Demand for Water-based Leisure Activity

This paper reports on the demand for water-based leisure activity in Ireland based on data from a nationally representative telephone survey. Participation and trip demand are modelled using an augmented Poisson count model and consumer surplus welfare estimates are derived. The model is also used to investigate the level of social exclusion in water-based leisure activity. The demand for four activities is examined: sea angling, boating, swimming and other beach/sea/island day-trips. Results indicate that Irish rivers, wetlands, estuaries and seas are highly valued, while there is some evidence of social exclusion in water-based leisure activity.