- Email: [email protected]
Travel and tourism statistics
RESEARCH
589
NOTES AND REPORTS
the “social.” Hollinshead concluded by calling for “passion in human/cultural research” by replacing the “rape model” of research with the “lover model.” The 1992 annual conference of STTE will be held in Reno (USA) from October 28 to November 1, 1992. Copies of the 1991 conference proceedings or information on STTE can be obtained from K. S. Chon, Department of Tourism and Convention Administration, College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas NV 89154-6023, USA. 0 0 Bharath Josiam: Department of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie WI 54751, USA. Submitted 27 January 1992 Accepted 4 February 1992
Travel
and Tourism
Statistics
Turgut Var Texas A&M University,
USA
Ottawa, Canada, was the venue of the International Conference on Travel and Tourism Statistics, held 24-28 June 1991. Considering that the environment for tourism has undergone rapid changes since the last United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism, held in Rome in 1963, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the Government of Canada undertook a massive organization to host the 1991 conference, which was attended by delegates from 90 countries. The international organizations participating in this important conference included the Organization of American States, United Nations Statistical Office, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Pacific Asia Travel Association, European Travel Commission, Statistical Office of the European Communities, International Civil Aviation Organization, and Travel and Tourism Research Association. The private industry representations included the World Travel and Tourism Council, European Tourism Action Group, U.S. Travel Data Center, Canadian Automobile Association, and International Hotel Association. There were six discussion papers accompanied by several responses. The first paper, delivered by Antonio Merediz Montero of WTO, dealt with basic definitions and classifications for tourism statistics. Martin Butterfield, from Australia, delivered the response. Brian Baty of the UK and Gabriel Vera of Mexico brought proposals for definitions of “same-day travel.” Alan Pisarski of WTO and Marco Lancetti of the European Communities, led the discussion on classification of tourism activities. Tourism satellite accounts were discussed by Stewart Wells and Jocelyn Lapierre of Canada. The responses included Alfred Franz of OECD and Ke-Chian Wang of Economic Commission of Africa. Jean-Luc Michaud (substituted by Marc Christine) of France started the discussion on measuring performance. Additional perspectives were presented by Albert Gomes of the US, Stephen Wheatcroft of the UK, Bill Hartman of the US, and Kenneth Prysor-Jones of Mexico. The final paper delivered by Douglas Frechtling, of WTO, dealt with development of a future work program for travel and tourism statistics. One of the highlights of
590
RESEARCH
NOTES AND REPORTS
the conference was the signing of an agreement between Canada and the United States for cooperative tourism research. The first recommendation of the conference stressed that the proposed definitions and classifications be adopted by consensus and the text of these definitions and classifications be widely circulated to all interested parties. In line of these recommendations, WTO has circulated two additional versions of resolutions, the first dated July 1991 (CONF-OT-RES/l) and the second dated October 1991 (CONF-TO-RES/5). The latter version contains several annexes dealing with the details of performance indicators and draft standard classification of purpose of visit, of countries and areas recommended for tourism statistics, of means of transport and tourism accommodations, tourism expenditure, and by duration of stay or trip. The conference also recommended that a consultation process be established by WTO to enable all interested parties to express their views on these definitions with a view to reaching an agreement by the Fall of 1992, prior to their submission to the United Nations Statistical Commission in February 1993. One of the most important outcomes of the conference was the definition of tourism as “the activities of a person traveling to a place outside his or her usual environment for less than a specified period of time whose main purpose of travel is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.” The term “usual environment” is intended to exclude trips within the place of residence and routine trips; “less than a specified period of time” is intended to exclude long-term migration; and “exercise of an activity renumerated from within the place visited” is intended to exclude only migration for temporary work. It was also recommended that in order to compare tourism activities with the economic activity of other industries, it is essential to define and develop the supply side of tourism statistics. In order not to create confusion, the conference recommended that the following common terminology be adopted to describe three basic categories of tourism: (a) “domestic tourism,” which comprises “internal tourism” and “inbound tourism,” while “internal tourism” refers to residents of a country visiting their own country and “inbound tourism” refers to visits to a country by nonresidents; (b) “national tourism,” which comprises “internal tourism” and “outbound tourism,” where “outbound tourism” refers to residents of a country visiting other countries; and (c) “international tourism,” which consists of “inbound tourism” and “outbound tourism.” The conference recommended several specific definitions for submission to the United Nations Statistical Commission for endorsement. Furthermore, it was also recommended that national administrations adopt these definitions as the core measurement for tourism demand (Table 1). The conference also dealt with definition of expenditure and recommended that any expenditure incurred by or for a visitor for his/her trip be considered as tourism expenditure. The remainder of the conference was devoted to classification of supply activities and recommended that national programs seek to establish tourismresponsive activity classifications within their national statistical systems that are harmonious with established international standards. The establishment of tourism satellite accounts that would reconcile demand-side data with supply-side data was highly recommended by the conference. Recognizing that implementation of the recommendations would be the primary responsibility of the World Tourism Organization, in close cooperation with other competent international and regional organizations, industry associations, and individual countries, the conference recommended development of an action plan and urged the countries to adopt the recommendations,
