This is not the latest documentation of the statistics.
Accommodation statistics: documentation of statistics
27.7.2023 valid documentation
Basic data of the statistics
Data description
Accommodation statistics are statistics produced monthly by Statistics Finland that describe the supply and use of accommodation services, as well as the price level of accommodation services in Finland.
The supply of accommodation services is described with the capacity data of accommodation establishments, that is, the numbers of establishments, rooms and beds.
The use of accommodation services is described with the use of the capacity of accommodation establishments, which is measured with the occupancy rate of rooms and beds. In addition, the use of accommodation services is measured with the numbers of customers, i.e. persons arriving at the accommodation establishment, and overnight stays, which are broken down by the customer's country of residence.
The price level of accommodation services is described with the average price of a room (or cottage) (= average price paid for a room) and with the average price of overnight stay.
The supply of accommodation services is described with the capacity data of accommodation establishments, that is, the numbers of establishments, rooms and beds.
The use of accommodation services is described with the use of the capacity of accommodation establishments, which is measured with the occupancy rate of rooms and beds. In addition, the use of accommodation services is measured with the numbers of customers, i.e. persons arriving at the accommodation establishment, and overnight stays, which are broken down by the customer's country of residence.
The price level of accommodation services is described with the average price of a room (or cottage) (= average price paid for a room) and with the average price of overnight stay.
Statistical population
The target population of the statistics are accommodation establishments located in Finland with at least 20 beds (establishments of enterprises) that offer short-term accommodation as a paid service also in case the price is fully or partially subsidised.
Statistical unit
The statistical unit is an establishment (accommodation establishment) that offers short-term paid accommodation services to customers.
Unit of measure
The supply of accommodation services is described with the capacity data of accommodation establishments, that is, the numbers of establishments, rooms and beds.
The use of accommodation services is described with the use of the capacity of accommodation establishments, which is measured with the occupancy rate of rooms and beds. In addition, the use of accommodation services is measured with the numbers of customers, i.e. persons arriving at the accommodation establishment, and overnight stays. The price level of accommodation services is described with the average price of a room (or cottage) (= average price paid for a room) and with the average price of overnight stay. Price includes 10 % VAT but not any other services.
The use of accommodation services is described with the use of the capacity of accommodation establishments, which is measured with the occupancy rate of rooms and beds. In addition, the use of accommodation services is measured with the numbers of customers, i.e. persons arriving at the accommodation establishment, and overnight stays. The price level of accommodation services is described with the average price of a room (or cottage) (= average price paid for a room) and with the average price of overnight stay. Price includes 10 % VAT but not any other services.
Reference period
The reference period of statistics is a calendar year and month.
Reference area
The reference areas of the statistics are the whole of Finland, Mainland Finland, regions and municipalities.
Sector coverage
Data are collected monthly from accommodation establishments offering accommodation services with at least 20 beds or caravan/camper pitches with electrical connection. Accommodation establishments are establishments of enterprises that mainly operate in industries 551, 552 and 553.
Time coverage
Statistics Finland has been producing accommodation statistics since 1971. Data are available in database format from 1995 onwards. Preliminary data are released monthly and they may become revised until the final annual data are published.
Frequency of dissemination
The monthly preliminary data of the accommodation statistics are released within approximately four weeks from the end of the reference month. The final annual statistics are typically released in April.
Concepts
Accommodation capacity
Accommodation capacity consists of bedrooms and bed-places in accommodation establishments. A bedroom is a unit formed by one room or groups of rooms constituting an indivisible rental whole in an accommodation establishment (e.g. hotel) or a dwelling. A caravan pitch (provided with electric socket) equates to one accommodating unit.
A bed-place refers to a sleeping place for one person set up in an establishment. The number of bed-places indicates how many persons can be accommodated in an establishment at the same time. A bed-place applies to a single bed. A double bed is counted as two bed-places. For one caravan pitch 4 bed-places are counted.
A bed-place refers to a sleeping place for one person set up in an establishment. The number of bed-places indicates how many persons can be accommodated in an establishment at the same time. A bed-place applies to a single bed. A double bed is counted as two bed-places. For one caravan pitch 4 bed-places are counted.
