David Andrews
Question:7 Mr. Andrews asked the Taoiseach the way in which tourist statistics are compiled; and his views on the inclusion of Irish business travellers in these statistics. [10811/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism and Travel Statistics.
Tony Killeen
Question:79 Mr. Killeen asked the Taoiseach the manner in which tourist statistics are compiled; and if he will comment on the inclusion of Irish business travellers in these statistics. [11039/95]
The overseas tourism and travel statistics published by the Central Statistics Office are based primarily on two large year round sample surveys of passengers, both inward and outward, at all major air and sea ports.
The "Country of Residence Survey", which covered 142,000 inward and 150,000 outward passengers in 1994, provides an estimated distribution of passengers by country of residence.
The "Passenger Card Inquiry", which covered 114,000 inward and 162,000 outward passengers in 1994, provides information on the reason for the journey, area of residence, length of stay, expenditure and fare costs.
The results of these two surveys are used in conjunction with total passenger movement figures supplied by the transport companies to provide estimates of all visits and related expenditure by overseas visitors to Ireland, excluding Irish residents returning from visits abroad, and visits abroad by Irish residents. These estimates are published on a quarterly and annual basis.
Internationally, a tourist is defined as a person travelling to and staying in a country other than that in which he-she has his-her usual residence for a period not exceeding 12 months for leisure, business and other purposes. Business travellers are, therefore, correctly included; this ensures that Ireland's international tourism and travel balance of payments transactions are comprehensively covered.
Business travellers are, however, separately identified in the "reason for journey" classification which distinguishes (1) business, (2) tourist, (3) visit to relatives and (4) other.
We will now proceed to deal with priority questions to which a rigid time limit applies.