Information Society and Tourism Statistics (IS)
How to use the information society in a more efficient manner and better meet
users needs (e.g. getting quick feedback of data with high usability)? There is
a necessity to shorten the time between the collection and dissemination of
data and to minimize the response burden. Important challenges ahead of us will
request that we support the decision-making process with quick and high quality
data. Papers reporting and evaluating innovative technical experiences,
successful applications of information systems and data production systems are
encouraged.
Martin Lagerström, head of the unit Travellers & Tourism at Statistics
Sweden
Sara Frankl, project manager at the unit Travellers & Tourism at Statistics
Sweden
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Statistics Sweden has produced Accommodation Statistics since 1978, from 1995 by order of the Swedish Tourist Authority. The Swedish Accommodation Statistics is subjected to the law of the Swedish official statistics which among other things means that anyone supplying accommodation (of a certain extent) commercially, is obligated to supply accommodation data to the producer of the Swedish Accommodation Statistics, i.e. Statistics Sweden.
Demands on increased quality in the Swedish Accommodation Statistics have been put forward by interested parties and users of the statistics (for example some of the major hotel chains and The Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association, SHR). Discussions on how to meet these demands on increased timeliness, relevancy, accessibility and ease of supplying data was initiated in the summer of 2002.
In the fall of 2002 a project group with representatives from Statistics Sweden, The Swedish Tourist Authority and SHR was put together and a plan was formed on how to best meet the demands put forward. A reference group consisting of representatives from some of the major hotel chains was also formed. It was agreed on that the best way to meet the demands was to, as far as can be done, automatize the processes of supplying and collecting data.
In this presentation we propose to show our experiences in this work process - how we have chosen to use information technology to improve the quality of the Swedish Accommodation Statistics. The main focus will be on the efforts made to implement an automatized process of data collection using the respondents’ booking systems.
The authors:
Martin Lagerström, head of the unit Travellers & Tourism at
Statistics Sweden
(email: martin.lagerstrom@scb.se)
Sara Frankl, project manager at the unit Travellers & Tourism at
Statistics Sweden
(email: sara.frankl@scb.se)
Anne Mari Auno, Senior Executive Officer, Statistics Norway
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Papers and presentations |
Collecting
accommodation data via the Internet |
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Paper Abstract:
Statistics Norway has over the two previous years made several moves to
increase the response rates, improve the quality of the input data, decrease
the response burden and increase the timeliness of our accommodations
statistics. The main changes have been the introduction of a fine for non- or
late-respondents, optical registration of paper forms, receiving reports
directly from the establishment's booking systems and receiving forms via the
Internet. The results will be evaluated during spring 2004 and a report will be
written.
For the 7th International Forum on Tourism Statistics we propose to present Statistics Norway's experience with receiving forms via the Internet. We will cover:
background
· Statistics Norway aim to offer an electronic option for delivering data for
all statistics by mid-2004
· the industry has asked for this option to enable them answering on time (the
form is due in 5 days after the month of reference)
implementation (with only a few technical details)
· how the system is built up
· what the respondent has to do to use this option
demonstrate the application
· how it differs from the paper version
· how we try to make the respondent correct figures that are inconsistent, most
likely incorrect etc. by controlling the form
our experience regarding input data quality, response burden,
timeliness
· do they have more or less errors than the postal forms?
· can we make the controls stricter?
· when do they answer; in the beginning of the month, in the middle, in the
end? Would it be possible to make preliminary figures only a couple of weeks
after the reference period?
· has the response burden changed?
what is next?
· which areas will we focus on to improve the existing system?
Methodology: N/A
User value of the information/Application text:
Bibliography: None
Akos Probald, Head of Services Statistics Department, Hungarian Central
Statistical Office
Istvan Gether, Head of Transport and Tourism Statistics Section, HCSO
Edina Virag, Executive of Transport and Tourism Statistics Section, HCSO
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As a response to the need of both the hotel industry and tourism administration for the dissemination of timely data on the hotel accommodation market and for an usable feedback to our data the a new Internet based monthly monitoring survey was introduced in Hungary in 2003.
A series of consultations started in 2002 with the representatives of hotel sector and the central government bodies resulted in the specification of a monitoring, which would meet the requirements of timeliness and usage by data suppliers as well. Each step of the implementation was specified together with them in advance namely:
Variables (occupancy rate, gross room revenue, gross average room rate, revenue per available room, total tourism nights).
Publication of the results (on the 6th day after the reference period).
Format of dissemination (Internet and hard copy).
Data content of the feedback to the hotels (e-mail, data on the category of the hotel plus regional average).
Hotel Association of Hungary encouraged their members in a circular to join “the club” which was established on a voluntary basis in the experimental period in the second half of 2002.
At the beginning an 80 % coverage of the gross revenues of the business was targeted with sending out the questionnaire to the top 100 hotels by revenue (18 % of the hotels).
