Kesanggupan membayar [willingness to pay] oleh pengunjung terhadap Hutan Bandar di Daerah Johor Bahru

Abstract

The purpose of urban forest development by local authorities is to preserve and improve quality of environment as well as to provide social amenities to the local residents. This scarce source is important to be protected so that our future generation can enjoy a benefit from the urban forest. Thus, the main questions that need to be answered is, if the visitors are willing to pay, how much the entrance fees that visitor willing to pay in order for them to use the urban forest. Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was used to identify the value that visitors are willing to pay used in this study. 200 questionnaires have been distributed and respondents are requested to state their willingness to pay for an environmental goods and services. Two areas were selected for this study namely Hutan Bandar Johor Bahru and Hutan Bandar MPJBT. From the result, the average of to pay for one visit is RM 1.67. This value represents as an entrance fees if it would be charged to respondent who visit the urban forest in future. Willingness to pay among respondents also influenced by other factors which will be discussed in this study. Nevertheless, this study also emphasize on unwillingness to pay by respondents. The implications from this study can benefits the local authorities when implementing the entrance fees in future.