Modeling Daily Outdoor Recreation Participation and Time-Use as a Two-Stage Choice Process: A Finnish Example

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of daily participation and time-use in nature-based outdoor recreation among the Finnish population, comparing frequently used modeling methods. Using an original time diary dataset, results show that daily participation decision is mainly influenced by age, dog ownership, potential unemployment and timing of the day (weekend vs. weekday, summer vs. autumn), whereas the main determinants for the daily time-use are age, timing of the day, gender and province. Results indicate that a simple two-part model (probit and OLS) is an appropriate approach for modeling the daily decision process concerning nature-based recreation behavior.

Keywords:

• Heckman sample selection model
• nature-based recreation
• time-budget
• Tobit model
• two-part model

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Professor Olli Saastamoinen for being the supportive cornerstone for the whole research process. Thanks also to two anonymous reviewers and the Associate Editor for constructive and very helpful suggestions.