The paper considers the relationship between charging and tourism activity, examines the price elasticity of demand and explores the role that road pricing may consequently have in visitor management. Road pricing is a generic term embracing a range of techniques, from simple uniform tolls, through differential charges designed to reflect environmental sensitity, to sophisticated electronic congestion metering. The applicability of each method to visitors is assessed, from theoretical considerations and empirical evidence, where available. This is developed to investigate the likely impact on visitor management and more sustainable approaches to tourism. The implications for the choice between pricing targeted at visitors and more general schemes designed to apply to all car users is discussed. The conditions necessary for successful visitor management is proposed. (A)
Abstract