TOURISM IMPACT ESTIMATION

Economic impacts associated with whitewater recreation on the Klamath River in Oregon (USA) are estimated using a combination of primary expenditure data and the IMPLAN input-output system. Impact estimates are generated for a range of use levels. A ''naive'' model, which assumes that all expenditures in the destination area are related to the river, is distinguished from an ''adjusted'' model, which includes only expenditures that would be lost without the river. Primary data regarding substitution behavior indicate that estimates of total impact may be overstated if an adjusted model is not employed. Overall results show that whitewater recreation, even on a small scale, can help to diversify a region's economy.