Setting out to strengthen its tourism data system, Seychelles on Monday became the first African country to fully launch its Tourism Satellite Account (TSA).
Tourism satellite accounts are the definitive way to measure
the economic impact of tourism in a destination. Over the last 20 years, they
have been implemented in many destinations around the world to find out exactly
what tourism contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP).
During his presentation at the launching ceremony, a tourism
statistics expert from UNWTO, Kevin Willington, outlined that Seychelles' TSA
shows that tourism directly contributes 16.5 percent to its GDP.
"The 16.5 percent contribution to GDP is a very
significant amount and it is very important for Seychelles. In most countries,
this figure is considerably lower than 16.5 percent. For example, in the UK
where tourism is important, it contributes only 3.8 percent. We have to
remember that the economy is very large and there are a lot of other things
going on," said Willington.
He explained that the TSA measures direct contribution,
which is what tourists spend directly with businesses in Seychelles. Indirect
contributions are not taken into account.
The main concept behind the TSA is to reconcile tourism
demand with supply.
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) project for
Seychelles started in 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of this
month.
An extension of the national accounts, the Tourism Satellite
Account is compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
"At NBS we have an array of publications that we
compile and publish each year, and the Tourism Satellite Accounts will become
an additional publication that focuses directly on tourism. It will really
target this sector and stakeholders in the sector who require more precise
information to make a decision," said NBS' CEO, Laura Ahtime.
She said there are talks about a Fisheries Satellite Account
and it is something that is becoming quite popular.
"All satellite accounts are specialised areas where you
need really good data, and we have to establish these contacts. The Fisheries
Satellite Account is one, there is also the Environment Satellite Account and
they are all accounts that the United Nations are encouraging countries to
compile and they develop the methodologies and classification and how to carry
it out," shared Ahtime.
The UNWTO Director at the Regional Department for Africa,
Elcia Grandcourt, who is from Seychelles, said that strengthening the tourism
statistics system is anchored as a core priority in the 'UNWTO Agenda for
Africa - Tourism for Inclusive Growth.'
"Today a Tourism Satellite Account remains one of the
top priority requests we receive from member states across Africa. We are
pleased for the milestone achieved by Seychelles with the launch of its TSA,
which will serve as an example for other members in the region," she
added.
Tourism is the top contributor to the economy of Seychelles,
a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, followed by fisheries.
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