The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) renewed the clearance for the conduct of the 2020 Survey of Tourism Establishments in the Philippines (STEP) which is conducted every five (5) years.

The survey aims to generate information on the availability of supply from tourism establishments that will meet the consumption of goods and services of visitors in the country. Specifically, the 2020 STEP intends to:

a. provide data on the supply and capacity of tourism industries in terms of facilities and services;
b. generate data on employment by nationality, status, age group, and sex;
c. determine the number of displaced workers during Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID – 19) pandemic;
d. gather data on revenue generated;
e. determine solid waste type and disposal; and
f. provide information on indicators for future expansion and renovation plans.

The 2020 STEP collects data on employment by nationality, status, position, age group, and sex, facilities/amenities and usage, transport facilities, revenue generated from tourists, type of expansion and/or renovation plans, estimated investment for future expansion and/or renovation, solid waste type and disposal, among others.

About 10,000 establishments will be covered by the survey and will utilize a total of Php 12.17 million. Questionnaires will be distributed and collected from April to June 2021. Results of the survey in a form of special release is expected to be available in November 2021.

Meanwhile, the results of the 2014 STEP were as follows:

a. Food and beverage service activities topped among the industries with 24,066 establishments or 61.1 percent of the total. The activity also recorded the largest number of seasonal  workers at 17,022 (44.3 percent).
b. Across industries, food and beverage service activities accounted for the biggest share of the total revenues generated from tourists at PhP 220.8 billion or 39.4 percent of the total.
c. About 5,637 out of 39,385 establishments or 14.3 percent reported plans for expansion within the next five years while 7,465 establishments or 19.0 percent planned to renovate within the next five years.
d. Out of the total number of 39,385 tourism characteristic establishments, only 8,869 establishments or 22.5 percent were accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The 2020 STEP was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

a. ensure sound design for data collection,
b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents,
c. effect economy in statistical data collection,
d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts, and
e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins all establishments to support the survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph and ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.