TY  - GEN
AB  - The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, designated as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, offers exceptional night sky experiences that significantly enhance visitor satisfaction. A survey of 367 visitors in October 2023 found that 47% would reduce future visits if the park's night skies became less dark. The report estimates that even slight increases in light pollution—to levels comparable with nearby Alamosa or Breckenridge—could result in annual tourism revenue losses between approximately \$176,000 and \$295,000, with broader regional GDP impacts due to reduced visitor spending. Additionally, the loss in net consumer benefits, reflecting the overall value and happiness visitors derive from the park, could range from \$708,000 to \$4.5 million annually. These conservative estimates underscore the significant economic benefits of preserving dark skies and highlight the importance of continued efforts to mitigate light pollution for the sake of both the local economy and visitor experience.
AU  - Yang, Guanyi
AU  - Eiswerth, Mark
AU  - Mullen, Liam
DA  - 2024-11-15
DO  - 10.52295/dcc.7959
DO  - doi
ID  - 7959
KW  - Dark sky conservation
KW  - Light pollution
KW  - Tourism economics
KW  - Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
KW  - Visitor spending behavior
KW  - Nonmarket valuation
KW  - Contingent behavior modeling
KW  - Travel cost method
KW  - Environmental economics
KW  - Night sky quality
KW  - Economic impact analysis
KW  - Recreational benefits
KW  - DarkSky International Gold Tier designation
KW  - Visitor surveys
KW  - Policy implications
KW  - Nature conservation
KW  - Ecotourism
KW  - Economic valuation of environmental goods
KW  - Sustainable tourism
KW  - Dark sky tourism
KW  - Astrotourism
L1  - https://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf
L2  - https://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf
L4  - https://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf
LA  - eng
LK  - https://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf
N2  - The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, designated as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, offers exceptional night sky experiences that significantly enhance visitor satisfaction. A survey of 367 visitors in October 2023 found that 47% would reduce future visits if the park's night skies became less dark. The report estimates that even slight increases in light pollution—to levels comparable with nearby Alamosa or Breckenridge—could result in annual tourism revenue losses between approximately \$176,000 and \$295,000, with broader regional GDP impacts due to reduced visitor spending. Additionally, the loss in net consumer benefits, reflecting the overall value and happiness visitors derive from the park, could range from \$708,000 to \$4.5 million annually. These conservative estimates underscore the significant economic benefits of preserving dark skies and highlight the importance of continued efforts to mitigate light pollution for the sake of both the local economy and visitor experience.
PY  - 2024-11-15
T1  - Tourism Response to Dark Sky Conservation at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
TI  - Tourism Response to Dark Sky Conservation at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
UR  - https://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf
ER  -