Accommodation establishment
An accommodation establishment is an establishment (local kind-of-activity unit) providing overnight lodging for holiday spenders and other travellers in rooms or some other units. In the accommodation statistics of Statistics Finland, accommodation establishments are classified according to the standard industrial classification (TOL 2008) into hotels and similar establishments (guest houses), youth hostels, holiday villages and camping sites.
Arrival in accommodation establishment
In tourism statistics, an "arrival" is a statistical unit used to measure the volume of tourist/visitor flows. In accommodation statistics, arrivals refer to guest arrivals in accommodation establishments who check in to spend one or more nights in the establishment. 'Arrivals' also indicate the demand for accommodation services measured by the number of customers.
In the Border Interview survey (Frontier survey) or statistics collected by Frontier Guard officers, an 'arrival' refers to a visitor arrival at the national borders.
In the Border Interview survey (Frontier survey) or statistics collected by Frontier Guard officers, an 'arrival' refers to a visitor arrival at the national borders.
Bed-place
The number of bed-places in an establishment or dwelling is determined by the number of persons who can stay overnight in beds set up in the establishment, ignoring any extra beds that may be set up by customer request. The term bed-place applies to a single bed. A double bed is counted as two bed-places. This unit serves to measure the capacity of any type of accommodation (e.g. one caravan pitch counts as 4 bed-places).
In the Finnish accommodation statistics extra beds are often firm fixtures of accommodation facilities, especially when the accommodation unit is a cottage (chalet, bungalow). In these cases the capacity is usually given by the number of accommodated persons, e.g. 4+2 persons.
In the Finnish accommodation statistics extra beds are often firm fixtures of accommodation facilities, especially when the accommodation unit is a cottage (chalet, bungalow). In these cases the capacity is usually given by the number of accommodated persons, e.g. 4+2 persons.
Bed-place occupancy rate
The net occupancy rate of bed-places in one month is obtained by dividing the total overnight stays by the number of bed-places on offer and the number of days when the bed-places are actually available for use (net of seasonal or other temporary closures for decoration, etc.) for the same group of establishments.
The gross occupancy rate of bed-places in one month is obtained by dividing the total overnight stays by the number of bed-places and the number of days in the corresponding month (sometimes termed bed-nights) for the same group of establishments.
The gross occupancy rate of bed-places in one month is obtained by dividing the total overnight stays by the number of bed-places and the number of days in the corresponding month (sometimes termed bed-nights) for the same group of establishments.
Business trip
The category of business and professional trips comprises all business and professional activities outside the usual environment. The visitor takes the professional trip because of requirements related to his/her occupation or the economic activity of the production unit for which he/she works. This category includes sales to foreign enterprises, attending meetings, conferences or congresses, trade fairs and exhibitions, employer incentive tours, etc. Usually it is the employer who pays the costs for business trip.
In the Finnish Travel survey this category of trips goes under the heading 'Business/conference'.
In the Finnish Travel survey this category of trips goes under the heading 'Business/conference'.
Caravan pitch
Camp sites let pitches for tents, caravans, mobile homes and similar shelter to tourists who want to stay on a "touring" pitch for only a couple of consecutive days or weeks, as well as to people who want to hire a "fixed" pitch for a season or a year.
In the Finnish Accommodation statistics, only pitches provided with electric sockets are counted in the accommodation capacity corresponding to one lodging unit. In the EU and other international tourism statistics 4 bed-places are counted per one pitch. Besides camp sites hotels and other accommodation establishments (e.g. holiday villages) may have caravan pitches provided with sockets which are also counted in the accommodation capacity in Finland.
In the Finnish Accommodation statistics, only pitches provided with electric sockets are counted in the accommodation capacity corresponding to one lodging unit. In the EU and other international tourism statistics 4 bed-places are counted per one pitch. Besides camp sites hotels and other accommodation establishments (e.g. holiday villages) may have caravan pitches provided with sockets which are also counted in the accommodation capacity in Finland.
