New attempt to establish
tourism stats collection
PHILIPSBURG--Tourism Commissioner Roy Marlin is hoping to implement a new tourism statistics collection system before the end of this year. The data collected on Immigration cards is not tabulated or shared with the local tourism authorities at present.
An attempt to establish a data bank called Tourism Statistical Information System (TSIS) failed more than six years ago because of no cohesion between the local government and the Central Government where the Immigration authority lies. The data collected was considered sensitive personal data and property of the Central Government. This left stacks of data cards gathering dust.
Marlin announced Wednesday that Induca, a company that has established tourism statistical units for several Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas, would give a presentation on the system, its uses and benefits to tourism stakeholders and law enforcement authorities on Friday, April 4.
Data on air arrivals is vital for the proper and effective planning for destination marketing, as well as Immigration controls, Marlin said. Knowing where stay-over passengers spend their time on the island, how they book their flights, income, and contact information will greatly help the island spend its limited marketing dollars wisely, he explained.
Joint marketing and promotions with neighbouring islands like St. Barths and Anguilla will also have a better basis with data to show how many passengers use Princess Juliana International Airport as a hub, he noted.
Additionally, Immigration officials will have up-to-date data on who has entered the island through the airport and a record of who has left. The systems in the Bahamas and other islands require a photograph of the visitor to be taken and saved along with his or her details, for security and Immigration purposes.
Asked how the hurdles that had caused the failure of the old system would be crossed, Marlin said, “It is time to think outside of the box” if there is seriousness about improving the island.
To get all partners on board, especially the Central Government, which has to give approval for the use of the data card information and instruct the Immigration officers to work with the system, Marlin has invited Minister of Justice David Dick and Local Chief of Police Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards to attend the presentation.
Marlin received word Wednesday afternoon that Dick had confirmed his attendance. “This is a good sign, because he will get the information directly and should be able to say what support we will get from him,” Marlin told The Daily Herald.
