CTO´s Conference on Tourism Stats Comes to a Close in Antigua

A five-day regional workshop on tourism statistics and information management ended last week in Antigua. The workshop, organized by CTO in collaboration with the European Union-funded Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Program (CRSTDP), sought to enhance participants´ knowledge and understanding of existing, new and emerging tourism statistical and research methodologies.

Participants also shared experiences and study best practices in tourism information management, statistics and research. It targeted senior and mid level statisticians, researchers and persons responsible for managing and coordinating tourism statistics at the national tourism organizations and national statistical offices.

Delegates to the October 10-14 event examined prominent tourism statistical systems that are prevalent in the region and determine the effectiveness of these systems. They also discussed modified uses of immigration cards as a stronger way for gathering tourism information.

"Since tourism is such an important component of the economy in every Caribbean country, tourism authorities need to examine numerous characteristics of the industry both from the supply side and the demand side," said McHale Andrew, research consultant at CTO.

"The information collected will be used to customize policies and strategies aimed at redressing any supply problems or at enhancing the tourism product and providing a more competitive and attractive destination or experience for the visitor," he added.