BY HELEN J CATALBAS
WE SEE no reason why tourism statistics are not accurate, updated or easily available.
We also consider it extremely misleading when we know one tourist is counted several times and reported as increase in tourist arrivals. This is misleading to government instrumentalities and private sector entities who use tourist arrivals statistics as reference in decision-making.
Under-recording and under-reporting of tourist arrivals statistics is just as bad as counting one tourist several times. This is just as misleading as multiple counting. The first case attracts less investment while the second one does the opposite. Either way does no good to the tourist destination concerned as false hopes and expectations occur.
Tourist destinations help promote accuracy in tourist arrivals recording and reporting when they adapt certain definitions set by recognized international authorities. They should refrain from making their own definition and parameters that tend to confuse tourism arrivals statistics one way or the other.
Tourists affect everything there is in a destination as they share the same space with the residents. This means there are two groups of population in any tourist destination at any given time, each affecting the other in a positive or negative way, or both. First, there is the resident population and second, the tourist population.
Certain groups of tourists are attracted to areas where the attractions, facilities, amenities and services, security, hospitality and image are good with less tourists as another criterion.
Let us all have access to accurate, updated and reliable information on tourist arrivals for the good of everyone. (HJC/PN)
