low air travel connectivity
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21689697 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sergio Alvarez (0000-0003-3076-117X, University of Central Florida, corresponding author), Robertico Croes (0000-0002-2547-3192, University of Central Florida), Karen C N Tavares (0000-0002-1292-1769, University of Central Florida), Manuel Rivera (0000-0003-1224-3010, University of Central Florida), Kelly Semrad (0000-0003-3495-6396, University of Central Florida) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Tourism Economics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1354-8166 • E-ISSN: 2044-0375 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13548166261445512 |
| OpenAlex | W7160022934 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 59 |
Mountainous and remote destinations have emerged as symbols of ecological purity, solitude, and regenerative experiences. This trend presents a strategic opportunity for small volcanic islands, whose rugged topographies and ecological integrity were once seen as barriers to tourism development. Nevertheless, a critical question arises: Are travelers willing to pay a premium to access these remote, mountainous islands? We use a double-bound contingent valuation experiment to assess the willingness to pay by U.S. visitors for a trip to Saba, a remote volcanic island in the Caribbean. The analysis explores individuals’ willingness to pay and its relationship with preferences for island geomorphology, difficulty of access, and demographic characteristics. Findings show that while a majority of U.S. visitors to the Caribbean prefer low-lying coral islands with good transportation connectivity, there is a segment of people who prefer rugged, remote islands and is willing to pay a substantial premium for this type of experience
Air travel · Contingent valuation · Destinations · Tourism · Willingness to accept · Willingness to pay · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |