МК – NI 047-2

The indicator shows the total number of overnights of foreign tourists by years at country level and by statistical regions. Also, it shows the structure of overnights and average stay of tourists by country of origin.

• Number

What is the trend of overnights of foreign tourists in the Republic of Macedonia?

With regard to international tourist visits, the overnights of foreign tourists during the analyzed period have had rising trend of 4.9 times in 2017 compared to 1997year.

The Netherlands had significant share in the overnights of foreign tourists in Macedonia during the analyzed period with 4.59days average stay of tourists. By statistical regions, the highest number of overnights was recorded in Southwestern and Skopje regions. With regard to overnights of foreign tourists by types of resorts, the highest number of overnights was recorded in lake resorts with4.439.473overnights, and the lowest number in spa resorts with 335.625overnights.

Figure 1. Total number of overnights by foreign tourists

Figure 2. Total number of overnights and average stay by foreign tourists by country of origin

Figure 3. Countries with significant share in the average stay of foreign tourists

Figure 4. Overnights by foreign tourists by statistical regions

Figure 5. Overnights by foreign tourists by types of resorts in the period from 2003 to 2016

Data coverage: excel

Data source: State Statistical Office, http://www.stat.gov.mk/Default_en.aspx

Overnights parallel the intensity of visits by foreign tourists in the Republic of Macedonia. Summarized results indicated that the highest number overnights was accomplished by tourists from European countries, with The Netherlands having the highest share in the average stay of tourists with 4.59days. From among other continents, tourists from Other African countries had the longest average stay with 2.75days. Observation of the trends enables us to follow the extent to which the attractiveness of the environment is adjusted to the demands of these visitors.

Regional distribution of accomplished foreign overnights indicates that tourists in Southwestern region have accomplished highest number of overnights, followed by Skopje region, which is unfavorable circumstance in the context of foreign tourist visits as the visits take place mainly in urban environments. Observation of relations within regional distribution of overnights accomplished by foreign tourists enables considerations of measures undertaken towards accomplishment of overnights in other regions with specific values.

The average number of foreign tourists provides the opportunity to monitor the level of prevalence of the characteristics of environment. The Figure indicates that foreign tourists stay for relatively short time in the Republic of Macedonia. This duration is around 2.20days at an average during the analyzed period which reflects significant lagging behind the average stay by national tourists which is 4.56days.

With regard to overnights of foreign tourists by types of resorts, the highest share in the overall number of overnights is recorded in lake resorts with 41.89%, followed by Skopje with 34.04%, other resorts with a share of 17.23%, mountain resorts with a share of 3.66% and the lowest share belongs to spa resorts with 3.16% in the total number of overnights.

• Methodology for the indicator calculation

The data on tourists have been obtained on the basis of the regular monthly reports of catering and other business entities providing services of accommodation to tourists or act as intermediaries in the provision of these services. Guest books kept by business operators as a legal obligation are sources of data.