1. Process of data collection in Suriname By Gerrold Vismale Manager Data & Research Suriname Tourism Foundation Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014 Turkey Ankara 2 dec – 4 dec

2. Suriname as Vacation Destination  Area:163,820 sq km  Approx. 85% of this area is covered by tropical rainforest. (Nature reserves: 11 with a total of approximately18.810 sq.km)  Ethnic groups: East Indian 27%, Mixed 19%, Creole 18%, Javanese 15%, Maroon 14.5%, Amerindians 3%, Chinese 2%, European 1% Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

4. Green stands for fertility White stands for peace Red stands for love Yellow stands for unity

5.  Location  Is in the northern of South America  Sharing boundaries with Guyana in the west, French Guiana in the east, Brazil in the South and the Atlantic Ocean in the North.

6.  Languages: Dutch (official), English, Sranan Tongo (Creole Language), Hindustani, and Javanese. English is widely understood in the hotels and shops and used as a second language in commerce.  Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Dutch Reformed, Moravian, Jewish, and others.  Government: Democratic Republic governed by a President Population: 541.638 (2012) Male: 270.629 Female: 271.009 Population data provided by General Agency of Statistics in Suriname Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

7. Data collected by the ABS vs. data collected by the STF ------------------------------------ The Suriname Tourism Foundation in particular the Data & research department has a close collaboration with the General Agency of Statistics in Suriname. STF sends monthly and annual tourist figures to the above mentioned organization. Except Suriname Tourism Foundation the General Bureau for Statistics is also doing the monthly and annual publication in book form. Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

8. Benefits The General Bureau for Statistics in Suriname offers the STF (a stakeholder) the following: 1. Statistical workshop and training courses organized at least 1 time per year, where Suriname Tourism Foundation always participates. 2. At the request of the Suriname Tourism Foundation the General Bureau For Statistics in Suriname also cooperates in the execution and assistance of exit surveys. Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

9. - The objective of collecting tourism data, is to provide relevant, comprehensive, accurate and objective tourism statistical information. - At the moment, data is still being collected by the E/Dcard and processed by the MIST System from the C.T.O - Collected tourism data is essential for: 1.Policy formulation 2.Profile analysis of visitors 3.Evaluation of STF marketing activities (ROI) 4.Academic, industrial and corporate/ business research 5.Accountability (Government- citizens/ stakeholders) 6.Benchmarking 7.Facilitate comparison across countries and or regions Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

10. 1. Policy formulation 2. Profile analysis of visitors 3. Evaluation of STF marketing activities 4. Academic, industrial and corporate/ business research 5. Accountability (Government- citizens/ stakeholders) 6. Benchmarking 7. Facilitate comparison across countries and or regions CTO/CRSTDP Statistics Workshop 2005

11. YEAR Key tourism statistics Note 2003 Missing visitor arrival figures 2004 Visitor Arrival figures 2005 Results Exit Survey 2004 2009 Visitor arrival figures 2010 Visitor arrival figures 2011-present Visitor arrival figures Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

12.  Tourism expenditure estimates  Accommodation and Tourism Establishment Surveys  Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Presentation Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics& Tourism Satellite Account 2014

13.  WTO definition for TSA:"only way to have an overall view of tourism's impact on the economy on an equal footing with all other sectors."  Consequences of no TSA account for Suriname CTO/CRSTDP Statistics Workshop 2005

14.  I thank all participants especially the SESRIC and W.T.O for making this workshop possible. CTO/CRSTDP Statistics Workshop 2005