000007959 001__ 7959
000007959 005__ 20241122103657.0
000007959 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.52295/dcc.7959
000007959 037__ $$aGENERAL
000007959 041__ $$aeng
000007959 245__ $$aTourism Response to Dark Sky Conservation at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
000007959 260__ $$c2024-11-15
000007959 270__ $$mgyang@coloradocollege.edu
000007959 270__ $$mMark.Eiswerth@unco.edu
000007959 270__ $$ml_mullen@coloradocollege.edu
000007959 300__ $$a17 pages$$billustrations$$fPDF files
000007959 336__ $$atext
000007959 380__ $$aFaculty publications
000007959 502__ $$nEconomics and Business
000007959 520__ $$aThe 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.
000007959 542__ $$fCC BY-NC-ND : Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
000007959 650_4 $$aDark sky conservation
000007959 650_4 $$aLight pollution
000007959 650_4 $$aTourism economics
000007959 650_4 $$aGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
000007959 650_4 $$aVisitor spending behavior
000007959 650_4 $$aNonmarket valuation
000007959 650_4 $$aContingent behavior modeling
000007959 650_4 $$aTravel cost method
000007959 650_4 $$aEnvironmental economics
000007959 650_4 $$aNight sky quality
000007959 650_4 $$aEconomic impact analysis
000007959 650_4 $$aRecreational benefits
000007959 650_4 $$aDarkSky International Gold Tier designation
000007959 650_4 $$aVisitor surveys
000007959 650_4 $$aPolicy implications
000007959 650_4 $$aNature conservation
000007959 650_4 $$aEcotourism
000007959 650_4 $$aEconomic valuation of environmental goods
000007959 650_4 $$aSustainable tourism
000007959 650_4 $$aDark sky tourism
000007959 650_4 $$aAstrotourism
000007959 7001_ $$aYang, Guanyi
000007959 7001_ $$aEiswerth, Mark
000007959 7001_ $$aMullen, Liam
000007959 8564_ $$uhttps://digitalcc.coloradocollege.edu/record/7959/files/report.pdf$$9fb343c75-9215-4ead-ace8-c99128736ef1$$s489747
000007959 961__ $$arfloyd@coloradocollege.edu
000007959 970__ $$aUser agreed to Deposit Submission Agreement
000007959 980__ $$aIR
000007959 981__ $$aPublished$$b2024-11-20
000007959 982__ $$aEconomics and Business Department Faculty Publications
000007959 982__ $$aState of the Rockies Faculty Publications