Revisions to the UNWT0 Tourism Statistical Standards Towards a “Manual” for Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs) & Revisions to the UNWT0 Tourism Statistical Standards Scott M. Meis, UNWTO Collaborating Consultant Prepared for: State/Provincial Tourism Researchers Roundtable Meeting, 38th Annual Conference, Travel and Tourism Research Association June 17-20, 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada

WTO 2006-2007 Initiatives Research and development of a manual for Tourism Satellite Accounts Update & Revision tourism statistical standards: International Recommendations on Tourism Statistics (Rec93) – Major revision Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework (TSA:RMF) (Rec00) – Minor update – no new concepts 2

The TSA manual project Audiences: Compilers Users Educators

The TSA manual project Goals: Direct compilers towards improved international comparability Improved transparency of TSA development process through examples, references & background information Guide users in appropriately applications to policies & decisions on marketing and development Aid educators in teaching TSA methodologies Provide educators with TSA-based knowledge & insights on tourism economics

The TSA manual project Multi-volume structure: Volume 1: Compilation Guide Volume 2: User’s Guide and best case application examples Volume 3: Curriculum guide & handbook

Advisory network Purpose – a structure & process for consultation & cooperation Broad-based participation but limited & controlled access - Extension of the UNWTO Statistics Committee Leadership – D. Bederoff, Swedish Tourism Authority Supported by UNWTO-Forum Network Participation Agreement Network member typology Supported by Web-based electronic forum and data base

UNWTO Electronic Forum & Data base To provide a discussion forum, a platform to exchange opinions, information and documents Among technicians of different countries Representing national administrations from tourism, statistics offices, Central Banks and other organizations related to tourism statistics and TSA Supported by WTO/Araldi partnership agreement

Forum Objectives Information and communication Exchange of Information Discussion tool Organizer tool Working tool Database Links Information and communication: To mirror all UNWTO members’ activities related to TSA implementation To serve as the UNWTO Forum on TSA implementation and tourism statistics related issues Exchange of Information To provide a platform for UNWTO members to exchange information and documents about the TSA in a variety of formats like Word, Excel, Acrobat, etc… Discussion tool To provide a simple way to exchange opinions, to open online discussions and to reach consensus on different issues related to TSA implementation Organizer tool To provide a tool for organizing in a systematic way sets of documents, comments and contributions related to TSA Working tool To provide an area for UNWTO-TSAFORUM members to work together within a virtual working environment Database To provide a database of contacts and experts, a kind of “Who’s who” regarding TSA expertise, a professional virtual community on TSA Links To provide links to resources and documents from other related Webs.

Who Will Be Targeted? National Tourism Administrations Central Statistical Offices Central Banks Tourism Industry (TTRA members,…) Technical and subject matter experts (TTRA members, etc.) General public

Hierarchical Content Levels PYRAMID STRUCTURE OF CONTENTS Hierarchical Content Levels Guidelines summary Guidelines detailed text Examples & best cases Regional examples Discussion & comments Links to sources and references Contacts

Potential TTRA Subject-Matter Experts Participation How Could You Contribute? By holding a organization-based guidelines review meetings and electronic fora Goal: to make recommendations on possible changes to the content, reach consensus and return comments to the UNWTO By individual review of the draft guidelines (sent by e-mail)) Goal: to record comments directly in the document and return it to UNWTO Why? Because your feedback would… Provide impartial feedback on draft compilation guidelines Help to ensure that sufficient scope is captured and that content is relevant Reflect the reality of tourism and national accounting experts and researchers from around the world

The TSA manual project - Project specification & planning All key priorities initiated and sustained But limited resources mean choosing emphasis each year … 2006: Research & Literature review - Project specification & planning - Initiate organization & constituency consultations - Identify partners, sub-project leaders, authors, contributors & reviewers - Specify electronic forum & platform requirements 2007: Draft Compilation guide Research, Identify & specify users’ & educators’ requirements Develop electronic platform prototype - Initiate drafting User guide 2008: Complete Compilation Guide - Complete User’s Guide - Draft Educators’ Texts 2009: Deliver and release Compilation Guide

UNWTO 2006-2007 Statistical Standards Update Initiatives Recommendations on Tourism Statistics (Rec 93) Major revision Improve integration with UN system i.e. BOP, Immigration, SNA, Int’l Trade, ISIC - Harmonization with TSA-RMF Supply-side measures of tourism activity Tourism Satellite Account-Recommended Methodological Framework (Rec 00) - Minor update – no new concepts - Harmonization with revised IRTS - Harmonization with SNA revisions - 13

Statistical Standards Update Issues Definition of tourism & visitors – i.e., travel vs tourism, inclusion and treatment of travel related to paid work Definition of the usual environment – Conceptual definition, measurement criteria & exceptions (i.e., vacation homes) Tourism expenditure vs tourism consumption Forms of tourism Supply-side measures of tourism activity New sections on employment & environment Structure of the standards document Inclusion of measurement issues? 14

Summary of the IRTS Revision Processes IRTS Revisions – Draft v1 & Workshop– June-July 2006 IRTS Revisions – Draft v2 & call for country responses– Fall 2006 UNWTO Statistics Committee – Discussion of country and industry users responses - March 2007  IRTSv3 available for public view & discussion – April-June 2007 Expert group meeting to discuss IRTSv3 plus pubic input – June 2007 IRTSv4 restricted circulation to expert group and Statistics Committee for comments – July 2007-August 2007 Draft for Inter Agency Coordination Group on Tourism Statistics – September 2007 Final draft revised IRTS submitted to UN Statistical Commission for approval– February 2008   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Conclusion and vision Updated international tourism statistics standards by 2008 A trilogy of TSA electronic manuals by 2009 Improved harmonization and integration of tourism statistics with global economic & social statistical system Provide compilers, users & educators with comprehensive transparent documentation Methodology, applications & insights will set standards for researchers, statisticians & analysts Move international research community further toward fulfilling leading role for national research organizations 16

Thank you for your interest & attention! Are there any questions? _______________ Further information: http://www.unwto.org/statistics/committee/8th meeting http://www.world-tourism.org/statistics/forum/login.php