DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)
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Main Recommendation No. 3: Improved system for collecting tourism statistics<br />
While general tourism statistics in the Maldives are reliable and admirably up-to-date in<br />
respect of tourist arrivals and bed occupancy data, the statistics on tourism earnings<br />
appear to be underestimated and insufficiently detailed and accurate with an average total<br />
that is too low. Similarly, the statistics relating to direct and indirect tourism employment<br />
are unreliable. Given the significance of tourism for economic development in the<br />
Maldives, it is strongly recommended that the system of tourism statistics, including on<br />
tourism employment should be improved.<br />
More specifically, the following activities are recommended to ensure more accurate<br />
information on the economic significance of tourism:<br />
a) Full adoption of international definitions of tourism terms and concepts as<br />
recommended by the World Tourism Organization.<br />
b) Design and conduct of a comprehensive visitor expenditure survey that<br />
provides more accurate information on the average total and daily tourism<br />
expenditure by market area and segment.<br />
c) Implementation of a Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA) system to monitor the<br />
economic impact of tourism on a continuing basis as part of the National<br />
Accounts system.<br />
d) Design and conduct of a comprehensive tourism employment survey, to be<br />
undertaken on a regular basis twice per year, during the peak and off-peak<br />
seasons.<br />
In particular, the findings and results of the visitor expenditure survey should also be<br />
used as input for the proposed implementation of a Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA)<br />
system to monitor the economic impact of tourism on a continuing basis as part of the<br />
National Accounts system. Spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization, TSA<br />
systems are becoming widely used to improve accurate reporting on the economic<br />
importance of tourism in national economies. With the position of the Maldives as a topclass<br />
tourism destination, the country should also be at the forefront with modern<br />
methodologies. This was also a recommendation in a 2000 study on the Economic,<br />
Social and Environmental Impact of Tourism.<br />
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation currently collects information on tourism<br />
employment on an ad-hoc basis. It is recommended that a regular tourism employment<br />
statistics system, based on international standards, be designed and instituted to provide<br />
employment information on a regular basis, twice a year, during peak and non-peak<br />
seasons. The availability of such data will also facilitate proper human resource<br />
development planning for the tourism sector (please also see the recommendations on<br />
employment and training below).<br />
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