What methodology flaws are cited in the DOSM survey?

Question

Accepted Answer

Cited Flaws in the DOSM Survey Methodology

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) domestic tourism survey has been criticised for significant methodological flaws, primarily concerning its sample size, data collection methods, and definition of a domestic tourist. These issues lead to an inaccurate representation of actual tourism performance, particularly for states like Penang.
Limited Sample Size and Scope

The survey's sample size is considered insufficient to accurately reflect tourism trends. While the survey aimed to cover 13 states and three Federal Territories, the number of enumeration blocks sampled in Penang was only 204 out of a total of 2,819 nationwide. This limited scope means that the data collected from such a small segment may not be representative of the entire state's tourism activity, potentially leading to skewed conclusions.
Subjective Data Collection Through Household Questionnaires

A core criticism is that the data was gathered through household questionnaires rather than direct records from tourism-related establishments. This method relies on the subjective recollections of residents about trips taken over the past year, rather than objective data from hotels, airports, or tourist sites. Consequently, the findings are retrospective and susceptible to memory biases, making them less reliable for measuring actual visitor numbers and economic impact.
Broad and Inclusive Definition of Domestic Tourists

The survey employed an overly broad definition of "domestic tourists," classifying any resident travelling beyond their usual area as such, even if they did not stay overnight. This definition encompassed day-trippers and individuals returning home for family events, such as Hari Raya. Such individuals typically do not contribute to the tourism economy through hotel stays, leading to an overestimation of tourist numbers that do not reflect genuine tourism expenditure.
Targeting General Households Over Active Travellers

Furthermore, the survey targeted general households rather than actively seeking out travellers or individuals engaged in tourism activities. Data collected from respondents who may not have travelled extensively or recently can lead to underreporting of actual visitor numbers. For states like Penang, which rely on consistent tourist flows and economic contributions, this approach risks significantly undervaluing their tourism sector's performance.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What methodology flaws are cited in the DOSM survey?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends