ASSESSING VISITORS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY (WTP) FOR CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN PERHENTIAN ISLAND, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

Coral reefs are perform various vital functions aside from being one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. The coral reefs provide a habitat for more species per unit area than any other marine environment. Therefore, the conservation of coral reefs should be emphasised in order to reduce the damage of coral reefs which impact global ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to estimate the amount and visitors’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) for conservation of coral reefs in Perhentian Island, Terengganu and to ascertain the determinants that influence an individual’s willingness to pay for conservation programmes. Marine park fees use to cover the cost of park operation such as maintaining the moorings, enforcing rules, research and more. This study examines the degree of visitors’ awareness and importance of coral reef conservation using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to estimate visitors’ willingness-to-pay for the conservation of coral reefs on the island as non-market goods. This study uses STATA software to analyse the data and the results demonstrate that visitors valued the reef conservation programs at about RM 4.823 (million?). By devoting in conservation, we can safeguard the environment, and without immediate action and rapid mobilisation of resources, the reefs involve widespread collapse, and may trigger losses in the future.