Collection of tourism statistics in Africa

UNITED NATIONS

ECONOMIC and SOCIAL COUNCIL

Distr.

LIMITED

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

13 September 1971 Original: ENGLISH

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ECONOMIC COlftI SSI ON FOR AFRICA

COLLECTION OF TOUBISM STATISTICS IN AFRICA

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION - -v ---

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ____-_-

TOURIST STATISTICS IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES - - COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND PUBLICATION

OF FRONTIER CHECK STATISTICS - - - - -

DEFINITIONS ADOPTED ---

POINTS OF RECORDING AND CLASSIFICATION OF DATA

HOTEL STATISTICS ---

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STATISTICS --- OTHER STATISTICS AND SAMPLE SURVEYS -

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Paragraphs

1-12 13 - 17 18 - 19

20 - 22 23 - 33

34 - 38

39 - 50

51 - 55

56 - 58

ANNEX

I Questionnaire on Collecting Tourism Statistics

II Information on Statistics of Individual Countries

M71-2215

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

INTRODUCTION

1. The ra,pid growth of international tourism in the world and the strong

foothold it has already gained"-in Africa--indicate that African countries'

which first availed themselves of the rising opportunities in tourism-can advance further along the same path* Even the countries which for historical or geographical'reasons were slow in developing their natural resources for tourist purposes can now seriously consider doing so, to catch up with the more developed tourist countries.

2. In this rapidly changing world, tourism is subject to the influence of strong international forces which can open up undreamed-of possibilities for tourism development, and thus accelerate the overall economic growth of a number of African countries. On the other hand aggregate tourist invest ments in many tourist-receiving countries can create over-capacity, unemploy ment of trained personnel and general waste of scarce resources*

.3. The international and still more the inter-continental character of '

tourism moans that new tourist facilities cannot be successfully developed in the old-fashioned, empirical way, by simply imitating what others have successfully done before. Successful development under rapidly changing conditions requires a bold and independent approach.which has to be based on accurate knowledge of a wide range of facts.

4.. ■ Because of the rapidly growing share of tourism in the economy of a very large number of countries, a sound tourist-promoting policy would operate not only in the interest of the countries considering it, but would also be of great "significance for other countries and the world as a whole. This has now been iridely recognized* and the creation of the *:orld Tourism Organiza

tion should make "it possible to -assemble on a world scale basic tourism data

which will enable economic, planners 'to make a reliable and accurate assess

ment of both the demand and the offer of tourist attractions, facilities and services similar to those' in their own country. A basic condition for the success of :this- work is the availability of reliable ana comparable statistics

on tourism. The UN/iUOTO Conference on International Travel and Tourism, 1963 in Home, the adoption by the UN Statistical Commission of the recommenda tions oh International Travel Statistics, E/CN.3/385 of 6 December 1967, the

preparatory work of UNCTAD- on a Manual of Tourism Statistics and the untiring

efforts of the International Union of Official Travel Organizations IUOTO have cleared the ground for universal acceptance of modern, uniform statistics on

tourism. . ..■•:. .

5. \If the sound, principles formulated repeatedly at such high levels have not been universally.applied in■actual practice,'this can be explained not only by the reluctance to break up the existing statistical series but also by an exaggerated apprehension of the difficulties' which the required modifica tions of the system might entail. As can be seen from the following pages most of the African countries do not yet have statistical series continued over a Ions period of years and the changes necessary to make these statistics conform to the UN/iUOTO recommendations should not cause serious inconvenience

since they can be carried out at little cost.

E/CN.14/T11ANS/47

Page 2

6. However, for countries without any statistics on tourism, or whose

statistics are only rudimentary,' it will pay to have a modern system of statistics at an early stage. If such a system has not yet been introduced, it is usually because this :is considered much more difficult than is in fact the cafee.

7-" Africa is a late-comer into the great society of tourist-receiving coun tries, and for'this reason, has many advantages over older tourist regions;

African countries can avail themselves of the"experience of other countries, avoid costly mistakes and,from the very outset, chooce the most recent methods

and the right solutions. ■

8. ■' It is well known that development of tourism .depends on. a number of con

ditions involving demand in tourist markets, international' transport arid

various factors in the tourist-receiving countries (infrastructure, accommoda

tion facilities, price level,' tourist services, entertainment, shopping, protec tion of tourist attractions, simplification of administrative formalities,

travel promotion, professional' training etc.)* Because of the complex character

of modern tourism, co-ordination of all relevant factors is essential for

successful development.

9. In coimtries with traditional and slowly-growing tourism this co-ordina

tion taken place almost spontaneously. New ventures are not large enough'compared with the existing facilities seriously to upset the balance which is soon

re-established by other initiatives. Also, most of the new plant can utilize the existing infrastructure. In countries, however, where tourism is. new or fast developing the co-ordination of various factors does not take place automatically. Serious hindrances may1 slow down development and various dis proportions may occur, bottlenecks in some services and insufficient utiliza

tion of existing facilities in others. Therefore, co-ordination by the govern

ment body responsible for tourism is very useful, and it is best achieved through a, well-balanced tourism development programme. Such a programme has ' to be based on a realistic assessment of the existing potentialities, and this requires a quantitative analysis of relevant facts.' This cannot be done without a reasonably complete system of statistics on tourism.

10. It should be noted, however, that such statistics are rather simple to

establish. Immigration and police regulations, exchange control, etc-, already

require information from travellers and the trade. It is only a question of utilizing the existing data for statistical purposes. This requires good orga nization, but once this has been set up, the entire wcrk can be done by a small

clerical staff under the supervision of a trained statistician. It is"possible

to switch a few employees to this work and this will hardly entail additional

expense. Setting up the statistics might require technical assistance. This

however need be of only short duration; two to three weeks would be sufficient

and such technical assistance can be easily provided from several sources.

