ECONOMIC VALUATION OF THE RECREATIONAL USE OF 'SIERRA DE HORNACHUELOS' NATURAL PARK (CORDOBA, SPAIN)

Economic valuation of assets that lack a market, such as recreational uses of open access in protected areas, provides valuable management information that can be useful in making policy decisions relating to the protection and conservation of the natural environment, as well as to the policies of recreational use by visitors. In this regard, in order to determine the demand for recreational use of public visitors to the Natural Park 'Sierra de Hornachuelos', 416 surveys were conducted, using the contingent valuation method and considering the vehicle entrance payment. The analysis of the results shows that the valuation of the benefits generated are significant enough to compare spaces or prioritizing.