Trips of EU residents - annual data (tour_dem)

National Reference Metadata in Euro SDMX Metadata Structure (ESMS)

Compiling agency: Central Statistics Office, Ireland


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Metadata update
3. Statistical presentation
4. Unit of measure
5. Reference Period
6. Institutional Mandate
7. Confidentiality
8. Release policy
9. Frequency of dissemination
10. Accessibility and clarity
11. Quality management
12. Relevance
13. Accuracy
14. Timeliness and punctuality
15. Coherence and comparability
16. Cost and Burden
17. Data revision
18. Statistical processing
19. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Central Statistics Office, Ireland
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Tourism and Travel Section
1.5. Contact mail address

Skehard Road, Cork T12 X00E, Ireland


2. Metadata update Top
2.1. Metadata last certified 03/11/2023
2.2. Metadata last posted 03/11/2023
2.3. Metadata last update 03/11/2023


3. Statistical presentation Top
3.1. Data description

The purpose of the Household Travel Survey (HTS) is to measure domestic and outbound travel patterns involving both overnight stays and same-day trips and associated details (expenditure, purpose of trip, type of accommodation used etc.) of Irish residents. Information is collected via postal survey of private households on a monthly basis by the Central Statistics Office.
3.2. Classification system

Not applicable.
3.3. Coverage - sector

National tourism: domestic tourism and outbound tourism (trips made by residents of the reporting country).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions

See Regulation 692/2011, Delegated Regulation 2019/1681 and Methodological Manual for Tourism Statistics
3.4.2 Additional comments (e.g. country-specific deviations)
3.5. Statistical unit
3.5.1 Statistical unit 

Participation in tourism: the individual.
Tourism trips: the tourism trip with at least one overnight stay made by the individual.
Same-day visits: the SDV made by the individual.
3.5.2 Reporting unit Each person in the selected household (within the age scope)
3.5.3 If other or additional comments, please specify
3.6. Statistical population
3.6.1 Statistical population

Participation in tourism: All residents aged 15 or over.

Tourism trips: All tourism trips of at least one overnight stay made outside the usual environment by the residents aged 15 or over

Same-day visits: All tourism same-day trips made outside the usual environment by the residents aged 15 or over
3.6.2 Additional comments (e.g. deviating coverage in terms of age groups, multiple surveys with different subpopulation, inclusion of domestic same-day visits in years where this is not compulsory)
3.7. Reference area

[Optional]
3.8. Coverage - Time

Coverage - Time [data comparable since (YYYY)]

3.8.1 Participation in tourism (Year)

2012
3.8.2 Tourism trips (Year)

2000
3.8.3 Same-day visits (outbound) (Year)

2014
3.8.4 Same-day visits (domestic) (Year)

2018
3.8.5 Additional comments (e.g. longer series for subgroups)
3.9. Base period

Not applicable.


4. Unit of measure Top

Not applicable.


5. Reference Period Top

2022


6. Institutional Mandate Top
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
6.1.1 European level

Regulation 692/2011

Regulation 1051/2011

Delegated Regulation 2019/1681
6.1.2 National level
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

Not applicable.


7. Confidentiality Top
7.1. Confidentiality - policy

The confidentiality of all information provided by respondents to the CSO is guaranteed by law under the Statistics Act, 1993. All CSO office personnel become 'Officers of Statistics' on appointment and are liable to penalties under this Act if they divulge confidential information to any outside person or body. See - https://www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/lgdp/csodatapolicies/informationfordataproviders/
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

Every precaution is taken to ensure that there are no violations of confidentiality during the HTS survey process. All forms are scanned and verified as soon as they are received in the office and the original forms are then stored in a secure and locked cabinet for a short period before they are destroyed (under specific conditions for confidential data). Data is published in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual or household can be identified.


8. Release policy Top
8.1. Release calendar

The deadlines for release of quarterly data are included in the advance calendar, which is available on the CSO website.
8.2. Release calendar access

https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/releasecalendar/
8.3. Release policy - user access

[Optional]


9. Frequency of dissemination Top

Quarterly


10. Accessibility and clarity Top
10.1. Dissemination format - News release

There are no press releases associated with the publication of HTS data.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Release of all data for 2022 can be found here -

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-hts/householdtravelsurveyquarter4andyear2022/
10.3. Dissemination format - online database

CSO Online Database -

https://data.cso.ie/product/HTSA
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

There is no microdata access to HTS data
10.5. Dissemination format - other

None
10.6. Documentation on methodology

Standard Report on Methods 

https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/tourismandtravel/householdtravelsurvey/
10.7. Quality management - documentation

Standard Report on Quality

https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/qualityreports/householdtravelsurvey/


11. Quality management Top
11.1. Quality assurance

Not applicable.