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page 3

11- The aim of this survey is to give an overall picture of existing sta tistics on tourism in African countries. It shows what statistics exist in individual,countries, how efficiently the system operates and how it differs from the .'principles recommended by .UN and IUOTO. . ;0n the basis of this

analysis, concrete recommendations are made,as.to.how to bring them into ^ line.with.internationally accepted principles. ... . .

(;-■■■ ■ ■ -

12. For countries without statistics on tourism, the recommendation is simple, They ,should introduce statistics as recommended by.the UN Statistical Com-* ,

missionJ' However, some priorities.have to be stated and.some choices made,

and this .survey"should help, in malfing..the right decisions. Finally,' a few'...

practical, suggestions are made regarding follow-up action by International.

Organizations ^interested in tourism'to. ensure compliance with the principl.es

enunciated. "■"' ' ...

-oj- J■■-.;- .; . ■

E/CN.14/TI1ANS/4?

Page 4

SOURCES OP INFORMATION

13. The system.of .statistics on tourism in the East African Community have been recently reviewed by the East African Community Secretariat and the

report produced (Tourism Statistics, July 1970') provides up-to-date answers

to all questions included in this paper. It was not therefore, necessary

to ■■ survey its member countries again, (Kenya, , Tanzania; .Uganda).

14* Thirty-six other African countries were surveyed by sending out in May 1971 questionnaires on statistics in.tourism to their National Tourist Office or to the Ministry responsible.for tourism. The questionnaires were sent.again in July 1971 to the same addresses to those countries which did not reply. Of the 36 countries contacted only 16 sent in replies that were

worthwhile (see Table 1).

Table 1 : Questionnaires sent and Answers

North Africa Eastern Africa Central Africa West Africa

Questionnaires sent May

6 10 '

6 14

received

Follow up July

3 8 4 11

Replies received

3 4 3 6

Total 36 26 16

15. Information on tourist statistics in countries which did not reply was obtained from the files of the EGA secretariat, including earlier statistics dispatched to the secretariat by the member countries, as well as papers pre pared by the ECA secretariat on tourism in some member countries and the ECA

studies published on tourism in different sub-regions (North Africa, Eastern Africa and Central Africa). In addition, the UN/African Development Bank

Study "Tourism in Western Africa" has been used as source of information on tourist statistics in West African countries-

16. The countries which were not requested to provide information, (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) and some of the countries which were requested but did not reply (Algeria, UAR), publish well-jexplained and well-edited tourist

statistics from which most of the points raised in the questionnaires could be dealt with.

17. It should be noted, however, that some of the available information may no longer be up-to-date, whereas a recently completed questionnaire would have reported the up-to-date situation.

E/CN.14/'i1KAVj"S/4Y

Page 5

TOURIST STATISTICS IN AFRICAN CCUNTKiES

18. This survey includes only statistics which can be regarded as strictly tourist statistics, other statistics of importance for tourism but which interest primarily other activities have not been included, such as Meteoro logical data and Air Transport statistics. There is a regular compilation -of meteorological data available as v/ell as'air transport"statistics. Neverthe

less-* it would be of considerable interest for tourism if airport statistics on landing passengers and aircraft, and departing passengers and aircraft were

also broken down by scheduled and non-scheduled (charter) flights in addition

to the present distinction between international and domestic flight. Although for mos'j African countries charter flights- are not yet of great importance, for Africa as a whole this distinction is very important, particularly as the existing statistics of non-scheduled flights in the world are very inadequate.

19* Of the 40 countries surveyed (see Table 2 ) 26 have frontier check sta

tistics, 21 hotel statistics, 1.7 foreign, exchange earnings .statistics or

estimates, and 9 have undertaken sample surveys or have other types of tourist statistics. For many countries no information ..has been, available as to the. . ■ particular type of statistics they have managed to collect. In such cases it is safe to assume that the statistics required are non-existent.

Table. 2 :

North Africa Algeria Libya Morocco Sudan Tunisia UAH

Tourist statistics No. of countries

6

in African1

F.C *S.

6

yes . yes yes

yes

yes

yes

F.CeS. = Frontier check statistics

countries Pub

lished since

1964

1963 1962 N.A.

1961

1954

ii.rj.

4

yes

yes

1/

-

res

3res

F.E.S.

4 NoA.

yes

yes

yes-'

yes

1/

,o.s.

3 N.A.

-

yes

-

yes

yes

U.S. = Hotel statistics

F.E«S» = Foreign exchange statistics O.S. = Other statistics.

l/ Only incomplete data are available

2/ The data, however, are not available

E/CH.14/TRANS/47

Page 6

Table 2 : (Cont'd)

No. of countries Central Africa 6

Cameroon

• Central African

" Hopublic

Chad • • ; ■ ■

-Congo (Dem. Rep.) v Congo (Popular Rep.)

■ G.Vbon

Eastern Africa 14 Botswana

Eurundi Ethiopia Kenya Lesotho

Madagascar., . . . .._..

Malawi.

Mauritius Rwanda Somalia Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia

P.C.S.

3 ,

yes

-

■ ■ yes yes

yes

8 ■ ;

yes

yes .. .;,

yes

■ \ -

■ ... T

yes

yes

-

-

N.A:,

■ yes

yes yes

Pub-. . lished' since.

1971

N.A. .;

I960 N.A.'

N.A.

>1963 ■ .

"1968

1970 1969

1968

1967'

1968

H.S.

3

yes

: ' —'

4/

1

yes

yes •■

- 6

■ - yes yes

yes

-

-

yes

-

N.A.

yes

yes

■-

F.E.S.

1

-

N.A.

yes

yes--'

8

yes yes

yes

-

. -

yes yes

-

_

N.A.

yes -

yes yes

O.S."

-

_ ■

-

■- N.A.

_f'' ■

3 ;

-

N.A. ■

yes

-

-

-

-

N6A.

yes yes

N.A.

3/ Estimation on the basis of daily expenditure and number of nights

4/ They are not published.

,E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page 7

Table 2 : (Cont'd)

West Africa- . ,

Dahomey. . . , Gambia:;

Ghana

Guinea l

Ivory Coast, , Liberia- ; :

Mali \, ■■ ..,1-i..

