The National Statistics Office (NSO), in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT), will conduct the 2009 Survey of Tourism Establishments in the Philippines (STEP), which aims to provide benchmark data on tourism activities relating to supply and capacity, inventory of facilities and services, employment, revenue and other indicators relevant for planning and policy formulation by the government and private sector.  The clearance for the conduct of the survey has been granted by the National Statistical Coordination Board under its Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) last May 26, 2010.  The survey was first conducted in 2002.

The major data items to be collected from the survey are:  (1) economic activity; (2) employment as of November 15, 2009; (3) facilities/amenities of establishments; (4) expansion plans within the next five years; and (5) accreditation with the DOT. The indicators to be generated include: (1) number of establishments engaged in activities catering to tourism industry; (2) number of employees of tourism establishments by nationality and sex/ by region and industry group; (3) available facilities/amenities by region and industry group; (3) revenue/sales and the percent share generated from tourism by region and industry group;  (4) number of tourism establishments with plans for expansion/renovation within the next five years by region and industry group; and (5) distribution of tourism establishments with DOT accreditation by region and industry group. 

Starting in August, survey questionnaires will be distributed to about 8,000 establishments with tourism activities such as accommodation, restaurant, transport operation and tour/travel arrangements, health and wellness and other tourism-related activities.  The questionnaires will then be collected until October 2010.  Electronic copies of the questionnaires will also be provided to the focal persons in the sample establishments during the period.

A total budget of Php 19.4 million or Php 2,425.00 per establishment is allocated for the 2009 STEP to cover travelling expenses, supplies, printing expenses, communication, freight, training and others.   Data evaluation and analysis of results are targeted to be accomplished in July 2011 while dissemination of the survey results will commence in March 2012.

The SSRCS is a mechanism institutionalized by the NSCB through Memorandum Circular Nos. 4-88 and 04-95, which aims to: (1) ensure sound design for data collection; (2) minimize the burden placed upon respondents; (3) effect economy in statistical data collection; (4) achieve better coordination of government statistical activities; and (5) inform the private sector and the public in general that a government survey operation has passed clearance and enjoin their cooperation in the conduct of the survey.

LINA V. CASTRO
Officer-in-Charge
Office of the Secretary General

Contact Persons:

Gay B. Tejada / Patricia Anne L. Rivera
Tel. No.: 8909404/8952436
E-mail: mgb.tejada@nscb.gov.ph / pal.rivera@nscb.gov.ph