research methods in tourism nicos rodosthenous phd 14/03/2013 6 14/3/20131dr nicos rodosthenous

RESEARCH METHODS IN TOURISMNicos Rodosthenous PhD

14/03/20136

14/3/2013 1Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis

• Introduction Undertaking a research it is wise to use existing

information rather than collecting new one. Primary data are new data collected in a research

project. Secondary data already exist and were collected

and can be used as a second time (secondary user). Further analysis of such data is referred to as secondary analysis.



1. National leisure participation surveys In most countries leisure surveys are made

by government departments or agencies on a regular basis.

Each country adopted different design principles-findings are generally not comparable.

Questions usually used are based on:



Validity and reliability: How sure can we be, that the resultant data are accurate?

National government statistical organizations have an enviable reputation

Surveys are often based on large sample sizes There haw been little dramatic variation in the

findings of the various surveysSample size: the larger the sample size the more

reliable and precise are the survey findings.



Main question-participation reference period: Four weeks is the participation ‘reference period’ Recent surveys have used the one year

conference period by covering participation in all seasons of the year in one survey

Leisure participation surveys do not indicate the total number of people who take part in an activity but the number involve in a specified time-period.



Age range: some surveys include young respondents of 12

years old, while others cover only those of aged 18 and over.

The reasons for not interviewing young children are: 1) it may be difficult to obtain accurate info 2) considered ethically unacceptable 3) when children considered to engage in such activities as being under the control of their parents.



• For example, for gardening, or going to the opera, young people are not among the most frequent participants.

Social characteristics: national leisure surveys generally include variables as gender, occupation, age, education level, size of family, household and country of birth.



2. Tourism surveys Detailed data on domestic and international

tourists are obtained by means of interview surveys.

For international tourism, data are available from government international arrivals and departures statistics (ports and airports).

There is also comparison with the data of the World Tourism Organization (WTO)



In Britain the main source of info on domestic tourism is the Tourism Survey. It s a home-based survey with a monthly sample size.

In Cyprus info for overseas visitors is collected by the Office for National Statistics and the Cyprus Tourism Organization. ( nationality, length of trip, level of expenditure )

Comprehensive data on border crossings are no longer collected due to liberalization of travel.



Today the main source of data and statistics is the Eurostat - Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account.

3. Economic surveys: In most developed countries surveys of household

expenditure are conducted on a regular basis. In Cyprus this survey is an annual one. Economic

data refer to employment in the tourism industries. Data are available from national statistical

agencies.



Economic data sources provide the basis for the regular tourism expenditure forecasting and market trend analysis reports.

4. Management data Many leisure and tourism organizations generate

routine data to be used for research purposes. Most of them have MIS designed to produce data

for organizations performance assesment.



Examples of such data may be available on hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal or annual basis.

It is advisable to explore fully the nature, extent and availability of such data and their potential utilization before starting a fresh data collection.

Case study 1: Conference tourism in Cyprus.



Before initiating expensive procedures, such as surveys, to investigate this segment of tourism in Cyprus, it would be advisable to study the available visitor/participant data.

i.e whether it was taking place round the year or at certain time/season of the year.



5. Documentary sources As an info source for research, lies between

literature and management data. Many of these sources are important for

historical research or as a background for a project.

6. Using secondary data: some useful analysis can be done by using secondary data.



• Summary • This chapter is concerned with the use of

secondary data and the secondary analysis of existing data, which collected for by others for other purposes.

• There are also potential cost-saving and time-saving advantages to such a strategy if adequate data already exist.


research methods in tourism nicos rodosthenous phd 14/03/2013 6 14/3/20131dr nicos rodosthenous

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