Accounting for tourism: The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in perspective

My central question in this study is: How should an accounting system be structured that can provide answers on tourism policy at the national and sub-national level? This study starts with the presentation of the System of National Accounts. The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) framework is a satellite account of the national accounts in the area of tourism. The TSA framework is the result of an international debate on tourism statistics. Evaluating the TSA, I consider this framework a valuable contribution to the range of economic statistics available. However, I have also found that improvements to the TSA can be made. First, the current framework includes tables that need some more methodological consideration. Second, I think that it is an advantage if tourism statistics are placed in a broader context. This can be done by linking tourism to other industries in the economy.

I conclude that the current set of ten tables in the TSA framework, and especially the tables on tourism consumption and production, are a good start. This set of tables supply ample information to feed into a modelling exercise. For countries dependent on tourism the institutional approach facilitates a more in-depth analysis of money flows related to tourism. In the end it depends on the statistical needs of a country which parts of the TSA will be produced and if any extensions are needed. The following question should be answered to determine how much a country should invest in tourism statistics: Is tourism a considerable industry which deserves special attention, or is tourism a marginal industry of no particular interest for policy making?

Steeg, A. M. van de (2009). Accounting for tourism: The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in perspective. Dissertation, University of Groningen.