 
11.2. Quality management - assessment
11.2.1 Main strengths

The recall period for Household Travel Survey (HTS) is limited to one calendar month prior to the survey being issued and respondents are asked to outline trips completed within the reference month only. 

Outbound trips are calibrated to other CSO survey data on travel, and population estimates are updated for each survey period for grossing purposes.
11.2.2 Main weaknesses

Sample size is 4,600 households each month (a new sample is issued each month), but response rates are poor. It is also difficult to estimate for non-response, although there is non-response adjustment at a household level since 2020.
11.2.3 Quality improvements compared with previous reference year

A new Household Frame was developed and this has allowed the data processing to add non-response adjustment. A new calibration methodology was also introduced following the development of two new paper questionnaires which split the survey into two - a form for domestic trips and a form for outbound trips.


12. Relevance Top
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
12.1.1 European level

See: Regulation 692/2011
12.1.2 Main users on a national level

Failte Ireland, Toursim Ireland, Government, Economists, Academia, General Public, and within the CSO - National Accounts and Balance of Payments Divisions.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

[Optional]
12.3. Completeness
12.3.1 Completeness

Compliant with the requirements of Regulation on tourism statistics 692/2011, Delegated Regulation 2019/1681, as well as recommendations laid down in the Methodological Manual for tourism statistics.
12.3.2 If not, please specify why and list deviations from Reg.


13. Accuracy Top
13.1. Accuracy - overall

The HTS data published for 2022 was compiled as travel resumed following the COVID-19 crisis.  The results continue to reflect some of the impacts of the COVID-19 situation which includes small realised sample sizes for certain trip categories - particularly outbound trips in the first half of the year.

Non-response (unit and item) - the unit non-response rate for the realised sample is 68.7% for 2021. Approximately 8% of the original sample was returned to the office uncompleted (i.e. were blank).  At an item level the questions on age and gender can be sensitive and respondents may not be prepared to reveal this information. Respondents are also less likely to complete the expenditure questions.

Measurement errors - are not formally measured for the Household Travel Survey.

Processing errors - are not formally measured for the Household Travel Survey.
13.2. Sampling error

13.2.1 Sampling errors - indicators

Information on Sampling errors may also be provided in the attached file.  Estimated value Coefficient of variation
13.2.1.1 Participation in tourism for personal purposes: number of residents, aged 15 or over, having made at least 1 trip of at least 1 overnight stay (all age groups)

3,032,900
13.2.1.2 Participation in tourism for personal purposes: number of residents, aged 65 or over, having made at least 1 trip of at least 1 overnight stay

442,800
13.2.1.3 Tourism trips - Total number of trips

17,977,400
13.2.1.4 Domestic trips

10,517,100
13.2.1.5 Outbound trips

7,460,300
13.2.1.6 Private/Personal trips

16,961,800
13.2.1.7 Professional/business trips

1,015,600
13.2.1.8 Domestic trips spent at rented accommodation

6,017,600
13.2.1.9 Domestic trips spent at non-rented accommodation

4,499,500
13.2.1.10 Tourism trips - Total expenditure excluding durables and valuable goods

€9.4 billion
13.2.1.11 Expenditure on accommodation

€3.6 billion


13.2.2 Additional comments on sampling error

Sample size is 4,600 households each month (a new sample is issued each month). Due to financial constraints it is not possible to increase the size of the sample even though it may improve the quality of the data.

The coefficients of variation are not available.





 
13.3. Non-sampling error

13.3.1 Coverage errors

13.3.1.1 Over-coverage

The sampling frame is currently based on a CSO Household Frame which may not contain the most up-to-date information. This is something which the CSO is working on to improve over time.

The over-coverage rate for the HTS survey is not calculated and is therefore not available.
13.3.1.2 Under-coverage

The HTS sample is representative of region but may under represent newer built residences as the CSO Household register may not include the newest residences. This could affect younger age groups more, but this has not been measured yet. 


