International Journal on Social Science Economics & Art The Economic Value of Sangiran Museum, Central Java, Indonesia Application of Travel Cost Method Mugi Raharjo # , Evi Gravitiani * # Environmental Science Postgraduate, Sebelas Maret University, Ir. Sutami Street No 36A, Surakarta, Indonesia E-mail: harryuns@gmail.com * Faculty of Economy, Sebelas Maret University, Ir. Sutami Street No 36A, Surakarta, Indonesia E-mail: e_gravity2000@yahoo.com Abstract— This research is an application travel cost method (TCM) at Sangiran Museum which aims to estimate the total value of benefit for visitors Sangiran Museum, willingness to pay (WTP) visitors to the activities of the addition of new facilities at the Sangiran Museum and analysed factors that affect the significant impact on the level of visits per 1000 population per year to the Sangiran Museum. This sample size was 180 people, the election is done by way of probability sampling. The results of this study indicate that the total value of benefits at Sangiran Museum admission fee is equal to zero for Rp. 728,013,743.7 (USD 80,890.42), while the total value of benefits per year, Sangiran Museum in admission rates applicable to Rp. 300,- (USD 0.03) to Rp. 532,788,743.7,- (USD 59,198.75). Magnitude average maximum willingness to pay (WTP) of visitors to the activities of the addition of new facilities at the Sangiran Museum is Rp. 11,102.63 (USD 1.23). Form of empirical model functions best in this study is the log-log form. The results of regression analysis showed that the variable cost of travel (LnTC), education (LnEDC), income (LnNC), distance (LnDIS) and age (LnAGE) significantly affect the level of significance level of 5% of visits per 1000 population per annum (LnV) the Sangiran Museum. Keywords— Travel cost method; total benefits; willingness to pay; Sangiran Museum. I. INTRODUCTION The existence of cultural heritage sites is susceptible to various threats, physical and non-physical threats. The physical threats are pollution, climate, weather, and non- physical are urbanization, population growth and also tourist destination. Therefore, cultural heritage sites need protection and preservation. Sangiran primordial human site is one of Indonesia's cultural heritage sites which has designated as world heritage committee number 593 by the World Heritage. This site explains the history of homo sapiens from the Pleistocene era through discovery of fossils and artifacts artistic. Sangiran primordial human site as cultural heritage site faces the main problems, excavation and sale of fossils and artifacts objects illegally. The government had anticipated this by issuing Law No. 5 of 1992, Objects of Cultural Property. Sangiran Museum is established by government in Krikilan village to keep and protect the fossils and artefacts. Valuation on cultural heritage which has characteristics as public goods, can be done by non-market valuation technique [2]. Willingness to Pay (WTP) concept usefull to measure the benefits by providing economic valuation of environmental goods. The economic valuation of cultural heritage objects uses contingent valuation methods (CVM). CVM is estimated the value of individual preferences towards non-market goods through direct disclosure. Meanwhile, travel cost method (TCM) is used to estimate the value of individual preferences towards non-market goods. The non market goods can be calculated by comparing it to value of market goods. TCM can be used on objects of cultural heritage such as research conducted by the Poor and Smith [3]. Poor and Smith’s study can minimize the TCM’s limitations by analyzing the travel costs to Hisoric St. Mary's City of Maryland (HSMC), located in rural areas (rural location). The research problems are the total value of benefits Sangiran museum for visitors, Willingness to Pay (WTP) of visitors to the addition of new facilities at the Sangiran Museum, and the factors that influence the rate of visits per 100 population per year to the Sangiran museum. Aims of this research are: 1) to determine total benefit of Sangiran museum visitors and Willingness to Pay (WTP) on 39