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In today’s tourism industry, the use of advanced digital technologies and statistical analysis tools is essential to improving efficiency. The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is committed to this goal, as highlighted by Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker at the launch of the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) training in Timor-Leste this week. He added that this initiative demonstrates SPTO’s commitment to using technology to improve decision-making and productivity.
The PTDI activity is part of the SPTO Phase 2 Pacific Digital Tourism Transformation Project, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT), which is committed to evidence-based decision making. This is achieved through the publication of three key reports each year: the biennial International Visitor Survey (IVS), the annual Business Confidence Index (BCI) and the annual Community Attitudes Survey (CAS) from ten Pacific Island countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, Timor-Leste and Federated States of Micronesia-Yap).
The training was jointly organized with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Timor-Leste and focused on best practices for collecting key tourism data. Key participants included representatives from the Ministry’s Research and Statistics Department, Activities and Products Department, Habras Foundation, Timor-Leste Immigration Service, National External Employment Agency, Taxation Authority, Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, National External Employment Agency, Dili City Government, National Statistics Office and other key departments. This cross-sectoral approach ensured comprehensive and practical data collection and analysis.
Mr Coke said guided by the ESPA Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy and ESPA Digital Strategy Principles, the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) and the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework (PSTIF) aim to improve data management processes and procedures to produce, compile and disseminate statistics, and assess and improve statistical skills and capacities through the use of digital technologies, so as to work in a more innovative, efficient and effective way.
“We recognise the importance of continuous improvement and are undertaking a comprehensive assessment of current statistical skills and capabilities. These initiatives reflect the SPTO’s dedication to innovation, excellence and continuous improvement in data management,” said Mr Cocker.
He added that the team in Timor-Leste will also collect data for the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework (PSTIF). PSTIF provides a powerful online dashboard for the Pacific and the world showing how each destination performs in terms of sustainable tourism.
“The Pacific Tourism and Technology Index will also provide a medium for each destination to compare its performance in tourism and development against other Pacific destinations. Active involvement of stakeholders in providing data will make this dashboard a success and provide a more accurate measure of tourism by looking at economic, social and environmental indicators,” he added.
“I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Timor-Leste Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Timor-Leste Tourism Board, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry who made this training possible. Together, let us harness the power of data, because data is king, it will enable informed decision-making and will shape a sustainable and vibrant future for tourism in Timor-Leste and the Pacific region. Thank you for your dedication and support to this important cause.”
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