13.3.2 Unit non-response for TRIPS dataset

  Unit non-response
13.3.2.1 Number of ineligible units/ elements

4,580
13.3.2.2 Number of eligible units/elements

50,620
13.3.2.3 Number of non-contacts

34,780
13.3.2.4 Number of refusals

N/A
13.3.2.5 Number of rejected questionnaires

N/A
13.3.2.6 Number of other types of non-response

N/A
13.3.2.7 Total non-response (= sum of 13.3.2.3 to 13.3.2.6)

34,780


13.3.3 Unit non-response rate

13.3.3.1 Unit non-response rate for TRIPS dataset (= 13.3.2.7 divided by 13.3.2.2)

68.7%
13.3.3.2 Unit non-response rate for PARTIC dataset

71.2%
13.3.3.3 Unit non-response rate for SDVOUT dataset

67.7%
13.3.3.4 Methods used for dealing with/minimising unit non-response

A reminder is issued to all non-respondent households three weeks after the initial HTS form was issued. Also, to try to minimise unit non-response a support telephone number and e-mail address is provided on the HTS form in the event that a respondent needs help or advice on completing the form. The survey is also offered in the Irish language for those who request it.


13.3.4 Item non-response

13.3.4.1 Item non-response

The questions on age and gender can be sensitive and respondents are less likely to reveal this information. They are also less likely to give expenditure information (especially the breakdown of expenditure into categories). 
13.3.4.2 Methods used for dealing with/minimising item non-response

Incomplete data (item non-response) is either imputed (age and expenditure) or estimated (other variables). 


13.3.5 Additional comments on non-sampling error 

The HTS form is postal and is not statutory. More older people seem to complete the HTS form each month. Younger people do not complete the HTS form in the same proportions as older people. 

 


(in case of second survey please briefly describe 13.3.1-13.3.4 here)


14. Timeliness and punctuality Top
14.1. Timeliness
14.1.1 Participation in tourism

Data is not published nationally, but is sent to Eurostat only.
14.1.2 Tourism trips

170 days
14.1.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

This data is not published, but is sent to Eurostat.
14.2. Punctuality
14.2.1 Participation in tourism

+5
14.2.2 Tourism trips

+5
14.2.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

+33


15. Coherence and comparability Top
15.1. Comparability - geographical

There are no problems of comparability between geographical regions. Information is collected via postal survey of private households on a monthly basis by the Central Statistics Office.  The HTS is a random stratified sample - stratified by NUTS3 regions and house tenure type.
15.2. Comparability - over time
15.2.1 Participation in tourism

The comparable time period for the survey data began in 2012.
15.2.2 Tourism trips

The HTS has been carried out since 1st quarter of 2000. Due to a change in methodology there is a discontinuity in all of the series relating to outbound and domestic travel from 2012 onwards and therefore these results are not directly comparable with the results prior to 2012.
15.2.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

The comparable time series began in 2014.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain

The data collected by the CSO's Tourism surveys for domestic and inbound travel is combined and this is compared with data from Failte Ireland.
15.4. Coherence - internal

Data is checked on a quarterly basis for conistence and coherence to the same period in previous years.


16. Cost and Burden Top
Restricted from publication


17. Data revision Top
17.1. Data revision - policy

There are no provisional results published for the HTS. Revisions are made to the data when required - revisions are usually made due to a review and change in methodology for the HTS. These are highlighted on the HTS release.
17.2. Data revision - practice

Since COVID-19 there have been a number of minor data revisions and users have been asked to treat the data with caution since tourism has gone through a period of great changes since 2019, which has yet to settle back into a stable series of travel patterns.


18. Statistical processing Top
18.1. Source data

18.1.1. Source data

18.1.1.1 Source data

Postal Survey of sample Households (voluntary)
18.1.1.2 Name of data collection in national language

Household Travel Survey
18.1.1.3 Name of data collection in English

Household Travel Survey
18.1.1.4 Survey vehicle Stand-alone survey
18.1.1.5 If "Embedded in another survey", please indicate which other survey. In case both options were ticked, please describe here separately the approach for PARTIC, TRIPS, SDVOUT

N/A


18.1.2. Population frame

18.1.2.1 Population frame Register of Census Districts and Buildings
18.1.2.2 Update of population frame Quarterly
18.1.2.3 If other frequency or additional comments, please specify

N/A
18.1.2.4 Coverage errors of population frame

The reference population for the national Household Travel Survey is all private households in Ireland. All individuals in the household are included. The sample is chosen using the CSO Household Register as the sampling frame since the beginning of 2020.  It is difficult to estimate coverage errors but the newest built dwellings may not be on the register at a given point in time.


