The Review is also published on the National Statistics website
Quality Reviews Section, where further information on National Statistics Reviews can also be found.
Background
This National Statistics Review of Tourism Statistics followed from the identification of tourism data as a priority at meetings between Ministers and the Tourism Industry at Hartwell House.
Outline of process
The review was conducted and written up by an independent consultant. National Statistics guidelines and requirements for consultations and reviews were followed.
The project's steering group comprised representatives from industry, tourist boards, tourism organisations, and other government departments including the devolved administrations.
The consultation process took place throughout Summer 2003 and included interviews with a cross-section of key users; 35 people in total. Due in no small part to publicity by industry organisations, 60 replies were received in response to the open invitation to contribute via the questionnaire which was available on this web page.
The outcome is a thorough and challenging report which makes recommendations across the wide areas of statistics that are pertinent to tourism.
Progress and next steps
The Report was submitted to the National Statistician for approval in March 2004, as is required in National Statistics reviews. The report has now been approved by the National Statistician. His response can be viewed at:
The Department then led work on the production of an Implementation Plan. This will involve delivered a plan with ownership and buy-in from all organisations which produce tourism-related statistics. Given the number of organisations involved, this process was allowed 6 months for completion.
