Methodology and Quality Update

 Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

09/04/2026

Statistical Presentation

Data description

Tourism Establishments Statistics present data on employees in tourism activities, in addition to indicators of tourist accommodation facilities at the level of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its administrative regions.
The tourism establishments statistics are data collected on the main characteristics as follows:
•    Employees in tourism activities and their characteristics.
•    Room occupancy in tourist accommodation facilities.
•    Average daily room rate in tourist accommodation facilities.
•    Length of stay in tourist accommodation facilities.
Data is also used to estimate: 
•    Contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total employees in the economy.
•    The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the private sector.
•    The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the public and private sectors (excluding domestic workers).

Classifications

The National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4) is applied to the statistics of tourism establishments:
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4), and it is used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
The classifications are available on GASTAT’s website:
The National Classification for Economic Activities

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts of tourism establishments statistics:
•    Statistical unit: 
It is the smallest independent part of the overall framework on which the statistical study is conducted. It has a fixed location and is used as a basis for data collection.
•    Establishment:
It is an economic unit with a legal entity and a fixed location, where specific economic activity is carried out. It is owned by an individual, a group of individuals, a company, or a semi-governmental sector. It is the smallest economic unit that can have data on employees and their financial compensation, expenditures, revenues, and capital formations.
•    Employees:
All individuals (Saudis and non-Saudis) who actually perform work for the establishment, whether for pay or without pay, including the owners of the establishment, their relatives, or employees. This includes those working full-time or part-time, on a permanent or temporary basis, whether male or female. 
•    Compensation of employees (payable): 
All amounts payable periodically by the establishment to its employees during the year, including wages and salaries for normal working hours, as well as fixed allowances, in addition to all types of benefits such as housing allowance, social insurance contributions, insurance, transport allowance, etc.
•    Salaries and wages:
All cash payments paid periodically by the establishment to its employees in return for normal working hours, as well as fixed allowances, before any deductions by the employer in respect of taxes, employees’ contributions to social insurance and pension schemes, life insurance premiums, trade union fees, and other employees’ obligations.
•    Benefits and allowances: 
All cash and in-kind payments provided by the employer to its employees, other than salaries and wages. These payments include all types of allowances and benefits, such as scholarships, education, and medical expenses for employees and their dependents, as well as payments for food or housing, transport allowance, overtime allowance, etc.
•    Tourist accommodation facilities:
A place used by a tourist temporarily for accommodation in return for a fee.
•    Serviced apartments and other tourist accommodation facilities:
Refers to all tourist accommodation facilities other than hotels and resorts, with serviced apartments being among the main categories. 
•    Tourist:
A tourist is a person who spends at least one night outside his usual environment.

Data sources

The tourism establishments statistics rely on several data sources, detailed as follows:
Primary source of Tourism Establishments Statistics: Administrative records from the following entities:
•    Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
•    Ministry of Tourism.
The main published variables from the administrative data source are:
•    Number of employees in tourism activities.
•    Room occupancy rate in tourist hospitality facilities.
•    Average daily room rate in tourist hospitality facilities.
•    Average length of stay of guests in tourist hospitality facilities.
Secondary source of Tourism Establishments Statistics: Statistical surveys, represented by the Tourism Establishments Survey.
The main variables published from statistical surveys are:
•    Number of employees in tourism activities.
Third source of Tourism Establishments Statistics: The following secondary data:
•    Labor market administrative statistics.
•    Structural business statistics.
The main variables published from secondary data are:
•    The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the economy.
•    The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the private sector.
•    The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the public and private sectors (excluding domestic workers).

Designing the data collection tool

Data is collected using a questionnaire prepared and designed by specialists at the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The data collection tool is developed in an electronic format (CAPI) to ensure ease of use by field researchers. In its design, international recommendations, standards, and definitions are taken into account. The questionnaire is also shared with relevant entities to obtain their views and feedback. Furthermore, the questions are formulated clearly and scientifically to standardize the wording and guidance of questions. 
Sections of the questionnaire :
•    Establishment data.
•    Employee data.
•    Operating expenses.
•    Operating revenues.
•    Change in assets and liabilities. 

