ISTAT - Istituto Nazionale di Statistica
Euro-SDMX Metadata Structure Definition (ESMS_MSD 3.0 ESTAT)
Annual data on trips of EU residents (tourism_demand)
2012 - A0
1. Contact
1.1 Contact organisation

ISTAT

1.2 Contact organisation unit

Trips and holidays

1.3 Contact name
1.4 Contact person function
1.5 Contact mail address

Viale Oceano pacifico, 171, Roma, Italy

1.6 Contact email address
1.7 Contact phone number
1.8 Contact fax number
2. Metadata update
2.1 Metadata last certified
27/09/2013
2.2 Metadata last posted
27/06/2014
2.3 Metadata last update
09/01/2014
3. Statistical presentation

[heading only, for details see below]

3.1 Data description

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
   

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1

Survey 2 (if applicable)

   

 

3.2 Classification system

[not applicable]

3.3 Coverage - sector

[not applicable]

3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions

(OPTIONAL, unless deviations from Regulation 692/2011 exist)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
   
3.5 Statistical unit
3.5.1 Statistical unit
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 In case of data on participation in tourism, statistical units are individuals, whereas in case of data on trips and visitors making trips, the statistical units are the trips.  

 

3.5.2 Reporting unit
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Both in case of data on participation in tourism and in case of data on trips and visitors making trips, reporting units are individuals.  
3.6 Statistical population
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 All individuals residing in Italy as far as participation in tourism is concerned; all tourism trips of at least one overnight stay outside the usual environment made by the resident population. Data refer to the population aged 15 and over even if all aged individuals are sampled.  
3.7 Reference area

(OPTIONAL, unless deviations from Regulation 692/2011 exist)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 All territories of Italy are included.  
3.8 Coverage - Time
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Since 1997, both for series on participation in tourism and for series on tourism trips.  
3.9 Base period

[not applicable]

4. Unit of measure

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
   
5. Reference Period
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 2012  
6. Institutional Mandate

[heading only, for details see below]

6.1 Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
6.2 Institutional Mandate - data sharing

[not applicable]

7. Confidentiality

[heading only, for details see below]

7.1 Confidentiality - policy
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 National legislative measures: Legislative Decree no. 322/1989; Legislative Decree no. 196 of 30th June 2003.  
7.2 Confidentiality - data treatment
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Different measures are applied to guarantee confidentiality. The microdata exchange between Istat and private enterprises in charge of data collection is made by Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), by using password for the access. Identificative variables are stored separately as soon as the data collection ends. Aggregated data are disseminated only after having made controls such as the aggregation of disclosive information, cell suppression, analysis of single values. The possibility to make personalised analyses on microdata files can be conducted in the ADELE Laboratory (Analisi di Dati ELEmentari), which is a Research data centre (RDC), in other words, a "secure" site accessible by researchers and academics where they are enable to conduct their own statistical analyses on microdata produced by the Institute's surveys. This have to be in compliance with legislation concerning the confidentiality of personal data ("Code of conduct and professional practice applying to processing of personal data for statistical and scientific purposes " - Annex A.4, Legislative Decree no. 196 of 30th June 2003).  
8. Release policy

[heading only, for details see below]

8.1 Release calendar

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Main  provisional data of 2012 were disseminated in February of 2013,  just  the day before an important  public event in the tourism sector called "International Tourism Exchange", held in Milan yearly. These data are collected in the "Statistics Report" series, with comments and  tables. At national level, aggregated data and definitive microdata are disseminated by the end of November 2013. In particular, aggregated data contribute in filling in the national data warehouse "I.stat". The schedule of statistical release dates at national level is yearly based  (http://www.istat.it/en/information/journalists/press-calendar).  
8.2 Release calendar access

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 The access to the monthly release calendar is free, on the main page of the web site of institute: http://www.istat.it/en/. The complete yearly press calendar is on page: http://www.istat.it/en/information/journalists/press-calendar        
8.3 Release policy - user access

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
   
9. Frequency of dissemination

[Not applicable]

