Occupancy Data Collection

Occupancy Data Update - June 11, 2007
Since September of 2006, IT Edge Consulting has been working on behalf of TIA Yukon to connect with accommodations operators with http://www.yukondata.com.  This portal is a tool for voluntarily collecting occupancy data from Yukon accommodations operators with the view to collect meaningful data on the industry.  It is a well known fact that occupancy figures complete a formula to project visitor spending in a region.  In Yukon, this data does not exist.

The program is in its 10^th month and has a long way to go. Key components of this program ensured that it was:

• Confidential
• Easy to use
• Collecting minimal information – 3 figures twice per month
• Assisted by an on-line calculator to facilitate use
• Accessible with in-person, real-time support as a reminder, an administrator, and someone to asks questions to.

For tourism, this program provides access to quantifiable data about visitor spending.  It also shows trends in vacancy rates and peak times.

For the operators, this new tool provides an on-line data collection system that is automated, confidential, can show individual operators their own trends from year to year, month to month, etc.

How’s the program going?  Several operators have committed to participate and some of those are entering their information.  Many operators have declined participation, don’t understand the benefits and/or are not willing to participate for fear of data access.

What are options?  This question is being discussed this week – June 11 – at the TIA Yukon Board of Directors table.  In partnership with Tourism & Culture and Economic Development, TIA Yukon needs to make a decision if more time spent with operators will beget more participation and therefore more meaningful data.  Otherwise, without this critical data, it will remain difficult for the industry and government to articulate industry performance in the future.

Comments and or more information, email pattib@klondiker.com