Occupancy Data Collection
Occupancy Data Update - June 11, 2007Since
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 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 was discussed during the week of June 11, 2007 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, contact TIA Yukon