RESEARCH
NOTES
591
AND REPORTS
Table I. Tourism Definitions
Terms
International (Inbound and Outbound) Tourism
Internal
Tourism
Resident
A person is considered to be a resident in a country if he has lived in that country for at least a year or twelve consecutive months prior to his arrival in another country for a period not exceeding one year.
A person is considered to be resident in a place if he has lived in that place at least six consecutive months prior to his arrival at another place in the same country for a period not exceeding six months.
Visitor
A person who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence and that is outside his usual environment, for a period not exceeding one year, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A person residing in a country, who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for a period not exceeding six months, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
Tourist
A visitor who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence for at least one night but not more than one year, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A visitor residing in a country, who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for at least one night but not more than six months, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
Excursionist (same-day visitor)
A visitor who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence, and that is outside his usual environment, for less than 24 hours without spending the night in the country visited, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A visitor residing in a country who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for less than 24 hours without spending the night in the place visited, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
RESEARCH
592
NOTES
AND REPORTS
insofar as they are compatible with their own needs and possible within their available resources. This important meeting on travel and tourism statistics is considered a milestone in development of a stronger statistical base that is expected to meet the needs of changing environment. The Government of Canada, Tourism Canada, as the host of the conference, are congratulated for the role they played in organizing this international meeting. The resolutions of the conference is available from the World Tourism Organization, Capitan Haya 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. 0 0 Turgut Var: Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M College Station TX 77843-2261, USA. Submitted 18 December 1991 Revised copy submitted 15 January Accepted 13 March 1992
Tourism
1992
Development
Centre
University,
for Tourism
of Huangshan
Research
Scenic Area
Shalini and Development,
Singh India
In 1990, the Huangshan mountains in the Anhui province of China was listed as a World Heritage area for all its unique nature-culture excellences. It is among one of the ten such extraordinary resources that UNESCO has decided to conserve and preserve for posterity. What uniquely characterizes the Huangshan scenic area are wondrous land sculpture, grotesque pine trees, vast seas of clouds, and hot springs. The Huangshan mountains are also par excellence in the unusual culture that they have been able to preserve, despite the overwhelming forces of modernization. This splendid work of nature has been the biggest attraction for the Chinese in the ages past-alluring pilgrims, philosophers, poets, painters, and thinkers who found it a most inspiring environment for the creation of their masterpieces. Mass Tourism was, however, hardly a decade-old phenomenon when, in 1980, China opened its doors to the outside world. The number of visitors has been increasing ever since: it reached 1.6 million in 1990, when only one-third of the area had been opened for tourism development. Most of the tourism concentration is in the North Sea area, which is famous for “seas of clouds” that thrill visitors beside the queer geological features that come to vision all around. The big attraction is the cable car that runs from the “Cloud Valley” to the North Sea, covering a distance of about 3 km. The other points, such as the pine valley, can still accommodate more tourists. While the Huangshan mountain scenic area has been able to maintain its quality of environment, the problem of congestion during the peaks and consequent pollution is in evidence. The other major problem is the systematic disposal of solid and liquid wastes that inevitably damage the amenity and quality of the environment. On the invitation of the Chinese Government, the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UNESCO, and WTO organized a ten-day international symposium (October
589
NOTES AND REPORTS
the “social.” Hollinshead concluded by calling for “passion in human/cultural research” by replacing the “rape model” of research with the “lover model.” The 1992 annual conference of STTE will be held in Reno (USA) from October 28 to November 1, 1992. Copies of the 1991 conference proceedings or information on STTE can be obtained from K. S. Chon, Department of Tourism and Convention Administration, College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas NV 89154-6023, USA. 0 0 Bharath Josiam: Department of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie WI 54751, USA. Submitted 27 January 1992 Accepted 4 February 1992
Travel
and Tourism
Statistics
Turgut Var Texas A&M University,
USA
