The Philippine Statistics Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (PSA-CAR) conducted the first quarter meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Tourism Statistics last 31 March 2023 at the PSA-CAR Conference Room.

The TWG on Tourism Statistics was created thru Regional Statistics Committee-Cordillera Administrative Region (RSC-CAR) Resolution No. 06, series of 2020 to provide technical assistance in the estimation of the regional Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA), formulate measures to resolve data gaps, and address other statistical issues related to tourism in the region.

The TSA is an accounting framework adopted by the United Nations (UN) and is designed to measure goods and services associated with tourism activities according to international standards, concepts, classifications, and definitions. It provides stakeholders with reliable data to guide them in making public policies and business strategies for tourism.

The Cordillera Region is the first amongst other regions to ever start estimating subnational tourism expenditures under the TSA Project. CAR TSA is part of the coverage of Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009” that “declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance.” One of its objectives is to enhance the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data that measure the economic impact of tourism.

PSA Chief Statistical Specialist Aldrin Federico R. Bahit Jr. facilitated the discussion on ways to improve the estimation of the Average Daily Expenditure (ADE) of tourists and data collection on tourist arrivals. He previewed the publication CAR TSA Report: 2016-2021 that will soon be released.

PSA-CAR is constantly looking for ways to improve data collection and estimation methodologies to further strengthen the estimates of the CAR TSA. We give our utmost appreciation and gratitude to the members of the TWG on Tourism Statistics for their valuable support and active engagement in the TSA Project of the region.

(SGD)
VILLAFE P. ALIBUYOG
Regional Director