Country of residence
For the purpose of tourism statistics, country of residence is defined as the country where a person has lived for most of the past 12 months. Tourists are defined as non-residents/residents according to the country of residence, and not to the nationality.
Domestic tourism
Domestic tourism comprises the activities of residents of a given country travelling to and staying in places inside their residential country, but outside their usual environment for not more than 12 consecutive months for leisure, business or other purposes.
Duration of trip
Duration of trip refers to the time spent during a visit measured from the standpoint of the generating country or place. A trip begins when leaving home and ends when returning home. By duration trips are classified into two main categories: same-day visits and overnight trips. The maximum duration for overnight trips is 12 consecutive months. The maximum duration for same-day visits is less than 24 hours, so that departure and return takes place within the same calendar day and no nights are spent during the trip.
Hotel room
A bedroom is a unit formed by one room or group of rooms constituting an indivisible rental whole in an accommodation establishment (e.g. a hotel) or dwelling. Rooms may be single, double or multiple depending on whether they are equipped permanently to sleep one, two or several people. Apartments are a special type of room. They consist of one or more rooms and have a kitchen unit and own bathroom and toilet. Cabins, cottages, huts, bungalows, villas and summerhouses can be treated like bedrooms and apartments, i.e. to be let as a single unit.
Inbound tourism
Inbound tourism is defined as comprising the activities of non-residents travelling to a given country that is outside their usual environment, and staying there no longer than 12 consecutive months for leisure, business or other (corresponding) purpose.
Internal tourism
Internal tourism comprises "domestic tourism" of residents of a given country and "inbound tourism" of non-residents to that country.
International tourism
International tourism comprises "inbound tourism" (non-residents' visits to a given country) and "outbound tourism" of residents of a given country (residents' visits abroad).
International tourism expenditure
International tourism expenditure is defined (by the World Tourism Organization, WTO) as expenditure of outbound visitors in other countries including their payments to foreign carriers for international passenger transport. It also includes any other payments or payments afterwards made for goods and services received in the country of destination. The definition is more extensive than that of the travel expenditure in the Balance of Payments in which international passenger transport is not included.
International tourism receipts
International tourism receipts are defined (by WTO) as expenditure of international inbound visitors including their payments to national carriers for international transport. They also include any other payments or payments afterwards made for goods and services received in the destination country. The definition is more extensive than that of the travel expenditure in the Balance of Payments in which international passenger transport is not included.
Leisure trip
A leisure trip refers to the purpose and motive of a visit. Trips (visits) for leisure, recreation and holiday purposes outside the usual environment are mainly undertaken for relaxation. It is the visitor who decides to take the tourist trip as an activity unconnected with his/her occupation, and the trip is usually financed out of household funds.
In the Finnish travel survey all trips that do not come under the category of 'Business/congress trips' are considered leisure trips. This category covers trips to own holiday home, visits to friends and relatives, as well as leisure cruises and same-day visits.
In the Finnish travel survey all trips that do not come under the category of 'Business/congress trips' are considered leisure trips. This category covers trips to own holiday home, visits to friends and relatives, as well as leisure cruises and same-day visits.
Outbound tourism
Outbound tourism comprises the activities of residents of a given country travelling to and staying in places outside their country of residence and outside their usual environment for not more than 12 consecutive months for leisure, business and other purposes.
Overnight stay
In the tourism statistics of the EU (Eurostat) an overnight stay is a statistical unit to measure both the volume of tourism, e.g. duration of stay on the supply side and duration of trip on the demand side. Number of nights spent (duration of stay) either in collective or private accommodation refers to the time spent during a visit measured from the standpoint of the receiving country or place.
On the other hand, the number of nights spent during a trip (duration of trip) measures the time a traveller spends away from home. In the tourism demand statistics (the Finnish Travel survey), the duration of a trip is classified by the number of nights spent into two main categories: short trips including 1-3 nights, and long trips including 4 or more nights. Overnight travelling by boat/ferry, train or other vehicle is included in the total number of nights spent during the trip. As regards tourism statistics, the maximum duration of stay in the destination place/country is 12 consecutive months.