Review and validation rules:
Validation and consistency rules are incorporated into the questionnaire to ensure that the collected data is consistent, accurate, and logical. These rules are developed by establishing logical relationships between responses, questions, and various variables to assist field researchers in detecting any errors directly during data entry.
To ensure the quality of the Tourism Establishments Survey data, three types of review and validation rules are applied, as follows:
•    Navigation rules between sections and fields:
Special rules were programmed to control automated navigation between sections and fields based on the respondent’s inputs, totaling 11 rules.
•    Error rules:
 Rules that cannot be bypassed during the data entry process. Field researchers are required to correct the data by referring back to the respondent to verify its accuracy. The number of these rules exceeds 28.
•    Warning rules:
Rules established to verify the accuracy of data entry. Field researchers may override these rules if the data is confirmed to be correct. The number of these rules is 12. Data is collected using a questionnaire prepared and designed by specialists at the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The data collection tool is developed in an electronic format (CAPI) to ensure ease of use by field researchers. In its design, international recommendations, standards, and definitions are taken into account. The questionnaire is also shared with relevant entities to obtain their views and feedback. Furthermore, the questions are formulated in a clear and scientific manner to standardize the wording of questions. 
Sections of the questionnaire :
•    Establishment data.
•    Employee data.
•    Operating expenses.
•    Operating revenues.
•    Change in assets and liabilities. 

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

A cognitive test was conducted on several questionnaire questions. Interviews were carried out on a random sample of establishments distributed across the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
During the cognitive testing process, the following evaluation pillars were taken into consideration: The overall concept of the question, clarity of question wording, clarity of the terms used in the question, appropriateness of response options, participants’ ability to answer the questions effectively, and the extent to which participants are willing to provide responses were assessed, leading to the preparation of a report summarizing the overall results of the cognitive test.

Statistical population

The statistical population of Tourism Establishments Statistics consists of three interrelated populations with three main characteristics, developed based on an integrated approach between statistical surveys and administrative records, as follows:
First:  Tourism Establishments Survey sampling frame population.
It includes all establishments engaged in tourism economic activities within the business sector during the reference period and listed in the approved business register after applying the eligibility criteria related to activity and operational status. It is used as the basis for designing the survey sample and estimating structural and operational indicators of the tourism sector.
Second:  Comprehensive enumeration population of employees in tourism activities.
It includes all employees registered in the administrative records of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and affiliated with establishments whose activities are classified as tourism activities based on the establishment’s main economic activity. The main activity is determined based on the most localized activity (i.e., the activity with the highest proportion of Saudi employees within the establishment) for statistical classification purposes.
Third:  Comprehensive enumeration population of licensed tourist accommodation facilities.
It includes all tourist accommodation facilities licensed by the Ministry of Tourism during the reference period, representing approximately 75% of the total facilities registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Tourism Establishments Survey sampling frame. It is used to calculate capacity and operational indicators of tourist accommodation facilities in the Kingdom.

Sample Design

The sample is designed using a stratified systematic random sampling method, whereby establishments are selected systematically within each stratum of the adopted sampling design.
Stratification:
To increase the efficiency of the sample and improve its representation of the target population, establishments in the sampling frame were classified into homogeneous strata. In order to obtain more accurate results compared to a simple random sample of the same size, and to provide a sufficient number of establishments at publishable levels, the stratification was applied across three levels as follows: 
•    Stratification at the fourth-level classification of economic activity (ISIC4).
•    Stratification at the level of administrative regions.
•    Stratification by establishment size categories, which are:

-    Micro enterprises: Establishments with 1 to 5 employees.
-   Small enterprises: Establishments with 6 to 49 employees.
-   Medium enterprises: Establishments with 50 to 249 employees.
-   Large enterprises: Establishments with more than 249 employees.

Sample size:
The sample size is calculated at the level of each stratum h within the study domain (economic activity at the division level of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4)). 
The resulting sample size for each study domain is then distributed across establishment size categories and subsequently across administrative regions using the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) allocation method. This method reduces the variance of sampling weights, thereby reducing the variance of estimates, and enhancing the efficiency of the sampling design. The sample size is also adjusted at the level of each study domain to ensure a minimum acceptable number of establishments, enabling sufficient response for the publication of accurate estimates of the targeted indicators. In addition, all medium and large 

establishments are included in the sample with a 100% selection probability due to their importance.
The above calculations resulted in a total sample size of 38,132 establishments, distributed as shown in the tables below:
Table1: Distribution of the survey sample at the section level of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4).

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit in the tourism establishments statistics survey is the establishment.