Ottawa, Canada, was the venue of the International Conference on Travel and Tourism Statistics, held 24-28 June 1991. Considering that the environment for tourism has undergone rapid changes since the last United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism, held in Rome in 1963, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the Government of Canada undertook a massive organization to host the 1991 conference, which was attended by delegates from 90 countries. The international organizations participating in this important conference included the Organization of American States, United Nations Statistical Office, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Pacific Asia Travel Association, European Travel Commission, Statistical Office of the European Communities, International Civil Aviation Organization, and Travel and Tourism Research Association. The private industry representations included the World Travel and Tourism Council, European Tourism Action Group, U.S. Travel Data Center, Canadian Automobile Association, and International Hotel Association. There were six discussion papers accompanied by several responses. The first paper, delivered by Antonio Merediz Montero of WTO, dealt with basic definitions and classifications for tourism statistics. Martin Butterfield, from Australia, delivered the response. Brian Baty of the UK and Gabriel Vera of Mexico brought proposals for definitions of “same-day travel.” Alan Pisarski of WTO and Marco Lancetti of the European Communities, led the discussion on classification of tourism activities. Tourism satellite accounts were discussed by Stewart Wells and Jocelyn Lapierre of Canada. The responses included Alfred Franz of OECD and Ke-Chian Wang of Economic Commission of Africa. Jean-Luc Michaud (substituted by Marc Christine) of France started the discussion on measuring performance. Additional perspectives were presented by Albert Gomes of the US, Stephen Wheatcroft of the UK, Bill Hartman of the US, and Kenneth Prysor-Jones of Mexico. The final paper delivered by Douglas Frechtling, of WTO, dealt with development of a future work program for travel and tourism statistics. One of the highlights of
590
RESEARCH
NOTES AND REPORTS
the conference was the signing of an agreement between Canada and the United States for cooperative tourism research. The first recommendation of the conference stressed that the proposed definitions and classifications be adopted by consensus and the text of these definitions and classifications be widely circulated to all interested parties. In line of these recommendations, WTO has circulated two additional versions of resolutions, the first dated July 1991 (CONF-OT-RES/l) and the second dated October 1991 (CONF-TO-RES/5). The latter version contains several annexes dealing with the details of performance indicators and draft standard classification of purpose of visit, of countries and areas recommended for tourism statistics, of means of transport and tourism accommodations, tourism expenditure, and by duration of stay or trip. The conference also recommended that a consultation process be established by WTO to enable all interested parties to express their views on these definitions with a view to reaching an agreement by the Fall of 1992, prior to their submission to the United Nations Statistical Commission in February 1993. One of the most important outcomes of the conference was the definition of tourism as “the activities of a person traveling to a place outside his or her usual environment for less than a specified period of time whose main purpose of travel is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.” The term “usual environment” is intended to exclude trips within the place of residence and routine trips; “less than a specified period of time” is intended to exclude long-term migration; and “exercise of an activity renumerated from within the place visited” is intended to exclude only migration for temporary work. It was also recommended that in order to compare tourism activities with the economic activity of other industries, it is essential to define and develop the supply side of tourism statistics. In order not to create confusion, the conference recommended that the following common terminology be adopted to describe three basic categories of tourism: (a) “domestic tourism,” which comprises “internal tourism” and “inbound tourism,” while “internal tourism” refers to residents of a country visiting their own country and “inbound tourism” refers to visits to a country by nonresidents; (b) “national tourism,” which comprises “internal tourism” and “outbound tourism,” where “outbound tourism” refers to residents of a country visiting other countries; and (c) “international tourism,” which consists of “inbound tourism” and “outbound tourism.” The conference recommended several specific definitions for submission to the United Nations Statistical Commission for endorsement. Furthermore, it was also recommended that national administrations adopt these definitions as the core measurement for tourism demand (Table 1). The conference also dealt with definition of expenditure and recommended that any expenditure incurred by or for a visitor for his/her trip be considered as tourism expenditure. The remainder of the conference was devoted to classification of supply activities and recommended that national programs seek to establish tourismresponsive activity classifications within their national statistical systems that are harmonious with established international standards. The establishment of tourism satellite accounts that would reconcile demand-side data with supply-side data was highly recommended by the conference. Recognizing that implementation of the recommendations would be the primary responsibility of the World Tourism Organization, in close cooperation with other competent international and regional organizations, industry associations, and individual countries, the conference recommended development of an action plan and urged the countries to adopt the recommendations,
RESEARCH
NOTES
591
AND REPORTS
Table I. Tourism Definitions
Terms
International (Inbound and Outbound) Tourism
Internal
Tourism
Resident
A person is considered to be a resident in a country if he has lived in that country for at least a year or twelve consecutive months prior to his arrival in another country for a period not exceeding one year.
