Valoración de bienes públicos relativos al patrimonio cultural. Aplicación comparada de métodos de estimación y análisis de segmentación de demanda

The valuation of non-market goods is an increasingly widespread subject of study in economic analysis, both in terms of theoretical contributions and empirical applications. Analysis of natural resources has long engaged scholars’ attention, although growing interest is focusing on assets linked to cultural heritage. We establish various objectives in this article. Firstly, using the contingent valuation method, we aim to estimate the economic value of an enclosed prototype of cultural heritage, the National Sculpture Museum at Valladolid. Secondly we carry out a comparative application of three statistical estimation methods; non-parametric, parametric and semiparametric for checking result robustness. Finally, we perform a segmentation analysis of the willingness to pay shown by individuals dependant upon differing socio-demographic characteristics so as to classify possible payment profiles. These results may provide useful information concerning the maximum amounts, which might be paid in the form of donation quotas, an issue drawing increasing interest in the current context of change regarding the financing of new museums and other similar public institutions through legislation governing foundations and nonprofit organizations.