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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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