On the other hand, the number of nights spent during a trip (duration of trip) measures the time a traveller spends away from home. In the tourism demand statistics (the Finnish Travel survey), the duration of a trip is classified by the number of nights spent into two main categories: short trips including 1-3 nights, and long trips including 4 or more nights. Overnight travelling by boat/ferry, train or other vehicle is included in the total number of nights spent during the trip. As regards tourism statistics, the maximum duration of stay in the destination place/country is 12 consecutive months.
Overnight trip
An overnight trip refers to a trip outside the usual environment, during which at least one night is spent in private or collective accommodation either for free or for a charge. The maximum duration of a trip is 12 consecutive months.
In the Finnish Travel survey an overnight trip is a statistical unit to measure the volume of overnight tourism. The duration of a trip is measured by the number of nights spent during it. Overnight travelling by boat/ferry, train or other vehicles is included in the total number of nights spent during the trip.
In the Finnish Travel survey an overnight trip is a statistical unit to measure the volume of overnight tourism. The duration of a trip is measured by the number of nights spent during it. Overnight travelling by boat/ferry, train or other vehicles is included in the total number of nights spent during the trip.
Price per overnight
In the accommodation statistics of Statistics Finland price per overnight indicates the average price per overnight stay (VAT included), i.e. the average price a customer has paid for one night spent in an accommodation establishment.
Reason for trip
Purpose of visit refers to the motivation of the trip, the reason in the absence of which the trip would not have taken place. If a trip has more than one purpose (e.g. combined business and holiday trip) the main purpose of visit refers to the reason in the absence of which the trip would not have taken place or the given destination would not have been visited.
Rented cottage, holiday dwelling
In the tourism statistics, a rented cottage (chalet, bungalow) refers to a private rental tourist accommodation. As a mode of accommodation rented cottage can be compared to one's own holiday home. They are usually rented on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, either direct from the owner or by a mediator. Accommodation in cottages (chalets, bungalows) provided by hotels, holiday villages or camping sites belongs to the category of collective accommodation establishments.
In Finland rented holiday dwellings located in the surroundings of tourists centres have increased rapidly in recent years. In the area of tourism centres rented holiday dwellings form a sort of holiday community, where, besides accommodation, dwellers are offered other services, like cleaning, laundry, waste disposal and other maintenance services. The dwellers can also use all the services offered in the centre, such as restaurant and catering services, shops, spas, ski lifts, ski slopes and tracks.
In Finland rented holiday dwellings located in the surroundings of tourists centres have increased rapidly in recent years. In the area of tourism centres rented holiday dwellings form a sort of holiday community, where, besides accommodation, dwellers are offered other services, like cleaning, laundry, waste disposal and other maintenance services. The dwellers can also use all the services offered in the centre, such as restaurant and catering services, shops, spas, ski lifts, ski slopes and tracks.
Room occupancy rate
Room occupancy rate indicates the ratio between occupied rooms and available rooms. Two variables of room occupancy are used in tourism statistics: net occupancy rate and gross occupancy rate. Net occupancy rate is obtained by dividing the number of rooms occupied by the number of rooms actually available in a given month, net of seasonal or other temporary closures. Gross occupancy rate is calculated by dividing the number of rooms occupied in a given month by the total number of rooms, irrespective whether the rooms are actually available or not.
Room price
In Statistics Finland's accommodation statistics, room price (room rate) indicates the average price (incl. VAT) per occupied room per day, i.e. the average price a customer has paid for a room for an overnight stay. The average room rate is calculated by dividing the sales revenue from sold rooms (VAT included) by the number of occupied rooms.
Tourism
Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than 12 consecutive months for leisure, business and other purposes.
Tourism expenditure
Tourism expenditure refers to the total consumption expenditure made by a visitor, or on behalf of a visitor for goods and services during his/her trip and stay at the destination place (country). It also includes payments in advance or after the trip for services received during the trip. Payments for domestics or international passenger transport are also included in tourism expenditure (cf. Travel accounts in the Balance of Payments).