Data collection

Data collection from the survey:
Data is collected through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), computer-assisted web interviews (CAWI), and computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI).
Data collection from administrative records:
Data is collected from administrative records in coordination with the relevant departments at the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), which is responsible for data collection and management. The administrative records for the Tourism Establishments Statistics publication are obtained from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Tourism. These records include data on establishments and on the number of employees in tourism activities, and indicators of tourist accommodation facilities. 
These data are stored in GASTAT databases after verification and review processes in accordance with approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. The data source is referred to in cases where errors are detected or observations are identified.

Data collection frequency 

Data collection for Tourism Establishments Statistics from administrative records and secondary data is conducted on a quarterly basis.

Reference area

Tourism Establishments Statistics cover all 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

All data related to Tourism Establishments Statistics, derived from administrative records and secondary data, are based on the period from the first day to the last day of the reference quarter.

Base period

Not applicable, as the Tourism Establishments Statistics publication provides data and indicators on a periodic basis to measure changes over time and is not compared to a fixed base period.

Measurement unit

•    Some results are measured in numbers, such as: Number of employees.
•    Some indicators are calculated as rates, such as: Room occupancy rate.
•    Some results are calculated as percentages, such as: The contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the economy.

Time coverage

Data is available from 2010 to the current quarter of 2025.

Publication frequency

Results of Tourism Establishments Statistics are published quarterly in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

A set of automated validation rules is developed within the survey data collection tool to ensure the quality and accuracy of inputs. These rules include:
•    28 error rules to detect illogical or out-of-range values.
•    12 warning rules to detect unusual values requiring review.
•    11 navigation rules to ensure consistency in the flow of responses.
These rules cover the validation of outliers, missing values, logical relationships between variables, and the internal consistency of responses.
Data for the reference year is also compared with data from previous periods to identify any unusual changes that require verification. The outputs are then subject to technical review by specialists to ensure the integrity of processing before the final results are approved.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Statistical survey data is integrated with administrative records using standardized classifications (such as the National Classification of Economic Activities) to ensure consistency in defining the statistical unit and the main activity.
In cases where discrepancies between sources are identified, the causes of variation are analyzed, and reference is made to the most complete or most recent data source in accordance with approved internal guidelines.

Imputation and calibration

In cases of missing values in survey data, statistical imputation methods based on establishment characteristics within the same category or activity are applied to preserve consistency and avoid distortion of overall trends.
For administrative data, logical and temporal consistency is verified, and the data-providing entity is consulted when necessary. Survey results are used as a complementary reference in limited cases to ensure integration between data sources.
The statistical processing procedures described above aim to reduce processing errors and enhance the internal consistency of the data. However, these procedures do not eliminate all sources of statistical uncertainty. Residual risks may remain related to coverage limitations, non-response patterns, administrative data constraints, and exceptional estimation periods. These aspects are discussed in detail in Section Six (Quality Dimensions – Accuracy and Reliability).
Data sources of main indicators and applied statistical estimation methods in Tourism Establishments Statistics:

Method of calculating the indicators:
GASTAT adopts internationally recognized formulas in calculating the main indicators of Tourism Establishments Statistics, as follows:
•    Room Occupancy Rate = (number of rooms sold / number of rooms available) x 100
•    Average Daily Rate per Room = Room Revenue / Rooms Sold.
•    Average length of stay = number of nights/number of guests.
•    Contribution of employees in tourism activities to the total number of employees in the economy = (Number of employees in tourism activities / (Number of employees in the government sector + public sector + private sector + domestic workers)) × 100
Contribution of those employed in tourism activities to total employment in the private sector = (number of those employed in tourism activities/number of registered employees in the private sector) * 100

Seasonal adjustments

Periodic analyses are based on comparing results with the same period of the previous year to ensure accurate interpretation of changes. Seasonal adjustment methods are not applied unless necessary and in accordance with approved statistical methodologies.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Some results may be published on a preliminary basis and are subsequently subject to revision when more complete data becomes available or after the completion of verification processes. Any significant differences between preliminary and final results are disclosed to ensure transparency.

Used Resources

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion that indicates the extent to which the product meets users’ needs.

