The Economic Impact of Tourism on Cultural Heritage of Majuli: A Travel Cost Analysis using Count Data Models.

Abstract

Introduction: Using Travel cost method, the authors tried to measure the recreational value of the cultural heritages of Majuli commonly known as ‘Satras’. This paper reports the first formal recreational value of ‘Satras’ in Majuli, Assam. 

Objectives: The main objective of the paper is to estimate the recreational value of the cultural heritages of Majuli island in North-east India using non-market valuation techniques.

Methods: Selecting the peak season of the year and using an on-site sampling a total of 209 visitors were finally fit into an endogenously stratified Poisson regression taking into account the issue of non-visitors and sample selection bias. Multiple site visitors were taken into account by a rank scale from 0 to 10. The opportunity cost of time was excluded from the study.

Results: The results shows significant variables affecting the travel decisions of the respondents. Total travel cost, education, age and satisfaction were found to significantly affect the number of trips to Majuli. The endogenously stratified Poisson model found that consumer surplus of visit to Satras was found to be INR 6,895.83 which was INR 7.2 crores the total consumer surplus for five years.

Conclusion: Keeping in view of the importance of the cultural heritages of Majuli to the island and as a whole strategy should be incorporated for sustainable management of the cultural heritages in Majuli island from floods and flood induced erosion