Tourist
A tourist (overnight visitor) is a visitor who stays at least one night in a collective or private accommodation in the place visited. An international tourist is an international visitor who stays at least one night in the country visited. A domestic tourist refers to a domestic visitor who stays at least one night in the place visited.
A visitor who does not spent one night during the trip is called same-day visitor.
A visitor who does not spent one night during the trip is called same-day visitor.
Tourist accommodation
Tourist accommodation refers to any facility that regularly or occasionally provides overnight accommodation for tourists. Accommodation can be chargeable or free.
Travel accounts
In the Balance of Payments (BOP), travel covers primarily the goods and services acquired from an economy by a traveller during visits of less than one year in that economy. It includes the goods and services purchased by, or on behalf of, the traveller or provided without a quid quo pro for the traveller to use or give away. Included are payments made for goods and services in advance or afterwards. Excluded is the international carriage of travellers, which is covered (in the BOP) in passenger services under transportation (cf. the general definition of Tourism expenditure).
As an item in the BOP, Travel accounts indicate the ratio between the receipts and expenditure of international tourism of a given country. The balance is positive when receipts from non-resident tourists (credit) are bigger than the expenditure of resident tourists abroad (debit). The balance is negative when debit exceeds credit.
As an item in the BOP, Travel accounts indicate the ratio between the receipts and expenditure of international tourism of a given country. The balance is positive when receipts from non-resident tourists (credit) are bigger than the expenditure of resident tourists abroad (debit). The balance is negative when debit exceeds credit.
Trip
As a statistical unit of tourism, a trip depicts tourism from the standpoint of the generating place or country (the origin) and covers the whole period a person travels away from home (origin-based perspective).
Trip abroad
A trip (visit) abroad refers to a trip made by a resident of a given country outside the national borders of his/her country of residence and outside his/her usual environment for leisure, business or other reason. The maximum duration of stay in the destination country is 12 consecutive months. A trip is an operational statistical unit of outbound tourism and it is derived from the World Tourism Organization's definitions of 'outbound tourism' and 'international visitor'.
Type of accommodation
Mode of accommodation refers to different means of lodging. In the accommodation statistics of Statistics Finland, overnight stays are broken down by means of lodging into the following groups: 1) room, cottage, chalet, bungalow 2) caravan, travel trailer, camper and 3) tent or other.
As mode of accommodation, lodging in cottages (chalets, bungalows) provided by hotels, holiday villages and camping sites is equivalent to lodging in rooms.
As mode of accommodation, lodging in cottages (chalets, bungalows) provided by hotels, holiday villages and camping sites is equivalent to lodging in rooms.
Type of accommodation establishment
In the accommodation statistics of Statistics Finland, accommodation establishments (hotels and similar establishments, tourist camping sites, holiday villages, youth hostels) are classified by certain characteristics to some 20 groups. The classification is informal and characterises the activity of an establishment. For instance, hotels are classified by type into the following groupings: conference/business hotels, spa hotels, summer hotels, resort hotels, estate hotels, residential hotels and motels.
Use of capacity
Use of accommodation capacity is measured by room and bed-place occupancy rates. Room occupancy rate is calculated by dividing the total number of rooms used in a given month by the number of rooms actually available for that month. The occupancy rate of bed-places is calculated by dividing the number of nights spent in a given month by the total number of available bed-places.
Usual environment
The usual environment of a person consists of the direct vicinity of his/her home and place of work or study and other places frequently visited (e.g. food shops, bank and other services). The concept of usual environment and, therefore, tourism has two dimensions: frequency and distance. Places which are frequently visited by a person (on a routine basis) are considered as part of the usual environment even though these places may be located at a considerable distance from the place of residence (e.g. weekly visits to one's own holiday home). On the other hand, places located close to the place of residence of a person are also part of the usual environment even if actual spots are rarely visited.
Visitor
A visitor is any person travelling to a place other than his/her usual environment and staying there for no longer than 12 consecutive months and whose main purpose of travel is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. The term visitor (domestic and international) comprises tourists and same-day visitors.
