Evaluation of environmental assets value on Borneo using the travel cost method

Abstract

Rainforests, as invaluable natural resources, play a pivotal role globally, offering many ecosystem services such as recreation. This study aims to quantify the value of Brunei’s rainforest assets (specifically recreational areas and national parks) utilizing the Travel Cost Method (TCM), a prevalent approach for ascertaining the worth of natural sites. The tourism use of Brunei’s rainforests holds a high value, estimated at over $300,000 USD per square kilometer, which supports the argument for resource allocation towards their protection not only for ecological reasons but also for their recreational benefits. The authors posit that nature-based ecotourism can be a sustainable and protective mechanism for tropical rainforests. Practical recommendations for ecotourism include a minimalist approach to visitor regulation, limiting access to a small percentage of large recreational areas and national parks to protect flora and fauna, and possibly implementing entry or service fees.