Mauritania Nicer . .

■*■■ -^O w ■"*

Nigeria ' '' ■ :;

Senegal. .... .. - . ^ Sierra Leorie' ' Togo > . ■ • Upper Volt a Total "■• ■■■-■ ■ ■ ■ ■

No. of

■countries.

'-. .14 ■'•

I . ' ' '■ r

: ' ' '"■"■;'

■ '■':

-■■-■■.40 ■:

: F .G • S .

':■ 7"

- yes' ..

■: ;:: —■

yes

N.A.

■'■ yes;:-

-■:■/ ii: ; ;■

■■■ yes

■:■.-' ^y.es' -.

:T>.:yes' ■

... .-.

"■yes- ' '■- -26- f

Pub lished since. .

'. .1964 :...

' 1969

....

■ -N.A.

■I, "1966"" /

1961

"- 1970

■N.A. •'•■•

N.A.

■;■!■■ -■■■.- ;■..-

h.s;

; -6 yes"

:■" 2/'

_yes-'

H.A.

yes--'

. yes-'

.yes"

-

~ ' r

yoS5/-

: 21

F.E.S.

2 ■

N.A.

.-yes':

N.A.

N.A.

■■• N.A.

. . N.A.

- -

—

■ N.A.

■ ■ Yee-

■■_ ■ ■

-

yes

■- 17

0..S.

.2

-

N-.A. •"

yes '..

N.A.

N.A. "

N.A.-

NJA. '"

- .-" ■:

_

N.A. *•

yes^

- ' •

-

' yes -

- '9 :

l/'Only in the-Capital City. .,. - f .. . - . . ., :, .... , .;.

2/ For the"StateliDwned hotels only '■' ■•"■■■■ ' ■ ■■

4/ Assembled by the Association: of, Travel Agents on clients 5/ For one hotel only.

N.A. = Information not available. ■

E/CN.14/TRAHS/47

Page 8 ....

COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND PUBLICATION OP FRONTIER CHECK STATISTICS

20. In Table 3 information is given on collection, processing and publica tion of frontier check statistics. In 25 of the 26 African countries with frontier'check statistics, the Immigration Service collects" the necessary data. " The same service processes data in 4 countries, while in 15 countries data processing is done by the central statistical office and in 4 countries by the Government body responsible for tourism. No information is available for three countries.

21. In 14 countries frontier check statistics are published by the central statistical office and in 9 countries by the Government body responsible for tourism. In four countries these statistics, though collected, are not

published. In two or rather three of them processing is done by the Immigra- tion Service and the inclination is obviously to treat statistical data of general interest as confidential immigration records. It is therefore more appropriate that the central statistical office should process immigration data for statistical purposes. It has the know-how, trained personnel and equipment for processing the data and in most African countries the central statistical office is doing this job efficiently. 'In some countries however the central statistical office either does not attach great importance to

tourism statistics or is considerably behind schedule with its entire programme and, as a result, the figures or tourist statistics are published with con siderable delay, thereby losing much of their usefulness. On the other hand, in countries like Morocoo and Tunisia where the Government body in charge of tourism processes frontier data,. the statistics appear.shortly after the report ing period. It should be noted, however, that both countries have a developed tourist system and a well staffed tourist administration. In countries with a smaller number of tourists, the administration in cliarge of tourism is less }ikely to have trained personnel and ecjuipment for the rapid processing of statistical data and, in principle, the central statistical office should do this job more economically and better. If, however, the central statistical office i3 overburdened with other tasks and cannot guarantee tourist data processing on time, the administrative body in charge of tourism may be

tempted to tackle this task with its own forces. Even when the tourist admi- nistration has the necessary staff, it may be more economical to switch this staff and the corresponding budgetary credits to the central statistical office which could then take over this task. In the setting up of such statistics, however, the tourist administration should certainly have much to say, and it

could use its influence in order to have the UN/lUOTO recommendations accepted.

It is also useful for the tourist administration to show a vivid and continuous interest in the timely production of tourist statistics. . 22i More information is given in annex II on individual countries, including for most of the countries the addresses of the agencies from which statistics can be obtained.

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page,9

Table 3 : Collection, Processing and Publication of Frontier Check Statistics

Sub-region

Country

Collected

Immigra;-

... ... .tip.n...au—. . ...

thority Other

Processed Published

Central Immigra— statis- _tion.,au- . tical.- ..

Central statis-

tical - Tourist thority office Other office office.

Ncri;h' Af rica ' Algeria Libya

Morocco

Sudan Tunisia

UAR

yes

yes

yes

yes yes

yes

Central Africa Cameroon

Congo .(Dem.Rep.) Congo (Pop.Rep. )

Gabon

Ears!:era Africa Burundi^

Ethiopia Kenya Malawi Mauritius Tanzania Uganda Zambia

yes yes yes

yes

yes yes

yes yes yes yes yes yes

yes

yes

yes

N.A.

yes

N.A.

yes

N.A.

yes

N.A.

yes

yes

yes yes yes yes yes

Board "

of Tou rism Min. of Tourism

Office of Tou rism

yes

yes'

/■yes "

Not published

yes

N.A.

N.A,

Not

-

yes

—

Not

yes

yes

yes yes

yes yes yes

published

yes

yes yes

published

-

-

-

-

-

-

—

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page 10

Tablo 3 : (Cont'd)

Sub-region

Country West Africa'

Dahomey Ghana Liberia Mali

Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Upper Volta Total

t

Collected

immigra

tion au thority

yes yes ■

N.A, - '■-

yes yes yes

■ yes

25

Other

-

N.A.

Tourist office

-

-

-

-

1

Immigra tion au thority

-

-

N.A,

—

-

-

-

4

Processed Central statis— ■ tical office

yes

yes

N.A,

—

yes yes

yes yes

15

Other

—

- .

N.A.

