The Regional Statistics Committee (RSC-CAR) approved the inclusion of the academe and other tourism-related informal sector as members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) in the preparation of the Cordillera Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA).

The TWG decided to include the state universities and colleges (SUCs) and some private universities in the region to ensure provincial representation and to encourage the participation of various groups.

The preparation of the Cordillera Tourism Satellite Accounts is the first regional initiative in the country which aims to measure the contribution of tourism in the local economy.

The Cordillera TSA report shows that Baguio City remains as the major contributor to the regional economy with the highest share in internal tourism expenditure from 2016 to 2019.

In 2019, it contributed a total ₱ 322.09 billion in the CAR gross regional domestic product.

In terms of employment, 4 out of 100 are employed in tourism industries.

The expanded membership of the TWG will be instrumental in updating report by providing local data in coordination with the provincial tourism councils.

The report will be more relevant in building back the region's local economy with the inclusion of 2020 tourism estimates on expenditures and employment, among others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the tourism industry due to the travel restrictions in an attempt to contain its spread.

The Committee created the TWG in 2018 composed of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-CAR) as the Chair, the Department of Tourism as the Co-Chair, and local government units, regional line agencies and private organizations as members.

The group is tasked to contribute to the compilation of tourism data from 2016 to 2019 which will serve as basis in identifying policies and programs for the tourism industry in the region.

The National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office (NRO) contributes to this initiative as member of the TWG and Chair of the RSC-CAR.
(Joseph Manzano, RPN DZBS Baguio OIC with reports from NEDA-Car)