10. Accessibility and clarity

[heading only, for details see below]

10.1 Dissemination format - News release
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 A regular report ("Statistical report") of the reference year with provisional data on trips and tourists, by year and quarters, is disseminated to the press and on the web site  on page http://www.istat.it/en/archive/83351  
10.2 Dissemination format - Publications
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 The only scheduled publication for this year is the "Statistical report" with provisional data on trips and tourists by year and quarters disseminated on the web site (http://www.istat.it/en/archive/83351)  
10.3 Dissemination format - online database
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 I.Stat is the datawarehouse of statistics produced by Istat, a complete and homogeneous wealth of information unique for the Italian official statistics (http://dati.istat.it/?lang=en).  Access to I.Stat is open and free of charge. Statistics are organised by theme in a two-level hierarchical tree. Data are presented in aggregate form in multidimensional tables; acting on variables, reference periods and the arrangement of heads and sides users can create custom tables and graphs. The system can be searched by keyword, theme and region. A wide range of standard metadata facilitates the understanding of statistics by users. I.Stat’s contents are constantly upgraded.  
10.4 Dissemination format - microdata access
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Microdata are disseminated yearly by standard microdata files free of charge (http://www.istat.it/en/products/microdata-files#file_standard)  
10.5 Dissemination format - other
Brief overview of the main additional national indicators (e.g. coverage of age groups outside the scope of the Regulation; same-day visits; activities during the visit; etc…). This can also include information from other sources, as long as it is published as official statistics by the NSI or equivalent ESS partner.
 Microdata and aggregated data are published regularly since 1997 referring to all age groups.
10.6 Documentation on methodology
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Documentation on methodology of the survey  is collected into SIQual on the page http://siqual.istat.it/SIQual/visualizza.do?id=0098401. SIQual is the Istat's information system on quality. It contains information on the characteristics of Istat's primary surveys and secondary studies as well as on activities performed to guarantee the quality of statistical information.  In particular, a volume on the methodology of the survey has been written in 2003 (in Italian language) (http://www3.istat.it/dati/catalogo/20030717_01/). Moreover, when aggregated data and microdata are disseminated, a methodological document is always attached (the English version referred to 2009 is on page http://www.istat.it/en/archive/12948)  
10.7 Quality management - documentation
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Quality tools have been developed by Istat in order to improve the quality of statistical processes and products, consistently with Istat's mission and according to the framework of the European Statistical System. Useful is the volume  "Quality Guidelines for Statistical Processes" (http://www.istat.it/en/files/2011/11/QualityGuidelines_EngVers_1.11.pdf) and  the Information System on Quality (SIQual: http://siqual.istat.it/SIQual/welcome.do). The survey complies with Guidelines for Statistical Processes which contain the principles to be followed in planning, executing and assessing statistical processes. The guidelines also specify the quality requirements that statistics should be compliant with.  
11. Quality management

[heading only, for details see below]

11.1 Quality assurance

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1

Survey 2 (if applicable)

   
11.2 Quality management - assessment
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 "Timeliness and punctuality are the main strengths of the survey because provisional data are disseminated after 40 days from the last day of the reference period and complete results after180 days. There is not any time lag between the actual delivery of the data and the target date when it should have been delivered. Accuracy is taken into consideration both for provisional and definitive estimates. Procedures of editing and imputation aim to obtain definitive estimates, adjusting more in depth single items. Aggregated definitive estimates of trips, nights and tourists do not change much respect to the provisional ones. Accuracy, in particular the editing and imputation procedures, partially affects timeliness, even if this makes more detailed estimates possible. Relevance has always been highly considered, even if comparability over time has been sometimes affected by the necessity to meet user needs. However the guidelines allow users to compare data over time. In case of series break due to structural changes (such us change in the technique or new data from Census of population) the main variables are re-built over last years, avoiding the series break."  
12. Relevance

[heading only, for details see below]

12.1 Relevance - User Needs
National level
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 The survey generally meets current and potential user needs. In particular, users have always asked to provide an higher degree of disaggregation in geographical breakdown of residence and it will be possible by the survey carries in 2014.  