Tourist office

—

-

-

-

Central statis tical office

yes yes

yes

__

yes

yes yes

Not

14

Published

Tourist office ■

—

_

yes

_

_ .

_

published 9

«

E/CN.14/TRNAS/47

Page 11

DEFINITIONS■ADOPTED

23. It ban "be..'concluded from the information obtained that in mos.t of the

tourist administrations (ministries, commissariats, offices, etc.) the,

personnel dealing with tourist statistics'are concerned mainly with the

figures of temporary visitors as..distinct from residents and immigrants, .. ' . and obviously they are less interested in the definitions of the latter two . categories. However, for the better understanding of.the problems involved, tourist officers.wouid.benefit from" being acquainted with the definitions of each category of' incoming or.outgo-ing passengers as the. case may be, . Only accurate knowledge of the .exist-Lhg. regulations concerning all the cate- .'/., ..

gories of passengers recognized .by such regulations will enable them to

discuss the pro'blems with immigration.officers and make them accept the re-.,. ;, .'.

commendations of!the UN/IUOTO Conference on International Travel and Tourism V

in Rome and', in particular, the following.definitions: . " .:'.':

Resident^: .('nationals arid aliens )'~returning after a stay abroad not exceed-'., ' ■ ' ing one'year. ~ " ' ' " ' ' ' " ' ' "■'- ''''' / ' ... . ' ■,.'." ,.-;

Permanent immigrants: (non—resident —.nationals and aliens — intending to ; .■

remain for aJ?eri6d.exceeding one'year). .. ' . '.'. •»-!-.,, Temporary' immigrants'::" (non-residents intending to exercise for'a period of .. , : one year or less an occupation remunerated from within the country).

Dependents'!.of "temporary immigrants ",'. ■ . . ....'. ■■,..,.,'_■

Visitors: /'Por^statistical purposes, the term "visitor" describes any person . .

visiting a'.country'other than that in'which!he has his usuai." place of residence,',

for any reason .'other than, following an occupation remunerated within the country . visited1.'" l- •'■■••'■"•■' _ _ ■ ■ ... . ._.■';.'■

Tourists: Visitors, who stay overnight "or,,over 24 hpurs,in.the country visited.

Day'visitors;'.Visitors' on-day.excursions and other border-crossers for purpose other than employment, cruise passengers and visitors in transit who do not,stay

overnight-in accbrnmodaiion provided within the country. ■ ... ....'■- Residents: (national and aliens).,.returning after a stay abroad'not exceeding" . one' year. .'...,'. ■■,'.;. . ■ . ■ .... ' .

■'•■■■"•■ ' ■ ■ ,

Foreign diplomatic and military personnel: stationed in the country.

\ ...

24» In the,'following text, however, we shall concentrate mainly on foreign

visitors- Of the 26,countries'.in Table 4' which have frontier, check statistics,!

six did not provide information oh the definitions adopted, but in two of these

they could'be deducted',! from other, data.J In some other ..countries the definitions

given were far from complete or, accurate. Of the 24 countries for which we have

information only .'6 have- completely adopted:_. "the definitions recommended by the

Page 12

Conference of Rome; 6 have adopted their principles with some exoeptions and 12 among them most of the Eastern African countries, have based their defini tions on formal criteria- At first sight this may not seem encouraging since the latter countries have, a long tourist tradition and their, statistics had been introduced a long time ago. Upon closer examination, however, optimism would be justified. The most important tourist countries of the East African Sub-region have recently (1967 and 1969) shifted their-coverage of tourist : data to include large categories of passengers who were not recorded before.

The long older.series have been discontinued and new ones started instead.

Thus the adoption of the Rome definitions would cause much less description - . than is generally believed, and a similar situation e:d.sts in other African

countries which have not yet adopted the UN/lUOTO recommendation. In most of these countries the definitions are based on formal criteria, namely the kind of document issued to the passenger in question (passport, permanent residence permit, temporary residence permit, special visa requested for obtaining, such permits, visitors! visa, transit visa, etc.)- These papers sort passengers into nationals as distinct from aliens, residents, permanent and temporary immigrants as distinct from temporary visitors, transit passengers as distinct

from visitors or tourists.

25. It was not possible in the scope of this survey to look into all the govern ment regulations on one sort of visa issued to whom, but when the categoriesV of holders of various visas or similar documents are identified they -will not vdiffer very ,much, from the. UN/lUOTO categories.. : :• , .

26. The most frequent differences concern temporary immigrants as distinct from visitors, and transit passengers as distinct from visitors (tourists). ' 27. In some countries, residence permits cannot be issued unless-the alien in question has been provided with a.special ("entry") visa which can ;be issued; ' only by diplomatic or consular representatives abroad (but not at the entry point into the country). Thus, temporary immigrants will seldom be mistaken for visitors in IUOTO terms. In other countries a holder of a visitor's visa can later obtain a residenoe permit, and is thus recognized as an immigrant in' IUOTO terms. Since the Immigration authority decides on such permits, a record of permits given to those who have entered the country on a visitor's visa, makes it possible to rectify the figures obtained at the frontier, so that

visitors can be distinguished from the temporary immigrants.

28. From such a situation it is only, a step to the.adoption of UN/lUOTO defini tions, which allow the categorisations to be done on the basis of entry cards "

filled in by passengers.

29. Another divergency exists in the definition of transit passengers. The countries v/hich have not adopted the UN/lUOTO definition of day "visitors"

record as transit passengers the-holders of a transit visa. This,however may allow a stay in the country of 3 to 30 days at most according to the country, and in view, of ;.the rapid development of mobile tourism, with tourists visiting a number of opuntries on a single tour, many of the transit passengers are de facto, the hard core.-.of sightseeing tourists, travelling for vacation and

pleasure and requiring tourist servioes and facilities to which they are accustomed.