In this connection remuneration refers to salary/wages or similar pay except for travelling expenses, daily expense or other minor compensations.
In this connection remuneration refers to salary/wages or similar pay except for travelling expenses, daily expense or other minor compensations.
Classifications
Accuracy, reliability and timeliness
Overall accuracy
The obligation of accommodation establishments to provide data concerns establishments with at least 20 beds or caravan pitches with electrical connection. Overnight stays below this limit are not included in the statistics.
Timeliness
Monthly data are released approximately one month after the end of the statistical reference month.
Punctuality
The data are published on time.
Completeness
The statistics fulfil all the requirements of the EU Regulation on tourism statistics.
Data revision
Monthly published data are preliminary data and final data for the statistical reference year are published once a year in connection with the annual release. The preliminary data for the statistical reference year can thus be always updated until the annual release. The revisions are mainly caused by responses received late or corrections of errors detected in the data. Typically, revisions are very small, under 0.5 per cent of the number of overnight stays.
Non-sampling error
The aim is to minimise non-response by monthly reminding respondents to supply data first by email and after that by telephone, which is conducted by Statistics Finland's interviewers.
Missing data are supplemented with imputation methods, where the establishment's own data are primarily used and, secondarily, data are used from a corresponding establishment based on size, area and industry.
Missing data are supplemented with imputation methods, where the establishment's own data are primarily used and, secondarily, data are used from a corresponding establishment based on size, area and industry.
Non-response error
Non-response of the inquiry varies by the activity and size of the establishment. It is higher than average for small establishments, as well as for camping sites and holiday villages. Due to this non-response is highest in summer when camping sites, holiday villages and other summer-time establishments are included in the inquiry. Measured on the annual level, non-response is around 10 to 15 per cent.
Comparability
Comparability - geographical
The data of the accommodation statistics are mainly comparable with those of other EU countries.
Comparability - over time
Statistics Finland has been producing accommodation statistics since 1971. The population and the methodology of the statistics have been reviewed a number of times. The latest review concerning the population took place at the beginning of 2012, when Regulation (692/2011) of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning European statistics on tourism entered into force. The new minimum size of establishments is 20 beds or caravan/camper pitches with electricity connection. Before 2012, the statistics covered accommodation establishments with at least 10 rooms, caravan pitches with electricity connection and youth hostels. The extension of the target population increased the number of overnight stays by around one per cent on the annual level. In 2017 the target population of the accommodation statistics was reviewed and a few accommodation establishments operating in the industries of hotels and hostels were added to it starting from data concerning January 2017. The effect of the review is around 2.5 per cent of the total number of overnight stays. Because of the review, the data starting from 2017 are not fully comparable with those for earlier years.
Coherence - cross domain
The accommodation statistics partially overlap with the statistics on Finnish travel as concerns paid accommodation. There are, however, differences in the target groups and methods. Accommodation statistics include only establishments with at least 20 beds while the statistics on Finnish travel include all paid accommodation used by Finns. Accommodation statistics include overnight stays by Finns of all ages, while the statistics on Finnish travel include only overnight stays by Finns aged 15 to 84. In addition, the statistics on Finnish travel are sample statistics and accommodation statistics are collected from all establishments meeting the criteria.
Statistics Finland’s accommodation statistics are the only regularly produced statistics describing the supply and use of the services of accommodation establishments with physical measures. Monthly data on the sizes and the wages and salaries sum of accommodation establishments are obtained with Statistics Finland’s monthly indicators on services (’Other services’), in which accommodation activities are classified under section I together with food service activities. Accommodation activities can be distinguished as a separate industry at the 2-digit level of the classification. The monthly data on overnight stays at hotels and the occupancy rates of hotel rooms obtained from the accommodation statistics correlate strongly with the turnover data of accommodation activities.
