Data collection for Tourism Statistics Up to 2005 collected information was keyed manually from paper forms into our database

XML- based Automated Data Collection

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

Direct data collection

• Data are delivered direct from hotel management systems into our database

• No manual work needed (except to initiate the transfer)

• After their reception data are submitted to the standard validation process

• Software vendors implement a module for the hotel’s management software using Statistics Finland’s definitions for data and service interface

• Implemented using typical B2B integration technique: XML Web Services

Response activity via the Internet

Definition of automated reporting

• Information is saved on specified XML -file. Why?

• XML -file can be specified accurately with XML -schema
• much of new data is based on XML

• XML -file is send by using Web Service. Why?

• After we have specified the WSDL description, the actual Web Service implementation takes just hours
• In Web Service we can control the transmission and authentication. User is informed ether success or failure

Experiences in Finland

• ”Data reporting is now extremely easy” said in Trade Magazine for Hotels and Restaurants.

• Data quality is good

• Data is coming faster than before, just few days after reference period

• Response burden is almost zero, previously 1-2 hours per month.

• Cost have reduced in means of working hours, mailing and printing expenses

• Internet form is not used widely because printing and faxing reports is easier

Encountered problems

• Room capacity and opening days are not always updated

• Correction is possible through web form

• Updating hotel software’s takes time

• One country is a small market for a global software house. When there are different systems in every country it takes a long time to implement this system

How about international standard for automated data reporting?

• Standard data delivery specification (Web Service or ftp or…)

• Standard file format (XML or txt or …)

• Standard file description, same file for every country

• Take what you need, leave the rest

• Benefits

• Software houses need to build only one system, this leads to faster implementation
• Maybe free for the user, because no country specifications is needed
• Good comparability between countries
• Hotels can send the same file for example to their head agency

References:

• Using the Web for collecting data for business statistics in Finland (Prepared by Ilkka Hyppönen), UNECE / CES Plenary Session (Geneva, 13-15 June 2005).

• http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/ces/2005/8.e.pdf