A person is considered to be resident in a place if he has lived in that place at least six consecutive months prior to his arrival at another place in the same country for a period not exceeding six months.
Visitor
A person who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence and that is outside his usual environment, for a period not exceeding one year, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A person residing in a country, who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for a period not exceeding six months, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
Tourist
A visitor who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence for at least one night but not more than one year, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A visitor residing in a country, who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for at least one night but not more than six months, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
Excursionist (same-day visitor)
A visitor who travels to a country other than that in which he has his usual residence, and that is outside his usual environment, for less than 24 hours without spending the night in the country visited, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.
A visitor residing in a country who travels to a place within the country, but outside his usual environment, for less than 24 hours without spending the night in the place visited, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.
RESEARCH
592
NOTES
AND REPORTS
insofar as they are compatible with their own needs and possible within their available resources. This important meeting on travel and tourism statistics is considered a milestone in development of a stronger statistical base that is expected to meet the needs of changing environment. The Government of Canada, Tourism Canada, as the host of the conference, are congratulated for the role they played in organizing this international meeting. The resolutions of the conference is available from the World Tourism Organization, Capitan Haya 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. 0 0 Turgut Var: Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M College Station TX 77843-2261, USA. Submitted 18 December 1991 Revised copy submitted 15 January Accepted 13 March 1992
Tourism
1992
Development
Centre
University,
for Tourism
of Huangshan
Research
Scenic Area
Shalini and Development,
Singh India
In 1990, the Huangshan mountains in the Anhui province of China was listed as a World Heritage area for all its unique nature-culture excellences. It is among one of the ten such extraordinary resources that UNESCO has decided to conserve and preserve for posterity. What uniquely characterizes the Huangshan scenic area are wondrous land sculpture, grotesque pine trees, vast seas of clouds, and hot springs. The Huangshan mountains are also par excellence in the unusual culture that they have been able to preserve, despite the overwhelming forces of modernization. This splendid work of nature has been the biggest attraction for the Chinese in the ages past-alluring pilgrims, philosophers, poets, painters, and thinkers who found it a most inspiring environment for the creation of their masterpieces. Mass Tourism was, however, hardly a decade-old phenomenon when, in 1980, China opened its doors to the outside world. The number of visitors has been increasing ever since: it reached 1.6 million in 1990, when only one-third of the area had been opened for tourism development. Most of the tourism concentration is in the North Sea area, which is famous for “seas of clouds” that thrill visitors beside the queer geological features that come to vision all around. The big attraction is the cable car that runs from the “Cloud Valley” to the North Sea, covering a distance of about 3 km. The other points, such as the pine valley, can still accommodate more tourists. While the Huangshan mountain scenic area has been able to maintain its quality of environment, the problem of congestion during the peaks and consequent pollution is in evidence. The other major problem is the systematic disposal of solid and liquid wastes that inevitably damage the amenity and quality of the environment. On the invitation of the Chinese Government, the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UNESCO, and WTO organized a ten-day international symposium (October