Page 13

Of such :t trans it passengers" those who spend at least one night ;:l;n ."che visited could be classified as "visitors" or "tdufi's'ts~:i. ~"

30. The most relevant argument against formal criteria nowadays applied ./in-. ; some African countries is'the":impehdihg^abolition of visa requirements and of visitors, .add tourist passes for passengers from a rapidly growing number of

countries. The passes stamped in a hurry by the immigration officers on the-.^

passipbrt and entry, cards, .are..less, .reliable- for. .statistical-purposes- ifean- the declaration on the entry card made by the passenger himself. Very often it is.

Obvious that no checking whatever is necessary for security reasons., Neverthe less, the .immigration officer for statistical reasons, has to control eac'ir'and' every answer to the questionnaire. Imagine a batch of elderly ladies and a few £eir:;ler.-;s:i of the sams age arriving at Nairobi airport on a charter b^ar by.

DC 3> Processing of such passengers would be much faster if the passport or entry card only had to be stamped by the immigration officer instead'of his

meticulous checking 'of the replies to some 10 to 20.different questions on ' the entry cards.

31o It is therefore appropriate to base the statistics on the s^tements' irad'e"

by the traveller himself on the character of hie trip along the lines defined at the conference of Rome.

32* In some countries nevr categories of passengers would have to be introduced,

such as day passengers or excursionists. There are countries wher** su::h travel

ers are practically nonexistent (EthiopiaT Madagascar, Somalia, Central African

Republic, eto. ); in other countries they are of little consequence ana it will, hardly matter if such categories are dispensed with "in countries where they apply to only a few passengers..

33= The covmtries which are about to introduce frontier check s-fcatis.bi'CG would.'

greatly benefit from introducing uniform modem statistics right from""the begin

ning, by accepting"the definitions recommended in Rome.

E/CN.14/TUAKS/47

Page 14

Table 4 : Definitions of Visitors

Sub-regions

Country Definition

comrauriicated

_In accordance with UH/lUQTO Based on

Only in principle, different with some e::cep- principles

Entirely tions or criteria

North Africa Algeria

Libya Morocco Sudan

Tunisia

UAR \

Central Africa Cameroon

Congo (Dem.- Rep. ) Congo (Pop. Rep. ).

Gabon

Eastern Africa Burundi

Ethiopia Kenya Malawi Mauritius Uganda Tanzania Zambia

yes .

yes yes

-

yes yes

yes

—

-

yes

-

yes

yes yes

yes

yes yes yes

-

yes

yes

■

yes

yes

—

—

—

-

-

-

—

—

-

—

Yes, except for transit passengers

Yes, except for transit passengers

yes

yes

yes

u

Yes, except for transit passengers

-

-

-

—

—

yes

yes

yes

yes yes yes yes

Vc

2

1/ The new statistics to be introduced soon will be based on IUOTO definitions.

E/CN-14/TRANS/47

Page 15

Table 4 : (Cont'd)

Sub-regions

Country West Africa

Dahomey ,■■ .

Ghana Liberia .

Mali '■■ .-;■■■

Nigeria ■- Senegal

Sierra Leone■

Upper Volta.

Total 26

; •... ■•.:.-

Definition ",' ' ■" communicated''

■ -. • yes - - ■

■ -,. ■■■ yes ■ ■■ -....-

■ .: ■.-.■.. .■,-. yes; ■ • ■;■ ■;

■ .■■..:..■ yes ■,■■.,-■. ■

20

...■-'■ . ■'■

-

7 In accordance with UJl/lUOTO

; ' ' ' Only.in principle,

■ with some excep-.

Entirely ' tions , .

- - .:. YeSi except for some distinctions

-

:;:■..yes -■■:■ .■■•-.-

■ " -: ■ 'Yes, with'fewer

; categories

--.; :^es v'-- ::'::" ■■."■■■ '■.- >:

6 6

! ■-., . =■ ■ *: ■■■■ ••. •.- ■:,■•..

Based on different principles or criteria

yes

yes

. • - -■ ■.-.■ ■

*-■■■■

E/CN.14/TRAITS/47

Page 16

POINTS ON RECORDING.AND CLASSIFICATION OF DATA

34- In 26 countries with frontier check statistics, data are recorded upon

entry into the country and iri 6- countries both at the entry and'exit. In several countries which collect statistics at entry, some data, such as the intended length of stay refer to the exit as well. The preference for re cording arrivals, into the country comes from the primary concentration of the immigration authorities on the incoming passengers. Such data are also available earlier. On the other hand, information on the length of stay and on the amount spent in the.country, is more reliable when derived from the departing passengers. ■, -.

35* In 23 countries, the arrivals or departures are classified by month.

In 5 countries the visitors are broken- down both by country of permanent residence and by nationality. In 6 countries visitors are broken down only

by country of permanent residence and in 12 countries only by nationality.

Prom the economic point of view, the country of residence is much more im portant than the country of nationality as it is on this that the flow of

international transport, the requirement of accommodation facilities and

various services in the country visited depend. If the effectiveness of travel promotion on overseas markets is to be evaluated, this has to be based on the number of persons who come, from such countries and not on the number of their national liye_in a neighbouring African ;

countryw . "" "* ■■■-■■■-- ■"

36. While 19 countries make a distinction between the means of transport used /air, sea,land/, in respect of air transport a further distinction could be useful in some countries namely between the passengers who come by scheduled

flight and the passengers who come by non—scheduled flight. This would require

only that the landing cards be stamped "Non-Scheduled:f which can hardly present

an inconvenience.

37- It should be noted that the request on landing cards for data such as

country of permanent residence, intended length of stay, purpose of visit etc.,

does not inconvenience the passenger who can reply promptly without further

reference., It is the immigration questions which are more difficult to answer

such as date of issuance of passport, day of expiry of passport, by whom has the

visa been issued, on what date, under which number etc. If the passenger is queueing in front of the immigration counter with plenty of hand baggage, look

ing in his passport for the answers may be quite inconvenient, and this is where the simplification of entry and exit cards is to be sought.