18.1.3. Gross sample size (year, individuals)

18.1.3.1 Gross sample size for trips (= 13.3.2.1 + 13.3.2.2)

55,200 private households in 2022 (estimated 151,200 individuals based on Census 2022)
18.1.3.2 Gross sample size for participation in tourism

4,700 private households in 2022 (estimated at 12,900 individuals using Census 2022)
18.1.3.3 Gross sample size for (outbound) same-day visits

27,600 private households in 2022 (estimated 75,600 individuals based on Census 2022)
18.1.3.4 Additional comments


18.1.4. Net sample size (year, individuals)

18.1.4.1 Net sample size for trips (= 13.3.2.2 – 13.3.2.7)

15,840 private households for 2022 (estimated 43,400 individuals based on Census 2022)
18.1.4.2 Net sample size for participation in tourism

1,360 private households for 2022 (estimated at 3,700 individuals using Census 2022)
18.1.4.3 Net sample size for (outbound) same-day visits

8,900 private households for 2022 (estimated 24,400 individuals based on Census 2022)
18.1.4.4 Additional comments


18.1.5. Sampling design

18.1.5.1 Sampling design Stratified sampling
Random sampling
18.1.5.2 If other or additional comments (also when more than one options is chosen in 18.1.5.1), please specify. Links to national methodology documentation can also be inserted here.

The HTS is a random stratified sample. Each month, over 4,600 households (or approximately 0.3% of all private households) are randomly selected from the CSO Household Register were the selection is stratified by NUTS 3 region and housing tenure type.


18.1.6. Second survey or source

18.2. Frequency of data collection
18.2.1 Frequency of data collection Monthly
18.2.2 Other frequency or additional comments
18.3. Data collection

18.3.1. Type of survey

Household survey


18.3.2. Data collection methods

18.3.2.1 Data collection methods Self-administered paper questionnaire (postal survey, pen-and-paper without interviewer)
18.3.2.2 If other or additional comments, please specify. In case a combination of data collection methods is used, please give an indication of the importance of the different methods (in terms of number of respondents) 
18.3.2.3 Questionnaire in national language (Annex/Link)

The most recent version of the questionnaire can be found at the following link: https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/surveyforms/householdtravelsurvey/
18.3.2.4 Questionnaire in English (Annex/Link)

The most recent version of the questionnaire can be found at the following link: https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/surveyforms/householdtravelsurvey/
18.3.2.5 Interviewer instructions in English (Annex/Link)

Not  applicable.


18.3.3. Proxy interviews

18.3.3.1 Proxy interviews Not applicable
18.3.3.2 If "Allowed" or "Only in exceptional cases", please indicate for which variables in particular proxy interviews were used (it not all questions); If 4. "Not applicable", please explain why.

This is a self-completed survey questionnaire by participating households. There is no infomation on proxy completion for members of each household collected by the questionnaire.


18.3.4. Average interview time (The average interview time is X minutes.)

18.3.4.1 Average interview time

Respondents report that on average the questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
18.3.4.2 Average interview time for respondents that reported trips

Respondents report that on average the questionnaire takes approximately 13 minutes to complete.

 


18.3.5 Second survey or source
18.4. Data validation
18.4.1 Data validation

All records are scanned and verified and any information not identified by the scanning process is confirmed. Edit programs are then run to test for inconsistencies and missing values within the data (for example, number of nights, destination and cost of journey). Missing data is either imputed (missing expenditure on trip and age data) or estimated. It is assumed that non responding households (for the expenditure and age variables) have the same patterns as those households that respond. The Eurostat validation rules are also included in the editing process.
18.4.2 Second survey or source (In case a second survey or source is used for collecting data on participation, trips or same-day visits, please briefly describe 18.4.1 here in relation to those surveys/sources)
18.5. Data compilation
18.5.1 Data compilation

Once the editing procedure is completed the data is then weighted on a quarterly basis.

Domestic travel survey results are first weighted to account for non-response at a household level. Next the results are calibrated to population estimates broken down by sex, age group, household tenure and region (NUTS3). These population estimates are provided by the CSO's Demography Unit. These weightings are then applied to survey results.

The methodology adopted to weight outbound travel includes a second stage where the results for outbound travel are subsequently further weighted to agree with CSO Tourism and Travel results.
18.5.2 Second survey or source (In case a second survey or source is used for collecting data on participation, trips or same-day visits, please briefly describe 18.5.1 here in relation to those surveys/sources)
18.6. Adjustment

Not applicable.


19. Comment Top

[Optional]


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top