User needs 

Internal users at the General Authority for Statistics of tourism establishments statistics data:
•    Statistics of national accounts.
•    Business, investment, and international trade Statistics.
Several external users significantly benefit from the data of the Tourism Establishments Statistics, including:
•    Government entities.
•    Regional and international organizations.
•     Research institutions.
•    Media. 
•    Individuals. 
Key variables most utilized by external users: 

Completeness 

Tourism Establishments Statistics data is based on several sources, including administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data, to provide comprehensive information on tourism activities in the Kingdom. These data are characterized by a high level of coverage within the scope of the approved data systems, noting that coverage remains subject to the limitations of the statistical framework and the data sources used.
The data may not cover some informal establishments or newly registered establishments that have not yet been included in administrative records or the survey frame. Coverage may also be affected by the timing of updates to data sources. Continuous efforts are made to update statistical frames and enhance integration between data sources to improve coverage over time.

Accuracy and reliability 

A measure that indicates how close calculations or estimates are to the true or exact values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

The accuracy of Tourism Establishments Statistics reflects the degree to which published estimates are close to actual values in reality, taking into account that the data may be affected by factors such as coverage limitations, non-response, and differences in the nature of data sources. The level of accuracy is assessed through a set of validation and verification procedures aimed at identifying unusual changes and ensuring the logical and temporal consistency of the data.
•    Data is compared with previous years to identify any significant changes that may reflect unjustified differences or effects related to data collection or processing.
•    The internal consistency of the data is verified before finalization, including the alignment of totals with detailed data and the logical relationships between variables.
•    Relationships between variables are examined, and consistency across different data series is verified, contributing to reducing the impact of unjustified variation over time.
Despite the application of these procedures, a limited degree of statistical uncertainty may remain, particularly during exceptional periods (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) or when changes occur in data sources. However, these effects are not expected to materially affect the overall trends of the indicators.

Timeliness and punctuality 

Timeliness: A measure that indicates the length of time between the availability of the information and the occurrence of the event.
Punctuality: Reflects the time difference between the actual date of data release and the scheduled release date.

Timeliness 

The General Authority for Statistics is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement, clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as outlined in the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly. 

Punctuality 

The publication is released according to the dates specified in the statistical calendar for Tourism Establishments Statistics published on the website of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

A standard that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal consistency of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.

Comparability - geographical

The data is internationally and locally comparable at the level of administrative regions in the Kingdom, as it is based on unified statistical standards and classifications.

Comparability - over time 

Tourism Establishments Statistics began in 2010 as annual statistics and has since undergone several methodological developments related to data sources and publication frequency. Users should take these developments into account when making time series comparisons, particularly when analyzing long-term series.
The statistics have gone through the following stages:
•    2010 – 2016:
Primary reliance on the results of the Economic Survey of Establishments.
•    2016 – 2018:
Primary reliance on the Tourism Establishments Survey.
•    2019 – 2020:
Increased reliance on administrative records and statistical models due to the COVID-19 pandemic
•    2021 – 2022:
Integration of administrative records and Tourism Establishments Survey results.
•    Since 2023:
Reliance on administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data, with a transition to quarterly publication.
Despite maintaining core definitions and classifications such as ISIC4, changes in data sources or publication frequency may affect the precise comparability between certain periods. The nature of the indicators should also be taken into account when making comparisons, as some indicators represent point-in-time measures, while others are calculated as period averages.
In general, overall trends remain comparable over time, provided that changes are interpreted in light of the methodological and economic context of each period.

Coherence- Cross domain

Tourism Establishments Statistics data is consistent across different administrative regions, as the same definitions, concepts, and classifications are applied. It is also verified that data collected from all sources is subject to standardized verification procedures to ensure comparability across administrative regions and tourism activities. 

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Tourism Establishments Statistics are published on a quarterly basis starting from the first quarter of 2023. For some indicators used for annual purposes (such as the number of employees and the number of tourist accommodation facilities), the annual value represents the value of the fourth quarter of the reference year, as it reflects the status of the indicator at the end of the period. It is not calculated by aggregating or averaging quarterly data.
In contrast, performance indicators for tourist accommodation facilities—such as room occupancy rate, average daily room rate, and average length of stay—are calculated for analytical purposes as annual averages, based on quarterly data for the reference year, to reflect the overall performance of the indicator throughout the year.
The Tourism Establishments Survey is also conducted on an annual basis to support the quality of estimates and enhance the integration of data sources. Its results are used, when necessary, for methodological verification or to support estimation processes.
Users should take into account that annual indicators differ in their calculation methods depending on their nature; some represent point-in-time measures (end-of-period measures), while others are calculated as annual averages reflecting average performance over the year. This does not indicate a difference in the methodological framework but rather relates to the nature of each indicator. 

