Tourists’ choice for carbon offset : revealed preference vs. stated preference

Abstract

This study investigates discrepancies in offset choices between real-world and hypothetical scenarios by comparing stated preference (SP) and self-reported revealed preference (RP) data. Using multinomial logit (MNL) and mixed logit (MXL) models, key findings are: (1) preferences for offset contributions and prices are consistent across SP and RP, but differ in project types, locations, and certifications. (2) partial data enrichment harmonizes SP and RP within MNL models, outperforming full enrichment. (3) positive state dependence shows previous choices influence stated ones, with individual heterogeneity in MXL models. (4) incorporating unobserved heterogeneity and state-dependence effects is crucial when merging SP and RP.