São Tomé, 26 February 2026 (ECA) – São Tomé and Príncipe is set to conduct its first-ever national tourism survey following the adoption by national experts of a comprehensive methodology, aligned with international standards.
The survey will collect data from 285 tourism establishments across the country. It will generate reliable statistics on employment, private investment and the economic impact of tourism businesses, contributing to the update of the country’s first report on tourism economic data. Data collection is scheduled to take place from 4 to 22 May 2026 nationwide.
“The Government recognizes that reliable and up-to-date data form the foundation of effective public policies. Tourism Satellite Accounts have become an indispensable tool for measuring tourism’s real contribution to economic growth, job creation and foreign exchange earnings,” a representative of the Ministry of Tourism stated.
The survey is part of Phase II of the support provided by the Subregional Office for Central Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe for the development of tourism economic statistics.
“This marks a decisive step toward building a robust tourism statistical system for São Tomé and Príncipe—one capable of informing strategic planning, attracting investment and supporting the sustainable valorization of the country’s natural and cultural assets,” said Laura Ngomegni, representing the Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa.
Beyond the survey itself, the initiative also aims to strengthen the long-term capacity of the national statistical system. National experts have received training on designing tourism-specific statistical surveys, as well as on modern data collection and analysis techniques.
In the longer term, the project will help reinforce institutional coordination, particularly between the Ministry of Tourism and the National Institute of Statistics, to ensure the regular production of reliable tourism statistics.
“As a Small Island Developing State and a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve, São Tomé and Príncipe sees sustainable tourism as one of its greatest development opportunities. Turning this potential into tangible results requires continued investment in skills, governance, innovation and destination promotion,” the Ministry of Tourism representative emphasized.
Work carried out under Phase II of the project has already quantified the economic contribution of tourism, confirming its role as a major driver of wealth creation and value addition in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The upcoming survey will further refine this measurement, providing stronger evidence to guide public policy, investment strategies in the tourism sector and the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.
“Tourism is a strategic sector for São Tomé and Príncipe. But beyond beaches and landscapes, it must become a sector that is measured, analyzed and managed on the basis of reliable data. Only then can it fully contribute to sustainable development, economic diversification and the blue economy,” the representative of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa concluded.
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