E/CN.I4/TRAKS/47

Page 17

38. In countries of western Europe, the frontier formalities have been reduced

to the extent'that even entry and exit cards are not recjuired any longer;. To introduce them for statistical purpose is hardly justified. In Africa, all countries require entry and exit cards from alien passengers arriving by air and by sea, with only a few exceptions, and it is not likely that this formality will be waived in the foreseeable.future. It is a waste, of, this precious

material if it is not statistically processed and published, in such a way as to give all the necessary data which can be drawn from it. Countries which are

at'an early.stage of their tourist development, or whose tourism is rapidly

undergoing radical changes in its volume and pattern,'. just cannot affordjto grope in the dark when with a minimum effort they can: obtain very important ;\data

for successful planning of tourism development. It is to be hoped, -therefore,

that the countries which do not have frontier check statistics yet will!soon' introduce them and those who already have will make a;few adjustments to!them in order to make them internationally comparable* ...

Table 5 : Frontier check statistics points of recording and classification of data

Sub-Region Country NorthAfrica Algeria Libya Morocco Sudan Tunisia UAR CentralAfrica Cameroon Congo(Dem.Rep.) Congo(Pop.Rep.) Gabon EasternAfrica Burundi Ethiopia Kenya Malaui Mauritius Tanzania Uganda Zambir.■

Data

Enti

y r -_ : X -,- :: zz N.A. X

■p ■H N.A, x x X X X

■p a X X X X X X

1/

O-P0) J-ica) +>dfl PhM O<D0) OftU

\J In the new statistics to.be introduced shortly 2^ Expenditure from departing- visitors 3/ Prom departing visitors. 9,

X- Xs X X X X

-P •H i-i n) ci _{o ■H •P} nJ.

1/

De.ta-brokendownToy: o

o ft

COM

§ 9

N.A.

O t-303

1/

X- Xs X X X

O 0) 01 O+1 ft-H f-tCO

i/

X X X X X

03 Xi -P o

a

Table5':(Cont'd) Sub-Region•'. Country'"':'..-.,"' jestAfrica-"":;«.■\ Dahomey- Ghana'.' Liberia--'■■-■.;'

Mali 'I f.; '} i' "'},

Nigeria;':'■-.-i'*.~-"■■ Senegal'_'/■;■"::i"-:-;r;> SierraLeone'■•■'".i> UpperVolta:■v:;--^

26 e :.; r. t r;;: .T

:.Datareferred.to:. x. .X ■'x-■ .■Xw '■■■x- ■''■■y~..■

.:■ '; 25':: Exit'.■

.x'. X X■:.■.■■■"- ■■xi■"

13- :■ "

■.,--'.■":■Data1brokendownby:-■:'.. -p■. ■a'• o, e: 'x x. -x'<: x.:;-'.o+>'ib. ':.''flOT. '■:^rt0'■/ --P<B-d... CE-H■ ■-■?fnto. O00 'q.ft^.-: ■"'X'''" ■'■--■'.."(■■

Nationality

^{.■'■-x■ x'.-.; :':■:r.x■'" x•'■:•}

^{r- .i;- ;i8v'}

^{o:o■ "■■■■ft. 'Ciji"t\j.' x■■ x■■}

^{:• :•: 19- ■}

^{"_o':-i_; ■}"p'.:s- ''<D+=■",' ■X;-. ■-I4-

Purpose"of-r visit....

^{X. •'=;x■>'"' ■x■-•■■; x 150 0 2}

"'■\-'

E/CH.14/TRAKS/47

Page 20

HOTEL STATISTICS

39. Of the 40 African countries surveyed only 21 have hotel statistics.

Among the countries which have country-wide hotel statistics, some are important tourist countries such "as Morocco and the UAlt. In some otHer.

countries, like Uganda, such statistics have only recently been well organized and extended to all hotels and lodges. •' : '■

40. The technical and manpower requirements for introducing such statistics are well within the possibilities of either the tourist administration or of the central statistical office in each country but there is often strong opposition to such statistics from the hotel industry itself. Lip service is often paid by hotel people to the idea of introducing such statistics, but somehow the decisions are delayed and the promised co-operation of the trade is not forthcoming. There.are several reasons for such an attitude.

It is feared that the hotel statistics may turn into a tool of government control of the volume of sales for taxation purposes. In some countries with hotel scarcity in the capital city, the existing hotels are doing good business, although hotel owners may complain in public. The revelation of high occupancy rates may encourage hotel investments by competitors which would stimulate tourism in their country, but which would also relieve the hotel room scarcity that has led to the charging of such high hotel rates. .It may be also feared that accurate hotel statistics will make obvious evasion of foreign; exchange if all such earnings are not being reported to the monetary authorities. In some countries the tourist administration itself is not very keen to issue hotel statistics, as they often reveal low average occupancy rates which may, dis courage investors. In the absence of overall figures by type and location of hotels, the future investors are given figures on the most favourably located and best run hotels and this is considered as a real encouragement of hotel investments. Whatever the value of such views, they have to be taken into consideration when hotel statistics are being introduced and a few preliminary issues have to be solved.

41. The tourist authorities must have an accurate and reliable picture of the situation of the existing hotels if a realistic tourism development programme is to be achieved. Owners of existing hotels should also find it useful to learn if their volume of business is lagging behind the average for their type

of hotel, its particular area etc.; what is" the seasonal pattern of business

in their hotel compared with the average etc. And finally, investors in new hotels will not be satisfied with the figures of the leading hotels only; they will look around for less successful experience, but all this sample-taking cannot be a substitute for an overall accurate picture based on reliable sta tistics, which can best reassure future investors.

