Navigating the complexities of tourism statistics in sub-Saharan Africa : insights from Malawi

Abstract

This study examines the data sources and collection methods employed for tourism statistics in Malawi, evaluating their alignment with international standards, particularly the United Nations’ 2008 International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics. The study utilised qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews with 42 key informants and document analysis. The study reveals a reliance on traditional data sources, including border entry/exit points, accommodation facilities, national domestic surveys, and the national population census. Accommodation data, despite its importance, suffers from sampling limitations, the exclusion of same-day visitors, and issues with double-counting. Border data collection, marked by manual and automated inconsistencies, lacks direct digital transfer to the National Statistical Office and neglects entry data. National surveys exhibit definitional inconsistencies in identifying domestic tourists. The census, while providing demographic and economic context, is limited by its infrequent nature and lack of tourism-specific depth. The study highlights gaps in stakeholder collaboration and data dissemination, underscoring the need for improved institutional coordination. Findings reveal a disconnect between current practices and the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 guidelines, emphasizing the need for methodological refinement and enhanced data integration to ensure accurate and reliable tourism statistics for informed policy decisions in Malawi.