Statistics Finland’s accommodation statistics are the only regularly produced statistics describing the supply and use of the services of accommodation establishments with physical measures. Monthly data on the sizes and the wages and salaries sum of accommodation establishments are obtained with Statistics Finland’s monthly indicators on services (’Other services’), in which accommodation activities are classified under section I together with food service activities. Accommodation activities can be distinguished as a separate industry at the 2-digit level of the classification. The monthly data on overnight stays at hotels and the occupancy rates of hotel rooms obtained from the accommodation statistics correlate strongly with the turnover data of accommodation activities.
Coherence - sub-annual and annual statistics
Preliminary data are published monthly and final figures are released once a year in connection with the annual release. The preliminary data for the statistical reference year may thus become revised until the annual release.
Coherence - internal
The data contents are internally coherent. Top level aggregates are derived from unit level data. The concepts are consistent between industries and regions.
Source data and data collections
Source data
Statistics Finland maintains a register of accommodation establishments belonging to the population of the statistics. Establishments can be linked to Statistics Finland's Business Register with the help of Business IDs and establishment codes. Most of the accommodation establishments in the register are establishments of enterprises operating in industry 55 (Accommodation) in the Business Register.
Statistics Finland collects monthly data on accommodation establishments in Mainland Finland in the monthly inquiry for accommodation statistics, which is a direct data collection for enterprises.
Data from Åland are obtained through Statistics and Research Åland (ÅSUB), the statistical office of the region. Due to different statistical methods, data for Åland may differ from those published by ÅSUB.
Statistics Finland collects monthly data on accommodation establishments in Mainland Finland in the monthly inquiry for accommodation statistics, which is a direct data collection for enterprises.
Data from Åland are obtained through Statistics and Research Åland (ÅSUB), the statistical office of the region. Due to different statistical methods, data for Åland may differ from those published by ÅSUB.
Data collection
The statistical method is total statistics on establishments in the register, when small establishments with fewer than 20 beds or caravan/camper pitches with electricity connection are excluded from the population. The statistics cover around 1,400 establishments. The coverage of the statistics is most extensive during summer when camping sites, summer hotels and other seasonal facilities are in operation.
The data for the statistics are collected monthly with a web questionnaire. The data inquired are: number of days open in the establishment, available accommodation capacity (rooms and beds), sum of rooms in daily use during the month and sales revenue of accommodation including value added tax. In addition, data are requested on the users of the services (arrivals at the establishment) and the number of overnight stays specified by country of residence.
In addition, in some reservation systems of accommodation establishments it is possible to deliver monthly data automatically to Statistics Finland as XML data transfers. This facility is used by around 200 accommodation establishments.
In addition, the basic and capacity data of accommodation establishments are continuously updated with data obtained from establishments and other sources. Other sources are web pages and administrative registers, such as the Business Register.
The data for the statistics are collected monthly with a web questionnaire. The data inquired are: number of days open in the establishment, available accommodation capacity (rooms and beds), sum of rooms in daily use during the month and sales revenue of accommodation including value added tax. In addition, data are requested on the users of the services (arrivals at the establishment) and the number of overnight stays specified by country of residence.
In addition, in some reservation systems of accommodation establishments it is possible to deliver monthly data automatically to Statistics Finland as XML data transfers. This facility is used by around 200 accommodation establishments.
In addition, the basic and capacity data of accommodation establishments are continuously updated with data obtained from establishments and other sources. Other sources are web pages and administrative registers, such as the Business Register.
Frequency of data collection
The data are collected monthly.
Methods
Data compilation
Starting from January 2004, data for the non-respondents to the monthly inquiry have been estimated with statistical methods (imputation of missing data). The used substitute data are those of the non-respondent establishment for the same statistical reference month from one year earlier provided they are available. If they are not, data of a data supplier establishment that is as identical as possible (activity, capacity, region of location) are used. Starting from March 2020, the statistics use data only from a similar supplier establishment, because due to the coronavirus situation, the establishment's data from one year ago are not representative. The method of compensating for non-response improves the comparability of the statistics over time and regionally.
The share of monthly data imputed on the annual level is 10 to 15 per cent nationally The share of those imputed from overnight stays in the statistics is three to four per cent on the annual level.
