XML- based Automated Data Collection

8th International Forum on Tourism Statistics

14. November 2006, Cceres, Spain
Ville Vertanen
ville.vertanen@stat.fi

Slide only in handout

Introduction - Strategies
Statistics Finlands Strategy for EDR (Electronic Data Reporting)
To offer an electronic option in all data collections by 2007
(not in person statistics)
Its the respondents choice whether to use it or not
Business Data Collections
About 50 surveys (excluding collections with less than 30 respondents)
45 Web (Internet form) collections in use

8th Internationa Forum on Business

Tourism Statistics

Monthly questionnaire
Includes all establishments with 10 or more rooms, cottages or caravan pitches
Covers 90% of room capacity in Finland

Enquiry covers 1,406 accommodation establishments in 2006, of which

756 hotels
185 similar establishments
283 camping sites
132 holiday
villages
50 youth hostels

8th Internationa Forum on Business

Slide only in handout

Data collection for Tourism Statistics

Up to 2005 collected information was keyed manually from
paper forms into our database
From the beginning of 2005 it has been possible to respond
by an Internet questionnaire (09/2006 ~250 answers)
Information is entered manually into the questionnaire
From autumn 2005 it has been possible to send information
direct from hotel management systems into our collection
database (09/2006 ~55 answers)
Typically, no manual input needed at Statistics Finland or
at hotels

8th Internationa Forum on Business

Slide only in handout

Data collection with paper questionnaire

Accommodation establishment

manual
Database

Accommodation establishment

manual

manual

Statistics Finland
Accommodation establishment

print

Accommodation establishment

manual

Accommodation establishment

print

manual

Manual phases needed

From SF to accomm. est.
- Reminders and feedback
by mail

Head agency
8th Internationa Forum on Business

Data collection via the Internet

Accommodation establishment

manual

Accommodation establishment

manual

Accommodation establishment

manual

Accommodation establishment

manual

Accommodation establishment

-Manual input needed at hotels

but not at Statistics Finland

- Reminders and feedback by

email

Statistics Finland

Database

manual
8th Internationa Forum on Business