Tourism statistics, indicators and big data: a perspective article

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the evolution of tourism data and critically debates future perspective for producers and users of tourism data. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides a perspective on tourism data based on selected literature. Findings: Industry developments, technological changes and novel methodologies have influenced tourism data sources. Closer attention to new data collection methods and novel analytics is required. Research limitations/implications: A considerate and integrated system of tourism data (statistics, indicators, and big data) shall remain a priority for scholars and practitioners alike. Practical implications: The thoughtful merging of tourists’ digital traces with industry data, the competences of data analysts and the theoretical strengths of tourism scholars will result in a redesign of the tourism data landscape. Social implications: This perspective article provides a brief overview of the development and challenges related to the future use of tourism statistics, indicators and big data. Originality/value: The paper offers a novel vision of tourism data by combining three different but complementary aspects of tourism data.