This proposal for a directive concerns the collection of statistics on tourism, the objective being to harmonise and improve statistics compiled by Member States in order to introduce a more efficient and more uniform system of information on tourism supply and demand. This directive defines the structure which will make it possible to progressively establish an exhaustive information system on tourism at European level. It aims to satisfy the needs of a wide range of users for priority data on tourism, while limiting the burden on and additional costs to national statistics offices and companies. The statistics in question relate to the variables and basic indicators in the tourist sector:
- capacity of collective tourist accommodation establishments (number of establishment, rooms, hotel beds, tourist campsites and other holiday dwellings). These establishments will supply yearly information on changes to the structure and capacity of collective accommodation establishments broken down at detailed regional level (NUTS III);
- guest flows in accommodation establishments, in other words the number of visitors and the number of nights spent by residents and non-residents and the capacity/occupancy ratio. These indicators will provide information on the annual and monthly occupancy of collective accommodation establishments and the origin of tourists (NUTS II);
- tourist demand on the two main tourist markets (holidays and business trips: data on the volume of tourism, characteristics of the trips, profile of the tourist and tourist expenditure).
The directive does not impose the use of a specific method or technique for collecting data but ensures that the results are reliable and comparable by means of specific quality criteria and a procedure involving the Statistical Programme Committee. It recommends the use of existing Community statistical tools (NACE regulation). The Member States should start to send data to the Commission in 1996. The directive also makes provision for a specific deadline for data on tourist demand (1997, with transitional periods of three years for countries that must adapt their statistical system).