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ANNEX IThe definitions to be applied to the information collection characteristics

2.TOURISM DEMAND

2.2. DEFINITIONS OF VARIABLES

2.2.1. Volume of tourism
Number of tourists (persons engaged in tourism)

Definition:

Visitors who stay at least one night in a collective or private accommodation in the place/country visited.

Number of tourism trips

Definition:

Trips made by tourists, i.e. overnight trips.

Concerning outbound trips with a world geographical breakdown, the destination can be understood in different ways. It may be:

(i)

the place the visitor considers as the most important place visited (motivating destination)

(ii)

the place where the most amount of time is spent (time destination), or

(iii)

the farthest place visited (distance destination).

It is useful to know all these destinations as well as less important destinations in transit. The main destination (place, country) should be separated from other destinations. The main destination is related to the main purpose of trip and therefore the main destination should be defined as (i), the place that the visitor considers as the main destination. If the respondent has difficulties in deciding what that is (for example for a touring trip), the main destination may secondarily be decided as (ii), the place where most nights were spent or, if there are several such places, (iii), the farthest place.

Number of tourism trips (by month of departure)

Definition:

Trips made by tourists, i.e. overnight trips, recorded by the month of departure.

Day of the week and season can be obtained from the date. Note that if the date of return is asked in addition to the date of departure, the difference does not necessarily give the duration of trip. One must be careful not to include day trips; the dates may be different but the trip may not involve an overnight stay. Therefore the number of overnight stays (length of stay) must be asked separately.

Number of tourism nights

Definition:

A tourism night (or overnight stay) is each night that a guest actually spends (sleeps or stays) or is registered (his/her physical presence there being unnecessary) in a collective accommodation establishment or in private tourism accommodation.

It is recommended to record all countries of overnight stays during the trips. Nights spent on board ship or in a train moving from one country to another are included in outbound overnight stays but they are not spent in any specific country. It is recommended to include them in the ‘cruise’ or ‘not specified’ category. If the nights are spent on board ship, when the ship is in port, the passengers may or may not be formally free to enter the country. If the passengers are free to enter the country, the nights might be in principle recorded to that country, spent in a specialised establishment (public means of transport), but also in this case the ‘cruise’ category is recommended.

2.2.2. Characteristics of trips

Trip characteristics are asked for each trip separately. Each trip has one main purpose but it may involve secondary motivations, several visits with possibly different purposes and several activities.

Length of stay

Definition:

The length of stay for overnight trips is defined as nights spent.

The actual number of overnight stays must be inquired, it cannot be calculated from the departure and return dates.

Organisation of stays

The Directive specifies the following types of organisation of the stay:

(i)

direct reservation with transport/accommodation operator

(ii)

use of travel agent, tour operator:

  • package travel

    Package travel

    Definition:

    Package travel is a combination of travel services, arranged in advance, which includes at least transport and accommodation or one of these and some other essential tourism service.

    Accommodation in means of transport, in combination with transport only, is not a package tour. Package travel may or may not cover breakfast, journey from airport to accomodation, sightseeing, etc.

Principal mode of transport used

Definition:

The principal mode of transport used is the means of transport used for the longest part of the trip.

The transport types include as follows:

Air

This includes:

Sea

This includes:

Land
Railway

This includes: high speed train, other interurban railway (CPA 60.10.11, CPA 60.10.12), urban railway, underground (CPA 60.21.10).

Bus, coach (regular, tourist)

This includes:

Private and hired vehicles

This includes:

Other

This includes:

Main type of accommodation used for tourism

Definition:

The main means of accommodation used is the type of accommodation where most nights are spent.

For definition of tourist accommodation types, see point 1.1.

2.2.3. Data on the tourist profile
Number of tourists by sex

The Directive requires only the number of overnight visitors by sex, but generally this can be connected to any characteristic of the trip made by the visitor.

Number of tourists by age

Actual age or year of birth should be recorded. If possible, the ages of all the members of the tourism trip should be recorded.

2.2.4. Data on tourist spending
Spending (national currency) for tourist trips

Definition:

The total consumption expenditure made by a visitor or on behalf of a visitor for and during his/her trip and stay at destination.

Expenditure is one of the characteristics of a trip but can be accumulated also on a personal and country level. Dividing expenditure by duration of trip, average daily expenditure can be calculated. Tourism expenditure encompasses a wide variety of items, ranging from the purchase of consumer goods and services inherent in travel and stays to the purchase of small durable goods for personal use, souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. The following outlays or acquisitions should be excluded from tourism expenditure (nevertheless they may be asked in the surveys for other purposes):

(i)

Purchases for commercial purposes, that is, resale, made by any category of visitor and purchases made on behalf of their employer by visitors on business trips.

(ii)

Capital type investments or transactions engaged in by visitors, such as land, housing, real estate, works of art and other important acquisitions (such as cars, caravans, boats, second houses) even though they may be used in the future for tourism travel purposes.

(iii)

Cash given to relatives or friends during the trip which does not represent payment of tourism goods or services, as well as donations made to institutions.

The types of spending include as follows:

Journeys, holidays, and package travel

This includes:

Accommodation

(with food where included in price of accommodation, full/half board may also be separated)

Food and drinks

(distinguishable from accommodation; in restaurants, cafes, bars, minibar, etc.; including retail trade)

This includes: drinks, meals, snacks

Transport

This includes:

Recreational, cultural and sporting activities

This includes:

Shopping

This includes:

Other expenses

This includes:

The Directive requires information on total spending for tourist trips, and of which spending on ‘journeys, holidays and package travel’.