Question NW573 to the Minister of Tourism
01 April 2021 - NW573
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)Whether her department has established what percentage of tourism can be attributed to eco-tourism annually for the past five years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) what growth has been identified in eco-tourism since the inception of the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) and (b) will the growth be plotted annually since the GTIP inception
Reply:
(1) No, the department does not collect statistics under a category called eco-tourism. Department monitors the tourism sector’s performance through classified industries related to the Tourism Satelite Account as per System of Industrial Classifications. These include, accommodation, food and beverages, transportation, travel agencies and other reservation services, cultural industries, sports and recreational industries, and retail trade (tourism connect goods). This is an approach that is followed worldwide, including by National Statistical agencies and the UNWTO in the measurement of the sector’s performance and provides standardisation of economic data and comparability thereof.
(2) (a) and (b) GTIP is not an eco-tourism focused incentive. It provides businesses with grant support for energy and water efficiency technology, including retro-fitment. Thus, there is no direct relationship between eco-tourism and the Green Tourism Incentive Programme.