 

European level
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
See: Regulation 692/2011 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:192:0017:0032:EN:PDF) See: Regulation 692/2011 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:192:0017:0032:EN:PDF)
12.2 Relevance - User Satisfaction

(OPTIONAL)

Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
   
12.3 Completeness
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 The survey fully complies with requirements and recommendations laid down in the Regulation 692/2011 and Methodological Manual for tourism statistics respectively  
13. Accuracy

[heading only, for details see below]

13.1 Accuracy - overall
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)

 The main sources of error of the estimates are sampling errors, nonresponse errors (unit and item) and measurement errors.

As regard the first ones, they are assessed by statistical model; the thresholds are calculated for the main estimates (tourists, trips and nights) and the main domains (geographical breakdown and main type of  trips) and, when necessary, for other estimates.

Nonresponse errors due to units nonresponse, are monitored by indicators in order to prevent and reduce them. This can be reached with actions made before the data collection starts (interviewing technique to avoid refusal, letters to households), when the data collection is in progress (monitoring activities) and after data collection, by using calibration estimators (this is partially useful to avoid undercoverage errors).

Measurement errors and item nonresponse errors, which are monitored by indicators and reports, are corrected by control and editing procedures. Coverage errors due to overcoverage errors are solved by excluding out of scope units. Other errors due to the frame (such as duplications or mobile phone numbers) are checked and resolved. In order to preserve the sample by unit cancellations, it is oversized.

 
13.2 Sampling error

[not applicable, see ESQRS report item 5.2]

13.3 Non-sampling error

Non sampling errors include: 

- Coverage errors due to:

1) over-coverage (units which are not eligible for the survey but which are included in the sample due to the lack of information);

2) under-coverage (residents who do not have phone number publicly/mobile phone only/nophone at all, are not included in the sample);

3) duplication of certain units (residents who have double phone numbers in the frame);

4) clusters of units (when two or more housholds have the same phone number publicly inthe frame). The most significant phenomena seem to be over-and under-coverage.

- Measurement errors
1) by interviewers: not understanding or misinterpreting the respondents answers, typing errors; 

2) by respondents: not understanding the questions, not knowing the answers.

Non-response error: they refer to

1) unit non-response: they can be "vountary" because  they refuse to answer the questionnaire due to hostility, lack of interest, lack of availability, suspicion, etc.; otherwise unit non-response can be "non-voluntary" because they can not be able to  provide the information due to other reasons such as diseases, dialect, mourning, foreign language, maximum call limit met of appointments, no answer and always busy with at least one appointment, temporarily absent.;

2) item non-response: significant item non-response are only for variables that refer to expenditures. For dealing with item non-response imputation methods are used. 

The total unit non-response rate in 2012 was 39%, whereas the unit non-response rate referred to the eligible units was 23%.

14. Timeliness and punctuality

[heading only, for details see below]

14.1 Timeliness
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 40  

 

14.2 Punctuality
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 2012 annual data on tourism trips have been transmitted to Eurostat 3 days before the deadline.  
15. Coherence and comparability

Adequacy of statistics to be reliably combined in different ways and for various uses.

[heading only, for details see below]

15.1 Comparability - geographical
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)

The survey fulfills the geographical comparability because the sample is representative of all regions of the country.

 
15.2 Comparability - over time
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)

The survey has been implemented in 1997 with comparable data series over time. When the Census occurrs (2001 and 2011), data series are replaced for 2 years after census, in order to guarantee the time series comparability. This was done for Census 2001 and it will be done for Census 2011 in the next year.

 
15.3 Coherence - cross domain
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)

Data from demand side are compared with other two sources. In particular, data on the outbound flows (overnights and trips) are compared with data from National Bank of Italy, whereas data on domestic overnights spent in rented accommodation are compared with data from supply side on nights spent by resident in Italy in collective accommodation. The comparison between demand side and supply side is limited to that type of collective accommodation which is similar.

