Abstract

THOMPSON, George Rae et al. Economic Valuation of Recreational Services of the Cerro Kõi and Chorori Natural Monuments, Areguá, Paraguay. Investig. Agrar. [online]. 2025, vol.27, n.2, e2702842.  Epub Sep 11, 2025. ISSN 2305-0683.  https://doi.org/10.18004/investig.agrar.2025.e2702842.

The Cerro Kõi and Chorori Natural Monuments (CKCCNM) constitute a protected wilderness area in Paraguay that stands out for its columnar sandstone outcrops, rare geological formations present in few places in the world. Despite their ecological value, they face economic challenges to ensure their long-term protection and conservation. The advancement of urbanization in surrounding localities has driven a considerable increase in demand for ecosystem services provided by this site. To secure the necessary resources to improve the visitor experience at the CKCCNM through the implementation of a management plan, it is essential to consider their ecotourism potential. The general objective of this research was to economically value the recreational services offered by the CKCCNM through the contingent valuation method. Data collection was conducted through validated surveys applied in the study area, following the recommendations of Amarilla Rodríguez et al. (2023). A non-parametric analysis of the data was performed using the Kriström (1990) model. The main visit motivations were nature tourism, relaxation, and observation of geological formations, constituting examples of cultural ecosystem services. The findings emphasize the need to implement environmental access fees that consider not only visitors' ability to pay, but also principles of equity and institutional trust.

Keywords : non-parametric analysis; protected area; willingness to pay; contingent valuation method.

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