After a several month testing period the evaluation definitely proved the usefulness of the monitoring and its acceptance by the users. So the survey was legalised in the annual National Statistical Programme for 2003 in accordance with the Act on Statistics (XLVI. 1993).
The monitoring has been well received by users both government bodies and hotels since the beginning. With the feedback each hotel has been given the opportunity to position itself and to follow the market changes.
At the end of 2003 all the five and four star and about 60 three star hotels were involved covering 90% of the revenues and 60 % of the total tourism nights.
Bruce Bassett, Team Leader – Research, Ministry of Tourism, Wellington, New Zealand
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Papers and presentations |
Tourism Statistics - Management and Dissemination Approach in New Zealand |
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Tourism Statistics - Management and Dissemination Approach in New Zealand |
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New Zealand has developed an approach to managing its tourism statistics that has been conducive to driving quality and consistency within the data sets, and for enabling ready access to the statistics.
Since 2002, the management of New Zealand's tourism statistics has been vested with the Ministry of Tourism to be managed on advice from the Tourism Research Council New Zealand. This change was made as result of the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010.
In New Zealand, the core tourism data set is comprised of four surveys (International Visitor Arrivals, International Visitor Survey, Domestic Travel Survey and the Commercial Accommodation Monitor), and the TSA and forecasting programmes.
The funds are vested with the Ministry of Tourism which engages providers to undertake the work. New Zealand's official statistical agency, Statistics New Zealand, is the provider for the IVA, CAM and TSA programmes.
In 2002, the Ministry conducted a Review of Official Tourism Statistics which generated six strategic and 96 technical recommendations. Implementation of these recommendations is currently being advanced in order to significantly increase data quality and consistency.
A key innovation relates to the data management and dissemination systems that have been developed. A common data management software is utilised for all tourism data with access to the data and the software provided via the www.trcnz.govt.nz website. This system allows users to utilise the software and a large collection of data to undertake tailored analysis.
The website has a large collection of tiered information - highlights of key figures, preset tables and preset data cubes for analysis. Shortly, a trial will be conducted to facilitate access to full databases.
While this is a relatively new programme, significant enhancements to New Zealand's understanding of tourism have been secured, with further gains to be achieved.
The beneficiaries of this programme include the New Zealand tourism industry, central and local government, as well as a range of stakeholders, including the financial community.
Methodology
The paper reflects the practical approach applied in New Zealand and so this would be expressed using a case study methodology.
User value of the information/Application text
The user value in setting out the New Zealand practice relates to the major steps taken to consolidate the management of tourism statistics with one organisation, to increase the quality and consistency of the data sets and to facilitate easy user access to both data and analysis.
Bibliography
I can provide a number of published outputs. However, the best means to examine both our programme and our dissemination approach is to view our website at www.trcnz.govt.nz
Stan Fleetwood, Principal Analyst, Tourism Analysis and Investment, Tourism Division, Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, Canberra, Australia
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Current developments in expansion of Australia’s tourism data |
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Current developments in expansion of Australia’s tourism data |
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Abstract:
During the 1980s and 1990s tourism in Australia was on a strong growth curve.
This was primarily due to strong growth in inbound international tourism.
Domestic tourism was relatively static.
Inbound tourism accounts for around 25% of total tourism, with domestic tourism accounting for the bulk, 75%, of tourism demand. Because of this, when inbound tourism faltered in 2001 – first as a result of the worsening global economic climate and then the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US – the sector experienced severe hardship.
By 2003 Australia had experienced – for the first time ever - three consecutive years of declining inbound visitor numbers, while domestic tourism continued to be static.
These developments, coupled with concerns that Australian tourism needed to be better placed to compete in an increasingly competitive international tourism environment, led the Australian Government to announce the development of a medium to long term strategy for tourism in 2002. A strategy was approved by the Australian Government in November 2003, and covered a range of reforms to key tourism bodies and additional funding initiatives totalling $AUS235 million ($US174 million) over four and a half years.
Amongst a number of developments announced in the Plan, was an expansion to Australia’s tourism statistics and research. An extra $AUS21.6 million ($US16 million) was allocated to expanding the statistics’ program.
The Australian tourism industry had been critical of gaps and perceived weaknesses, mostly related to issues of timeliness and regional level data. The extra funding is being primarily targeted to addressing these issues, through improvements to current collections, as well as restructuring the tourism research infrastructure.
The paper discusses changes underway or being planned and any lessons learned from the experience to date.
User value of the information:
Australia’s tourism statistics’ system is relatively well developed, by
international standards. The significant improvements resulting from the
expansion to the system, puts Australia in a further advanced position.
Australia’s experience in developing its tourism data can provide valuable
guidance and lessons for other countries and contribute to assisting the
development of their tourism data systems.
Bibliography:
Tourism White Paper, Australian Government, November 2003
Last updated: 2004-07-05
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