Members of the Regional Statistics Committee (RSC) were trained on determining the region’s systems of national and tourism satellite accounts (TSA) and on emerging tools in measuring sustainable tourism (MST) on March 15-17, 2022.
The training was timely as the tourism industry is getting its groove back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as these tools are necessary in determining the sector contribution to the regional economy.
Gerald Junne L. Clariño, Chief Statistical Specialist of the Philippine Statistics Committee (PSA), explained that TSA analyze all the aspects of demand for goods and services associated with the tourists’ activities. Tourism expenditures are derived from services on accommodation, food and beverage, transport, travel agencies, entertainment, among others.
He said, “we need science to measure the country’s overall economic performance through economic accounting, which includes the TSA”.
Meanwhile, the MST is a call for action to sustainability principles. It takes full account of current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.
PSA Statistics specialists, Angelica E. Samartino and Precious Joy B. Pagulayan, said, “while tourism contributes significantly to the overall economy, it, however, contributes to irreversible damage to the environment”.
In 2020, the region’s total tourism expenditure was P1,959.2 million. Transportation services accounted for 32 percent while entertainment and recreation services suffered the most, accounting for 6 percent of the total tourism expenditure.
Most tourists continued to visit Baguio City spending a total of P 1,593 million. This accounted for more than four-fifths (81 %) of the region’s tourism expenditure. Hence, it could be said that tourism highly contributed to the City’s income.
At the national level, the MST-related indicators are water and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions generated in tourism industries, land use, ecosystem condition and services for tourism-related areas, and wildlife in protected areas and parks.
As part of the training, the participants were expected to come up with regional MST data. Gerry Beltran, General Manager of Albergo Hotel, committed to support this undertaking in behalf of the Baguio Tourism Council.
The RSC is a support committee of the Cordillera Regional Development Council-CAR. NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling serves as the Committee Chair.
By Virginia L. Anceno
