The Recreational Value of Azibo Beaches: A Case Study in the Interior North of Portugal

Abstract

Located in the interior North of Portugal, the Azibo Reservoir Protected Landscape was created by the Portuguese authorities to preserve a rich natural environment, home of numerous species of fauna and flora. Later, a recreational area was created in its reservoir, with two public beaches that were awarded the Blue Flag eco-label. In this paper, the zonal travel cost method is used to estimate the recreational value of these two beaches, concluding that their economic benefit clearly exceeds the management costs incurred by the authorities. These results are in line with other studies for coastal areas.