Estimativa de uma função de demanda para os visitantes das Grutas da Rota Lund

Abstract

The Lund Route constitutes a route of speleological tourism, whose cities were object of study of the naturalist Peter Lund: Lagoa Santa, where is located the cave Lapinha; Sete Lagoas, where is located the cave Rei do Mato, and Cordisburgo where is located the cave Maquiné, in the central region of the State of Minas Gerais - Brazil. This paper contains the results of a survey conducted in the region, aims to better understand the profile and estimates a demand function of visitors of the caves of the Lund Route. To conduct the survey it was performed a primary data collection in a sample of 307 visitors to the caves. The study is based on consumer preference theory and special attention was given to obtain information regarding price elasticity of demand. The result shows that the demand is inelastic and the main factors of visitation are the place of residence, age, marital status, “the cave is the main reason of the trip”, type of accommodation, the daily spending and the degree of satisfaction with the guide.