International Standards of Statistical Support for the Management of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector

Abstract

The article examines international standards of statistical support for the management of the tourism and hospitality sector as a methodological foundation for the formulation and implementation of managerial decisions in the sector. It is substantiated that under conditions of increasing structural complexity of the tourism and hotel business, growing sustainability requirements, and ongoing digital transformation, traditional approaches to statistical accounting and reporting are no longer sufficient to provide effective managerial support. In this context, statistics of the tourism and hospitality sector are increasingly transformed from a tool of descriptive accounting into an active component of the management framework, oriented toward strategic planning, performance monitoring, and evaluation of management outcomes. The evolution of international approaches to statistical measurement of tourism is analyzed, ranging from classical economic tools, particularly the Tourism Satellite Account, to integrated frameworks that incorporate economic, social, and environmental dimensions, most notably the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (SF-MST). Special attention is paid to the managerial logic underlying the application of international tourism statistics standards, which ensure data consistency and comparability, form a reliable information base for multi-level governance, and enhance the quality of managerial decision-making at macro- and meso-level. The role of information and analytical support is identified as a key integrating element linking statistical data, analytical tools, and management mechanisms within the tourism and hospitality sector. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of digitalization and use of big data on the transformation of statistical support systems for management. These processes expand the analytical capacity of tourism statistics while simultaneously raising methodological and institutional challenges related to data integration and governance. It is concluded that the implementation and adaptation of international standards of statistical support create the prerequisites for a transition from fragmented statistical accounting to a systemic management-oriented approach to the development of the tourism and hospitality sector. Such a transition strengthens the managerial role of statistics and contributes to achieving both economic efficiency and sustainable development objectives.