The share of monthly data imputed on the annual level is 10 to 15 per cent nationally The share of those imputed from overnight stays in the statistics is three to four per cent on the annual level.
Data validation
Logical checks are made on the data, after which the data are searched for deviations that may be erroneous. Examples of errors may be such as clearly lower or higher prices than typical prices of corresponding establishments. If necessary, the data supplier is contacted in an error situation to correct the error.
Principles and outlines
Contact organisation
Statistics Finland
Contact organisation unit
Social Statistics
Legal acts and other agreements
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Confidentiality - policy
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed in accordance with the requirements of the Statistics Act (280/2004), the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act (1050/2018). The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. Statistics Finland has compiled detailed directions and instructions for confidential processing of the data. Employees have access only to the data essential for their duties. The premises where unit-level data are processed are not accessible to outsiders. Members of the personnel have signed a pledge of secrecy upon entering the service. Violation of data protection is punishable.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment
As a precondition for presenting data, the statistics include a sufficient number of accommodation establishments, none of which are in a dominant position.
Release policy
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data are public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Data sharing
Data according to the Regulation on tourism statistics are disseminated to Eurostat.
Accessibility and clarity
Statistical data are published as database tables in the StatFin database. The database is the primary publishing site of data, and new data are updated first there. When releasing statistical data, existing database tables can be updated with new data or completely new database tables can be published.
In addition to statistical data published in the StatFin database, a release on the key data is usually published in the web service. If the release contains data concerning several reference periods (e.g. monthly and annual data), a review bringing together these data is published in the web service. Database tables updated at the time of publication are listed both in the release and in the review. In some cases, statistical data can also be published as mere database releases in the StatFin database. No release or review is published in connection with these database releases.
Releases and database tables are published in three languages, in Finnish, Swedish and English. The language versions of releases may have more limited content than in Finnish.
Information about changes in the publication schedules of releases and database tables and about corrections are given as change releases in the web service.
More detailed data by country of residence and area are also published in Visit Finland’s Statistics Service Rudolf.
In addition to statistical data published in the StatFin database, a release on the key data is usually published in the web service. If the release contains data concerning several reference periods (e.g. monthly and annual data), a review bringing together these data is published in the web service. Database tables updated at the time of publication are listed both in the release and in the review. In some cases, statistical data can also be published as mere database releases in the StatFin database. No release or review is published in connection with these database releases.
Releases and database tables are published in three languages, in Finnish, Swedish and English. The language versions of releases may have more limited content than in Finnish.
Information about changes in the publication schedules of releases and database tables and about corrections are given as change releases in the web service.
More detailed data by country of residence and area are also published in Visit Finland’s Statistics Service Rudolf.
Micro-data access
Unit-level data can be obtained for scientific research by applying for a licence to use statistical data.
Data revision - policy
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
User needs
The data of the statistics are needed to monitor and promote domestic tourism and tourism from abroad to Finland, and for the planning of national and regional investments in tourism. The users of the data include central government, municipalities, tourism enterprises and organisations, and research institutes. Besides Finland, the data of the accommodation statistics are published by the EU and the World Tourism Organization (WTO). The accommodation statistics are also used as reference data in the compilation of the tourism balance and the tourism account.
Quality assessment
The strength of the statistics is a total sample of nearly 1,400 accommodation establishments, which enables accurate data over time and regionally. Other strengths are the length of the time series and good comparability over time.
The deficiencies in the statistics relate to small accommodation units with fewer than 20 beds. They especially include individual cottages and apartments rented for short-term rental use.
The deficiencies in the statistics relate to small accommodation units with fewer than 20 beds. They especially include individual cottages and apartments rented for short-term rental use.
Quality assurance
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The quality management framework of the field of statistics is the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP). The frameworks complement each other. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are also compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: Quality management | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Further information: Quality management | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
User access
Data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may only be handled at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise separately stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer of the data and the owner of the copyright. The terms of use for statistical data.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise separately stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer of the data and the owner of the copyright. The terms of use for statistical data.