I admit that I too fell into this trap of estimating the number of tourists and their spending on the seaside . With the help of decision-makers with experience in tourism, along with official data from the INS and, until recently, from the Constanta County Police Inspectorate , I managed to make an estimate of the number of tourists and their spending on the seaside.
Who and what reports to the National Institute of Statistics (INS)
To report, only reports certain hotels. Why? Because it is possible, because there is no measure to sanction those who do not send the information, because it is not wanted (for fear of not finding out the true receipts) Let's say that you use the data received by the INS from the officially classified units and then, using statistical methods, you make an average. The problem is that you won't know how many tourists were on the St. Mary's holiday at the seaside until September-November!
And then where do we keep seeing the figures announced by the media? Well, associations and patronages in tourism have dozens of hotels in their garden and that's how they determine what the occupancy level was and the average rate. But can you say that this is the truth on the whole coast? I think not.
Why is there no official system for reporting tourists?
Because there are many accommodation units that are not registered with the Ministry of Tourism, meaning they operate illegally. Just look at the tens of thousands of apartments spread all over the coast, not just in Mamaia and Năvodari.
Because certain hoteliers, with classified units, do not want to officially report the number of tourists. Here I think you answer yourself why!
Because the state authorities have not introduced the obligation for hoteliers to use an integrated system for reporting the number of tourists.
Because to the INS, throughout the year 2023, the commune of Limanu, which includes three resorts (Vama Veche, 2 Mai and Limanu), reported just over 41 thousand tourists, given that this number is reached in a single day of the weekend.
Possible solutions - the system purchased by the Constanța County Council and made available to all accommodation units
The state should be the first to want to know the real number of tourists. What does it help him with? Including to find out the reality from your own backyard. Then the list of reasons can go on:
- Infrastructure planning and development: Understanding the flow of tourists allows authorities to plan and develop the necessary infrastructure such as roads, transport networks, public services, parking and tourist facilities. Thus, infrastructure overload can be avoided and an optimal level of service is ensured for all visitors and residents.
- Management of resources and public services: Knowing the actual number of tourists helps to manage local resources more efficiently, including water, energy and waste. It also allows emergency services such as police, ambulances and fire brigades to be allocated appropriately during peak tourist periods.
- Setting tourism and marketing policies: Accurate data on the number of tourists helps to formulate effective tourism promotion and marketing strategies. Authorities can identify target markets and adapt promotional campaigns to attract more tourists or to diversify tourist sources.
- Economic and budgetary planning: Revenues from tourism, such as tourist taxes and other local taxes, are important for local budgets. Understanding the number of tourists helps in the correct estimation of revenues and the appropriate budget allocation for the maintenance and development of tourist destinations.
- Protecting heritage and the environment: Knowing the flow of tourists allows authorities to implement measures to protect cultural heritage and the environment. These may include limiting access to certain sensitive areas, implementing conservation policies or educating tourists about their impact on the environment.
- Public safety: In case of emergency situations (natural disasters, epidemics, etc.), knowing the actual number of tourists allows the authorities to respond more quickly and efficiently, ensuring their safety and evacuation, if necessary.
- Feedback and service improvement: By monitoring the number of tourists and their behavior, authorities can collect valuable feedback that can be used to improve services and the overall tourist experience.
In conclusion, knowing the actual number of tourists provides local/county/national authorities with the necessary information to effectively manage tourism, protect resources and maximize the economic and social benefits of tourism to the community.
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