International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences
Year : 2016, Volume : 6, Issue : 4
First page : ( 192) Last page : ( 201)
Online ISSN : 2249-7382.

Evaluating Foreign Tourists’ Willingness to Pay for Ancient Gobeklitepe-Sanliurfa, Turkey

Manci Ali Riza

Asistant Professor in, Harran University, Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Sanliurfa, Turke

Online published on 20 April, 2017.

Abstract

The goal of this study is to determine entrance fee and factors that affecting willingness to pay (WTP) for ancient Gobeklitepe-Sanlıurfa-Turkey by using contingent valuation method (CVM). In this context, randomly selected 338 foreign tourists were the main material of the study. It was used two sorts of questions that were closed-ended (or dichotomous choice) and open-ended at the same time according to questionnaire format. The probit model and 2SLS (Two-Stage Least Squares) models were used to identify goals of the study. At the same time the factors that affect tourists’ WTP have been done by using maximum likelihood method (MLM) instead of LSE(Least Square Estimation) method. As a result the average WTP for the probit model is estimated the amount of $25 for Gobeklitepe and the stated WTP was estimated to be $22.04 by 2SLS. Accordingly, aggregate use value from probit model and 2SLS model were estimated 1, 042, 500 $/year and 919, 068 $/year respectively. This study is the first of its type in the region and based on an analysis of face to face questionnaires. The study determines the primary factors influencing tourists’ WTP for the optimal management of a cultural site. The results are extremely important for policymakers and contain useful information for Turkey and other countries with similar archaeological cultural heritage characteristics.

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Keywords

Willingness to pay, probit model, 2SLS model, culture economy, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe.

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