Political economy of protecting unique recreational resources: Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

摘要: The impact of tourism growth on the environment has become an increasingly important public issue in travel destinations. We review Honolulu's recent experience designing management strategies to protect one its most popular, unique and endangered natural recreational resources, Hanauma Bay Nature Park. explain why Honolulu City Council members first adopted nonprice rationing techniques reduce visits park later added admission fee only replace it with a lower less efficiency-enhancing structure. Lawmakers desire (i) quality environment, (ii) collect economic rents (i.e., achieve efficiency) for benefit general public, yet must (iii) political equilibrium. As demonstrates, goals often conflict (iii), yielding typically second-best outcome. Efficiency can be attained if is also consistent attaining