The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) is a standard statistical framework and the main tool for the economic measurement of tourism. It was developed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat), and the United Nations Statistics Division. The Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008 (TSA: RMF 2008) provides the updated common conceptual framework for constructing a TSA. It adopts the basic system of the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA 2008), the international standard fora systematic summary of national economic activity from a national perspective.

In an effort to measure the economic contribution of tourism, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) approved the methodology for the compilation of the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) through Board Resolution No. 01, Series of 2017- 148. Moreover, it provides for the endorsement of budget for the continued improvement of PTSA and for the conduct of the required surveys. It also enjoins the data source agencies of the PTSA to provide data support and improve their data collection system.

In line with this, PSA-CAR started compiling tourism statistics through the Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA). This publication aims to provide important facts with regard to the tourism of the region. It will help in the crafting of plans, policies and programs for further development of tourism in the cordilleras.