Economics without markets: Policy inferences from nature-based tourism studies in Namibia

Abstract

This work documents policy inferences from valuation studies carried on nature-based tourism in Namibia. It is found that nature-based tourism in Namibia is not optimally priced and that significant resource rents do exists. Thus efforts are needed to ensure that Namibia’s natural assets are priced optimally and that the resource rents are captured. In capturing the resource rents, a combination of methods (user fees, indirect taxation schemes and environmental voluntary funds) should be pursued. Pricing policies adopted should at best reflect the costs of providing the environmental good/service.