 
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Data from demand side are compared with data from National Bank of Italy (outbound overnights and trips), and with data from supply side (domestic nights spent by resident in Italy in collective accommodation). Data can be different due to some aspects such as the data collection tecnique, the target population, the units, population, the imputation methods, the frequency of the survey and so on,  but all these elements are taken into when comparisons are made.  
15.4 Coherence - internal

[not applicable]

16. Cost and Burden

[Standardised information on cost and burden is not systematically collected]

17. Data revision

[heading only, for details see below]

17.1 Data revision - policy
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
First results are generally disseminated in t+40 days from the last day of the reference period t. Definitive data are trasmitted to Eurostat in 40 days + 4 months and disseminated at national level in 40 days+8 months.  

[heading only, for details see below]

17.2 Data revision - practice
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)

Yearly provisional results are revised when they are disseminated as definitive.  The procedures of editing and imputation aim to obtain definitive estimates, adjusting more in depth single items. Deterministic and probabilistic methods are used.  The definitive estimates of trips, nights and tourists do not change much respect to the provisional ones, whereas there are no provisional results published for expenditure data. 

 
18. Statistical processing

[heading only, for details see below]

18.1 Source data
  Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
20.1.1. Source data  Survey  
20.1.2. Population frame  Archive of private fixed telephone line subscribers  
20.1.3. Update of population frame  Quarterly  
20.1.4. Coverage errors of population frame  Undercoverage or overcoverage of frame are well known. Coverage errors can be due to: 1) over-coverage; 2) under-coverage; 3) duplication of certain units; 4) clusters of units when certain elements in the frame contain clusters of elements of the target population. The most significant phenomena appear to be over-and under-coverage. Cases of over-coverage include all telephone numbers of second homes, business enterprises and public establishments etc. Conversely, cases of under-coverage include households without a telephone line subscription. Case of duplication comprises households with more than one main residence telephone number. Case of clusters  are phone numbers that correspond to more than one household. The distortion effect due to undercoverage can be partially attenuated using estimation procedures known as calibration estimators, which take into account known totals (derived from sources outside the survey) of the population with regard to auxiliary variables correlated with those under investigation. The distortion effect due to overcoverage can be overcome with an over-sized sample or a list of substitute units. In this survey, substitution is adopted.  
20.1.5. Study population or gross sample size  54 177  
20.1.6. Net sample size  32 856  
20.1.7. Sampling design and methodology  Single-stage stratified cluster sampling  
18.2 Frequency of data collection
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Quarterly  
18.3 Data collection
20.3. Data collection Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
20.3.1. Type of survey  Household survey  
20.3.2. Data collection methods  Data collection is made by CATI technique. It is conducted by a private enterprise. The interviewers are regularly trained by Istat with quarterly briefing/refreshing. The test of electronic questionnaire is also quarterly conducted by Istat   
20.3.3. Proxy interviews  Proxy interviews are accepted because only one adult person (aged 18+) per household answers both for him/herself and for all the other components of the household. As a consequence, the number of proxy interviews can be deducted by the subtraction between the net sample size and number of households: 18.832 proxy interviews.  
20.3.4. Survey vehicle  Stand-alone survey  
20.3.5. Average interview time  Not available  
18.4 Data validation
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Process of monitoring the results of data compilation is made by controlling time series of the same survey and comparing with data from other surveys or sources.  
18.5 Data compilation
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Data compilation has different phases. Data editing and imputation is done by using different approaches: fully deterministic procedures and mixed procedures with deterministic detection and probabilistic imputation. Subsequently there are weighting and grossing-up procedures and calibration.  
18.6 Adjustment

[not applicable]

19. Comment
21.1. Name of the data collection(s) in national language
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Viaggi e Vacanze  

 

21.2. Name of the data collection(s) in English (if available)
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Trips and Holidays  

 

21.3. Questionnaire(s) in national language
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Not available  

 

21.4. Questionnaire(s) in English (if available)
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Not available  

 

21.5. Interviewer instructions in English (if applicable, if available)
Survey 1 Survey 2 (if applicable)
 Not available