Willingness to Pay as an Index of Direct Taxation for Restoration of Seaside Environment

Thermaic, Pagasetic and Saronic gulfs which surround the regional units of Thessaloniki, Magnesia and Attica respectively, do suffer from heavy pollution. In order to examine to what extend citizens of Thessaloniki, Volos and Piraeus were willing to pay (WTP) for restoration operations in their cities, questionnaires were given out. 240 individuals were interviewed, 80 people from each city were chosen to serve as a random sample and provide. The answers to various questions statistics show that volunteers in Volos are willing to pay more for the environmental recovery of the gulf, while respondents in Thessaloniki are willing to pay the least amount for the environmental restoration. Considering the results of this empirical analysis, it is safe to conclude that the respondents of the regional area of Thessaloniki would pay more money for the restoration of the gulf. At the same time they believe the protection of the sea is a significant issue. Respondents in close proximity to the sea declare that they would pay higher to restore it. It is also important to note that there are different parameters that affect the willingness of respondents to pay in each case. The above study, which has been conducted in three different areas of Greece aims to be part of a larger environmental protection plan and will hopefully be supported by every citizen, the Public Administration and Local Authorities