UNWTO Calls For More, Better Tourism Data

UNWTO has used the occasion of World Statistics Day to ]call for improved investment and coordination in data collection in the tourism sector.

Under the theme “Better Data. Better Lives,” the UN World Statistics Day is celebrated to raise awareness of how official statistics help decision makers develop informed policies that impact millions of people. Improved data sources, sound statistical methods, new technologies and strengthened statistical systems enable better decisions and better lives for all.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said: “Robust tourism statistics are vital to guide sustainable development, monitor progress, evaluate impact, promote results-focused management, and highlight strategic issues for policy objectives. UNWTO calls upon national governments to work towards building internationally comparable and reliable tourism statistics, including Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA), in line with the UN approved guiding namely the International Recommendations, the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 and the Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008.