Review of Process

• Strategic Context
• Review Team
• Objective
• Scope
• Approach
• Review Evaluation
• Recommendation Structure
• Implementation

Strategic Context

The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 released in 2001 highlighted the role of tourism research, data and forecasts as a key enabler of the tourism sector. The key recommendations related to tourism statistics are:

By mid-2002, OTSp (Ministry of Tourism) in conjunction with the TRCNZ establish commitment for continuation of funding for the core tourism dataset for at least the next five years. The accountability for commissioning the core tourism data set ... should be aggregated and managed within one organisation.

The Government has provided ongoing funding for the core tourism dataset and the accountability for this data has been placed with the Ministry of Tourism on advice from the TRCNZ.

Furthermore, the TRCNZ's Tourism Research and Development Strategy 2002 recommended the following action:

The core datasets are to be consolidated within one organisation (the Ministry of Tourism) which will enable the definitions, methodologies and data management elements to be examined and aligned. This will require a systematic approach that will draw widely on the expertise of data providers, managers and users. The Tourism Research Council New Zealand is to undertake a review of the core tourism datasets to advance this key area. This will result in consistency between datasets allowing easier analysis of the information.

The Review of Core Tourism Statistics has been undertaken in accordance with the above recommendations in order to inform the Ministry and the TRCNZ on the steps needing to be undertaken to establish an informed programme of quality improvement and data integration.

Review Team

The Review of Core Tourism Statistics has been conducted by the Ministry of Tourism with the assistance of stakeholder agencies, particularly Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) and Tourism New Zealand, and with input from other stakeholders. Jocelyn Young was seconded from SNZ to the Ministry as Project Manager of the Review. Alistair Gray of Statistics Research Associates Limited provided expert statistical advice to the Ministry. The TRCNZ Technical Committee provided direction and critical appraisal throughout the review process.

Objective

The objective of the review was to provide recommendations for improving the quality, utility and integration of the core tourism datasets in order to assist the TRCNZ in its task of enhancing the overall quality and value of the core datasets.

Scope

In order to focus the projects, the scope of the review covered the survey design aspects and methodologies of the existing six tourism datasets and related data management and dissemination aspects. Excluded were the forecasting methodologies, the structure of the dissemination channels and the cost implications of the recommendations.

There are many other actual or potential tourism-related data sources, but examination of these was outside the scope of this review.

Approach

The review was undertaken on a systematic basis and included the following key stagessks:

• Consultation with users and providers on data uses, issues and needs
• Definition of the core tourism statistics
• Identification of key issues relating to the datasets
• Evaluation and recommendation development
• Implementation plan

Based on this analysis, the Review Team prepared a draft the full Review of Core Tourism Statistics report and from this, the Summary Report was prepared as a more concise and accessible account of the outcomes of the Review.

Review Evaluation

In line with the review objectives, the key elements for evaluation were:

Recommendation Structure

Following evaluation of the survey methodologies and datasets, and the main issues, 6 Strategic Recommendations and 96 Technical Recommendations have been developed.

Each Technical Recommendation has been assigned a ranking of short-term, medium-term or long-term.

Implementation

The implementation of the Review will be undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism on advice from the TRCNZ and with the engagement of stakeholders as appropriate.

Individually and collectively, the recommendations set out in this document reflect a substantial body of work to be undertaken over the next few years.

Key to ensuring the successful enhancement of the core tourism statistics will be the establishment of a comprehensive programme to advance the recommendations through the Ministry of Tourism. The recommendations will establish the core elements of the work programme of the Ministry's Research Team as it administers the datasets and advances the recommendations of the review.

The provision of appropriate resources will be key to advancing this programme on a systematic basis.