| Tourism in the Commonwealth today impacts its economy greatly. Tourism is an important economic driver and the industry represents especially the quintessential expression of the Commonwealth countries, with a large number of small and medium sized operators, including many that are family-run businesses. The significance can easily be assessed in terms of: - the contribution it makes, both directly and indirectly, to the total value of goods and services produced in the economy
- the export dollars it earns through the sale of goods and services to overseas visitors,
- the jobs it creates.
Approximately a number of expenditure by international visitors spent in the countries is seen as having a positive effect on regional economies and employment. In recognition of the importance of the industry and the need to develop a more sustainable industry, CTC is envisioned to assist in achieving industry growth and provide greater synergy across all areas. It provides the framework for structural change to more effectively support the Commonwealth's tourism industry. For this reason, a measure of the economic contribution of tourism of these natures cannot be found exclusively in National Accounts as it can be for other industries. Industries that benefit most from tourism's economic contribution are transport, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, manufacturing, retail and property and business services. A balance of private and public sector involvement in tourism planning is vital to ensure a suitable balance is reached. For the public sector, their main task is the co-ordination of public and private sector interests and the preparation of the tourism element in the statutory planning process. CTC would undertake various research endeavours to measure the economic significance of tourism and provide latest estimates of tourism's economic contribution as it understands that tourism is an activity that takes place in a number of industry sectors, most particularly accommodation, cafes and restaurants; retail trade; transport; and personal services. | 