Coherence- National Accounts 

The publication data is aligned with the requirements of national accounts through the use of standard economic classifications (such as the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC)). The results of this publication are also used as inputs in estimating the contribution of the tourism sector to GDP within the framework of the national accounts. In addition, coordination is carried out with national accounts statistics to ensure consistency between the publication results and the macroeconomic indicators.

Coherence- Internal 

Estimates of Tourism Establishments Statistics exhibit a high degree of internal consistency, as they are based on the same data sources and estimation methods, while noting that minor differences may arise due to updates or periodic revisions.

Accessibility and clarity

The accessibility of data for users, the availability of detailed or aggregated data, as well as the availability of the methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 10.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
Press release

Publications

GASTAT issues Tourism establishment statistics Publications and Reports on a regular basis within a pre-prepared dissemination plan and are published on GASTAT’s website. The Authority ensures that its results are published in a manner that serves all types of users, including publications in various formats, such as data tables, charts of data and indicators, the Methodology and Quality Report, and the questionnaires used, in both Arabic and English.
Results of Tourism Establishments Statistics are available on:
Tourism establishments statistics

Online database

Not available. 

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

The General Authority for Statistics adopts a unified methodology in carrying out all its statistical work, according to the nature of each statistical product. It relies on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), which aligns with the procedures adopted by international organizations, and is implemented in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the quality and efficiency of statistical operations. For more details, you can refer to the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) via the following link:
Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) 
The concepts, definitions, issues, and classifications are based on international standards from the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations, represented by:
International recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008:
It is a comprehensive guideline and methodological framework for the collection and production of tourism statistics in all countries, regardless of the level of development of their statistical systems and serves as the authoritative statistical reference for tourism statistics.
https://unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/seriesm/seriesm_83rev1e.pdf
International recommendations for Tourism Statistics 2008 (compilation guide):
It is the compilation guide that provides further clarifications and practical guidance on the use of sources and methods
for compiling tourism statistics. It is designed to support the production of a high-quality set of core data and indicators
in each country, and to enhance the international comparability of tourism statistics.
https://unstats.un.org/unsd/tourism/publications/E-IRTS-Comp-Guide%202008%20For%20Web.pdf
Tourism satellite account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008:
It is the methodological guide for constructing the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) in countries, providing comprehensive details for measuring both the demand
and supply sides of tourism and deriving indicators of tourism’s economic contribution.
seriesf_80rev1e.pdf
Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism 2024 (Final Draft):
It is an internationally agreed framework that describes key concepts, definitions, and data organization structures to support the production and organization of
tourism statistics and data on the impacts and dependencies of tourism on the economy, society, and the environment.
 bg-4a-sf-mst-e.pdf
Measuring Employment in the Tourism Industries 2014:
It is an international framework that sets out the concepts, definitions, and methodologies for measuring the volume of tourism-related employment, with the aim of providing accurate data to support policies and sustainable development.
https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284416158

Quality assurance

GASTAT ensures that the following principles are taken into account: Impartiality; ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented; quality of processes and outputs; effectiveness of statistical operations; and reduction of the burden on respondents. 
Data is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, such as data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

The General Authority for Statistics carries out all statistical activities in accordance with the national model, namely the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). Within the GSBPM framework, the overall evaluation stage represents the final phase of the statistical process, during which information collected across all phases and sub-processes is used to prepare an evaluation report that summarizes all challenges related to the quality of each statistical process and serves as an input for improvement and development actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data of SMEs survey are presented in right tables in order to summarize, understand, as well as extract their results. Moreover, to compare them with other data, and to obtain statistical significance about the selected study population. However, referring to such data indicated in tables is much easier than going back to check the original questionnaire that may include some data like names and addresses of individuals, and names of data providers, which violates data confidentiality of statistical data.
“Anonymity of data” is one of the most important procedures. To keep data confidential,

GASTAT removed information on individual persons, households, or business entities in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly, such as by name, address, contact number, identity number, etc., or indirectly by combining different, especially rare, characteristics of respondents, such as age, occupation, education, etc.

Dissemination policy

Statistical calendar

Tourism Establishment Statistics are included in the statistical calendar. 
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients’ needs; therefore, it provides them with the results of the Tourism Establishments Statistics publication immediately upon release.
Customer questions and inquiries regarding the publication and its results are also received through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official email address:  info@stats.gov.sa
•    Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•    Official letters.
•    Statistical telephone: (199009).