Strengthening Travel Data Collection in Eswatini: Global Lessons, Local Action: Day 2



Date: 14 April 2025

By: Thabiso Njoko

Introduction

On April 9, 2025, the International Trade Centre (ITC) conducted the second day of its specialized training workshop in Eswatini, aimed at enhancing the collection and integration of travel service data. This initiative, part of a broader African trade development effort, spotlighted the importance of accurate travel statistics for compiling the Balance of Payments (BoP) and guiding effective policymaking.


Understanding the Complexity of Travel Data

Travel services are distinct within international trade due to their direct, on-the-ground interaction between travelers and service providers. However, capturing this data poses challenges for many developing countries, owing to its fragmented nature, high collection costs, and technical intricacies.

The ITC outlined a variety of data sources used globally, including:

  • Personal and Household Surveys

  • Enterprise and Establishment Surveys

  • International Transactions Reporting Systems (ITRS)

  • Administrative Records (such as immigration, health, and education data)

  • Operational Data from payment systems and mobile network providers

Best Practices from Around the World

Participants reviewed successful international models for travel data collection. For instance, Algeria’s ITRS system categorizes over 20 types of travel-related transactions, offering a granular view of expenditures. Italy’s visitor surveys provide detailed insights into tourist spending behavior, while Spain and Germany demonstrated how integrating mobile and card transaction data can significantly enhance data depth and accuracy.


Local Contributions and Presentations

Eswatini’s institutions also shared key insights and initiatives during the workshop:

  • Central Bank of Eswatini – Presented by Khetsiwe Dlamini-Maziya
    Discussed the legal frameworks supporting data collection, current use of ITRS for monthly travel service statistics, and classification challenges. She emphasized the need for stronger data-sharing collaboration with the Central Statistical Office (CSO).

  • Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) – Presented by the Statistics and Surveys Unit
    Gave an overview of existing tourism data tools, such as the Exit Survey, Day Visitor Survey, and Event Impact Surveys—critical instruments for evaluating tourist trends and destination performance.

  • Central Statistical Office (CSO) – Presented by Philile Mdluli
    Focused on hotel and accommodation statistics, their collection methods, and challenges in collaborating with establishments. Key issues raised included staff turnover and the absence of standardized systems, with suggestions for both short-term and long-term digital improvements.

These contributions underscored the significance of local ownership, robust institutional cooperation, and ongoing capacity-building in enhancing the quality of Eswatini’s tourism statistics.


Challenges and Solutions

The workshop highlighted several recurring challenges, including:

  • Misclassification of travel-related payments

  • Timing discrepancies between payments and services rendered

  • Low response rates in surveys targeting households and businesses

To address these, participants discussed a range of solutions:

  • Expanding and refining ITRS transaction codes

  • Utilizing mobile data and payment system analytics

  • Improving survey methodologies and interviewer training

  • Strengthening legal protections and confidentiality protocols

  • Promoting inter-agency coordination and formal agreements

Data Integration and Coordination

A key takeaway was the importance of integrating diverse data sources to improve coverage, accuracy, and consistency. The training emphasized formalized cooperation between government departments, financial institutions, and telecom providers—supported by clear protocols and legal frameworks—to ensure sustainable data flows.

Eswatini’s Path Forward

The training offered Eswatini valuable tools and global benchmarks to support its efforts to strengthen travel data systems. The local presentations highlighted both existing strengths and key areas for innovation, particularly in legal, technical, and operational domains. By building on this momentum, Eswatini can significantly improve its tourism intelligence capabilities.


Conclusion

Day 2 of the ITC workshop reaffirmed the vital role of reliable travel data in shaping national economic strategies. With better methodologies, inter-agency collaboration, and the integration of modern technologies, Eswatini is well positioned to lead the way in advancing data-driven tourism development and supporting long-term sectoral growth.

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