Page 21 -

42. In most.. European countries, protection of data on ■ individual hotels is ,. . ensured by ther ^confidential nature-of tho information- .-This, means that.such <■

data cannot, be, used for .taxation and ■ exchange control? aud only the aggregate figures for a .sufficiently largo number of es;hablishrv?,nts arc published. If. ...

there are only a fev; hotels in the capital city or in the country.' even if treated as confidential, the figures fill.bo too revealing and in such a case.;, there may be some justification for refusing to publish them. Also ,if there :: ■ is only one de luxe hotel in the whole country, publishing data on de luxe hotels would be-an obvious indiscretion,, ..But if these figures are .merged with the. figures-of the first olass hotels, the situation would look different, ■■ . . 43- In view of. such cqnsJdar-atioii&.and :l:i order to oaim apprehensions it may- . be .preferable- to entrust xhe collection of statistical data in- the hotel .inr-: -.

dustry to the'central statistical office whose officer? fully understand the ■ importance of the statistical secret. In Africa, however, 14 of the 21 coun tries which, collect hotel statistics -do so through the tourist administration, ■

. 4. through the.pent.ral statistical off?.oet two through the hotel owner or hotel

chain owner,, and-one through the security service• As has been observed for : .the frontier check statistics, it is possible tjiat a well-equipped and well-,

staffed tourist administration can do this job properly,- but it' is questionable

.whether it can dp; it in such an- economical, way -as a central statistical office.

,0n the .other hand-, the: tourist administration has to keep up-to-date lists; of hotels and other oommercia'. accommodation for information of .foreign wholesalers, tour operators, tourists etce In some countries: the. tourist administration issues permits necessary for operating hptel bus.tnsss, and in'this way already has '■ ■■

considerable, insight into .hot.el;:.operations>:■ .and could gather the statistical';

data as well. .In .ir.ost ■ of the countries' therefore, this question .is solved in- terms of expediency.; avid available manpower* ■ ■ .'...'. ■"■■ >..".-..■.::'".'..■'•:■

44*,- In .11 of the 21 couLv^riec with hotel statistics., the .obligation for hotels to provide statistical, data, is based on ■]€Jgal-«r valid administrative'.regula-"- tionsj in 5 countries it wan not possible to ascertain from the tourist organiza tion^ whe.ther the. collection of hot-eif.. statistics had-.ej; .legal -basis . and: if so,. ■•

what it was,and in 4 countries there, is, no legal obligation for hotels to submit statistical.data. ■ In view.of .viSiat.^ss- been said about .tho attitude of the hotel industry, it is very .in.por bant .that.; 'cia-.collection of-.statistical data should ■ haye .a., legal-.basis.;, and -thai;. effecc-i-.-e-hoteJ. inspection a-'ic!., application of = " ' sanctions malce sure: ;.hat thy hotels submit' accurate da'ta-.-iU due time,

45*'./.In. 13 .countries-hotel statisTdc.i ir.cl:dd.e poth arrivals- and.-hotel nights' ' and in 7 countries only hotel nights- With up-to-date information oh hotel capacity the cccu^an^y rf.t«c can L^ eacily calculated, and v;here the arrivals are also recorded,-, the, average stay-of various categories of-.hotel visitors ■■

is also known. . - . ...

E/CN.14/THANS/47

Page 22

46. The hotel statistics in Africa do not keep a separate record of first arrivals at a hotel upon entering the country. Separate, recording of these arrivals has been recommended by the UN Statistical Commission and very-

interesting conclusions, can be drawn from comparing these data with the

frontier statistics of foreign visitors. The statistics of first arrivals . ..

in hotels can also to a certain extent be a substitute for frontier check

statisticso

47 • The hotel arrivals and nights are broken down by type, and location of hotel1 plant in 10 countries, by month in 15 countries, by country of residence in 15 countries of which in 5 countries the distruction is made between

residents and non-residents and in one country between residents, and non

residents of East Africa. In 5 countries, arrivals are broken down by nationality.

In 4 countries they are broken down by purpose of visit,.

48. It is' certainly also useful to have various other items of information on hotel guests. Such as for instance, on how many couples or family members travel together and heed double rooms as distinct from those who travel alone and need single-bed rooms. 'A better knowledge of such data for various types. and categor ies of hotels at different locations would permit more accurate planning of the ratio of single bed rooms to twin bed rooms in new hotels.In the. absence of such data,, new first class hotels have only twin bed rooms which are rented at. lower :. prices when occupied by single persons. It is alleged that the larger size of ...'the room does not cost much morej what is expensive is sanitary equipment and

furnishings, and that there is not much difference in cost of a single room equipment and furnishings and a double room equipment and furnishings'. This ■ difference however is far from negligible especially' if the costs of air-

conditioning are included, more accurate planning of new hotels would allow the calculation of lower hotel rates than at present. In holiday tourism nothing should be omitted which will lead to a lowering of hotel rates in order to make

the tourist offer more competitive in foreign markets l/.

49. The technique of collecting statistical data from hotels varies according, to hew detailed information is required. If the hotels have to provide informa- -tion only on their present capacity and the number of arrivals and, nights broken down by-month and,, by country of permanent residence, this can be done on two

forms' (one for arrivals and one for nights), each month to be submitted by the hotel to the statistical service. If however, information is requested in more detail such as purpose of visit, family group or single etc., it is necessary to request each visitor to fill in a form and these individual forms are processed by the statistical service.

50. Of the countries known to calculate occupancy rates, 6 do so both per room and per bed, 6 countries calculate them only per bed and one country only per

room. ^

1/ For more details see "Le tourisme en Afrique du centre" E/CN.I4/TRANS/4I,

71 - paragraphes 206 and 207 (only in French],

'Table6:Hotelstatistics liegion Country Algeria Libya Tunisia.. UAE CentralAfrica Cameroon ■Jongo(Dem. (Dem,Rep,) Gabon Congo

(Pop. Rep, )

EasternAfrica Burundi Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Tanzania Uganda

1968 1963 1961 1971 I960 1968 1965 1965 1968 1970

Authority compilingthem Admin.,of Tourism yes yes yes yes yes

0fcher

Establishments included yes yes yes

yes yes yes yes yes

Only hotels w yes-' yes yes yes yos

Hotels& otherocc yes yes yes — yes yes yes yes yes ■yes

1/ Not all tourist hotels

2/Onlyonresidentsofthecountryandnon-residents

3/ Only on residents of East Africa and other residents.

