RSCC I Resolution No. 22, s. 2003

ENDORSING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGIONAL OFFICE I THE RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING TOURISM STATISTICS IN SUPPORT OF TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

WHEREAS, tourism statistics is one of the important indicators in evaluating the economic performance of the region and an important element in planning the region’s tourism industry;

            WHEREAS, one of the critical issues that planners are faced with in preparing such plans is the lack of primary data in tourism while the more crucial problem is the reliability of such data;

WHEREAS, the Department of Tourism (DOT), which is the primary source of tourism data, points to the problem in data generation as the basic cause of the problem on the availability and reliability of tourism statistics produced in the region;

            WHEREAS, the RSCC, as the highest policy making body on statistical matters in the region, is mandated to resolve statistical problems affecting the region and to provide directions to statistical activities;

WHEREAS, a workshop on developing tourism statistics in support of tourism planning and development was conducted on October 2003 with the involvement of data users and generators, which include the LGUs with tourism focus, the concerned line agencies (DOT, National Statistics Office, National Statistical Coordination Board, and National Economic and Development Authority), a non-government organization (Regional Tourism Council, Region I) and the private sector (Regional Tours and Travel Agencies, and La Union Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Owners Association), inorder to firm up the tourism statistics in the region based from their own needs and perspectives;

WHEREAS, the following issues, which concern the DOT, were raised during the workshop:

1.      Day tourists are not captured in the tourist arrivals statistics since they are counted separately as excursionists;

2.      Inavailability of calendar/schedule of festivities in government and private offices; and

3.      The overestimation of the number of tourists in the region due to the possible double counting of tourists as they go from one province to another province within the region;

WHEREAS, the participating stakeholders recommended the following activities to be undertaken by the DOT inorder to solve the issues raised:

1.      Submission of data on excursionist arrivals to the Regional Development Council and the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee consistent to the submission of data on tourist arrivals since excursionists are also capable of influencing the socio-economic condition of the region;

2.      Dissemination of calendar/schedule of festivities to local government units and private agencies involved in the tourism business as part of tourism campaign; and

3.      Design a Computerized Guests Registration System for accommodation establishments inorder to facilitate the tabulation of tourist information by hotel staff;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, to approve the recommendations during the workshop on developing tourism statistics in support of tourism planning and development;

RESOLVED FURTHER, to endorse the above recommendations to the Department of Tourism Regional Office I.

Approved this 8^th day of December 2003, San Fernando City, La Union.