This research aims to estimate the local economic (income and employment) impacts of forest recreation, to estimate changes in forest visitors’ welfare associated with improvements to the recreational facilities provided in forests and to examine how the recreational values vary across different forest users and uses.

An assessment of the local economic impact of forest recreation was achieved using multiplier analysis. Three alternative economic valuation methodologies were also used in this research to examine the economic value of forest recreation. First, a travel cost count model was used to examine per-visit values for alternative groups of forest users. Next, contingent behaviour analysis and choice experiments were both used to estimate changes in visitors’ welfare associated with improvements to recreational facilities in forests.