Obligation| basedon| legaltext yes yes yes N.A NO N.A. yes yes No No yes yes yes yes

yes yes yes yes yes yes yec

M ■P

o no _{a> -p} (fl o a oo ■H-P 4i-Q) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

yes yes yes yes yes yes ■yes yes yes

Brokendownby yes yes

O03 -p-cf s-h 0fa o<u of-r

2/

/■es- ,2/ yes- N.A. yes yes yes yes yes yes

N.Ac yes yes-

-I-3 ■1

-3-

^{o ■H} ye; N.A. 3/yes yes- yes yes

yes

03. CO O

-P P(-H n.a; yes

Occupancy rate TS CD u a. yes yes N,A. yes. N,A. yes yes yos yes yes yes

■o o U yes N.A yes NcA yes yes NOA yes

T_abiej5:(Cont'd) ^'ub—Region """" Country J±:__; West/ifrica Dahomey IvoryCoast Mali Ni^er Senegal UpperVolta Total

O ■HO 1963 1968 21

Authori compiling Admin,of Tourism yes yes yes 14

+.y bhem Other yes yes 7

Establishments included Only hotels

yes^ yesr^ /

yeQ2/

- ye85/

12

Hotels& otherocc. 9

Obligation based-on legaltext II.A, i'lO yes N.A. N.A. N.A. yes 11

•> ■H U <! yes yes yes .N.A. yes yes yes 13

(0 p £? faO H yes yes yes N.A yes yes yes 20

I §>

ort r-\O G)fl• ftOO Ps-H-P EH-P<U yes 10_

Brr. - S yes yes. yes yes yes yes 15

ken'iovmbv o dh 3M OQJ OU yes

ye>

N.A. yes yes yes 15

+=> ■H i-I (SJ S. _{o ■H -P} nJ yes N.A, 5

O 0) 10 O

-P ftH S*-H a,> yes yes yes 4

Occupo.

a f\. -p '■11W .1CV rate -

■a

No N.A.' yes N.A. N.A. yes yes 12

e o o u u <a CU No N.A. N.A. N.A. yes yes 6

a

s

CO 45* —J

4/ ^nly form the state-owned hotels 5/ Only hotels of the capital city

N.A.=Information"notavailable.

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page 25

FOREIGN"EXCHANGE" STATISTICS

51. It has been possible to obtain pnly fragmentary and often vague informa tion on the recording of foreign exchange earnings from tourism,. All of-the 19 countries',for which we could obtain some information have foreign exchange control.^..'Thiscontrol covers purchases...of- foreign, currencies and-^other means of payment from visitors by the banks and. other authorized money dealersj as well as transfers from abroad in payment of tourist services in the country.

The amounts declared are centralized by the monetary (central )bank l/.

52. In 7 of the surveyed countries, written declarations are requested from the incoming passengers of the amounts of local and foreign currency.and other means of payment they are carrying with them. All foreign means of payment exchanged in the country for local currency have to be entered on the declara tion form and only the remaining means of payment can be taken out by the.

passenger leaving the country. Theoretically this facilitates double cheeking of the figures communicated to. the central bank by money dealers, and.with.a parallel control of transfers from abroad, this should provide, a complete picture of the legal foreign exchange earnings from tourism. :

53. However, in countries which have introduced such a control, the foreign exchange earnings recorded by the central bank are far behind the expenditures of foreign-tourists estimated on a different basis. This discrepancy'can be explained-by various leakages. It is possible, among others, that incoming passengers- sell undeclared foreign currency in the black market, but. also.that a part of the sums due by foreign'wholesalers .to local hotels and tour operators is deposited in their favour in an account' abroad. It is' also possible that foreign visitors who stay as guests with friends and relatives in an African country reciprocate later by offe'ring free hospitality in their own country to their former host or keep money abroad at his disposal.

54« It is mostly for this reason that the service which has to figure out various items of the international balance of payments,.among themthe earnings from international travel, have to base to calculation on other data-and.this has also been done by the tourist administration in 7 of.. the surveyed countries.

The foreign exchange earnings from tourism are mostly estimated on the basis of -the number-of-various categories" of" foreign 'visit'brs,'th¥ length of their stay

in the country and their typical daily expenditures. The latter figure can be

obtained either from sample surveys among departing visitors (in Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania and Tunisia) or actual count (Malawi) or it can be calculated on the

basis of hotel rates, and other expenditure items incurred by foreign visitors.

55» While the central bank records usually provide figures, which cover only a portion of the foreign exchange earnings the estimates of foreign exchange earnings by the tourist administration often tend to be rather optimistic.

\J Bank omitting the national currency.

E/CN.14/TRANS/47

Page 26

Table 7 : Foreign exchange statistics

Sub—Region Country North Africa

Libya"

Morocco Sudan Tunisia UAR

Central Africa Gabon

Congo (People1 Rep.)

Eastern Africa Burundi Ethiopia Kenya ' Malawi Mauritius Tanzania Uganda Zambia West Africa

Ghana

Ivory Coast Senegal Upper Volta -

Control of foreign ex change pur—

■ chases and transfers

yes yes . yes yes yes

yes s yes

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

yes yes yes

i

Confoxm. /

to IMF *J

—

yes . N.A.

yes

N.A.

]

N.A. ■

yes

N.A.

N.A. '.

N.A.

yes . yes

N.A. ' N.A.

N.A.

yes yes yes

~~ ■ ■

Written declara tion at the- border-

■ ■ , ■(

yes'

-

- yes yes . yes

- ■.

_

—

yes

—

—

—

-

yes

—

■ — yes

Sample

survey

•

_

yes.

—

yes

N.A..

■ - ■'

yes

_

yes N.A.

-

_

_

—

Estimates^of visitors' expenditure

yes yes

N.A.

yes yes

yes

yes

yes

—

19 18

1/ IMP = International Monetary Fund, Balance of Payment Manuel.

\