This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from United States statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from American statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other American-specific metadata information.

Method of computation

To be defined

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 12.b.1: Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
Target

Target 12.b: Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Organisation

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Definition and concepts

Definitions: The indicator “Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability” relates to the degree of implementation in countries of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) and the System of Environmental and Economic Accounts (SEEA) tables that are to date considered most relevant and feasible for monitoring sustainability in tourism. These tables are:

  • TSA Table 1 on inbound tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 2 on domestic tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 3 on outbound tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 4 on internal tourism consumption
  • TSA Table 5 on production accounts of tourism industries
  • TSA Table 6 domestic supply and internal tourism consumption
  • TSA Table 7 on employment in tourism industries
  • SEEA table water flows
  • SEEA table energy flows
  • SEEA table GHG emissions
  • SEEA table solid waste

The TSA tables should be implemented following the Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008 and the environmental tables should be implemented following the System of Economic-Environmental Accounting 2012.

Concepts:

The concepts and template presentation tables related to Tourism Satellite Accounts can be found in the Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008 (TSA: RMF 2008) which provides the common conceptual framework for constructing a TSA. It adopts the basic system of concepts, classifications, definitions, tables and aggregates of the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA 2008). The UN Statistical Commission took note of the TSA: RMF 2008 document at its 39th session (26-29 February 2008), which updates and replaces the previous TSA: RMF 2000 that was approved by the United Nations Statistical Commission at its 31st session (29 February-3 March 2000).

The concepts and template presentation tables related to water, energy, Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and solid waste can be found in System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Central Framework (SEEA-CF). The SEEA-CF is an international statistical standard for measuring the environment and its relationship with the economy. It contains an internationally agreed set of standard concepts, definitions, classifications, accounting rules and tables to produce internationally comparable statistics. The UN Statistical Commission adopted the SEEA Central Framework at its 43rd session (28 February – 2 March 2012).

Unit of measure

Number of Tables/Accounts compiled
Data sources

The indicator is sourced from countries’ Tourism Satellite Account and Environmental-Economic Accounts.
Data providers

For implementation of the TSA: all official entities, usually National Statistics Offices and/or National Tourism Administrations.

For implementation the SEEA: all official entities, usually National Statistics Offices and/or environment ministries.
Comment and limitations

The indicator in principle does not account for different degrees of consolidation in the implementation of TSA and SEEA (ranging from experimental to full-fledged implementation), which might vary between countries.

Method of computation

Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability = total number of tables produced by countries out of the tables identified below:

  • TSA Table 1 on inbound tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 2 on domestic tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 3 on outbound tourism expenditure
  • TSA Table 4 on internal tourism consumption
  • TSA Table 5 on production accounts of tourism industries
  • TSA Table 6 domestic supply and internal tourism consumption
  • TSA Table 7 on employment in tourism industries
  • SEEA table water flows
  • SEEA table energy flows
  • SEEA table GHG emissions
  • SEEA table solid waste
Metadata update

2024-03-28
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Related indicators

8.9.1 Tourism Direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate

15.9.1 (a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting
UN designated tier

3
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