Post on 12-Jan-2019
SEASONALITY IN TOURIST
DESTINATIONS: ISSUES, RESPONSES, AND MITIGATION
Professor Richard Butler,’ University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow, Scotland.
Introduction Definition Characteristics Causes of seasonality Constraints Issues Alternatives Actions Key Questions Punta Del Este
“Seasonality is a temporal imbalance in the phenomenon of tourism, which may be expressed in terms of dimensions of such elements as numbers of visitors, expenditure of visitors, traffic on highways and other forms of transportation, employment, and admissions to attractions” Butler 2001:5
“If Bornholm can be used as a typical example of a tourist destination in a peripheral region in Northern Europe all evidence is against any serious attempt to promote a resort as an off-season destination…..The major recommendation is to accept seasonality as a fact – not as a problem.” Lundtorp, Rassing and Wanhill 2001 p. 103
POSITIVE IMPACTS: Off-season allows recuperation of natural elements (wildlife, vegetation etc.) Off-season allows for a rest period for local communities. Off-season allows for maintenance and improvement of facilities. Off-season may aid employment plurality essential in marginal areas.
“NATURAL” CAUSES Relate to regular temporal variations in natural phenomena, particularly climate and the “true” seasons of the year. Variables include: temperature, rainfall, snowfall, sunlight, daylight.
INSTITUTIONAL CAUSES These are caused by human actions and policies, and may be traditional (cultural habits or legislated, or both. They tend to vary more widely and be less consistent than “natural” causes in their influence. They often reflect religious, cultural, ethnic and social factors.
INSTITUTIONAL CAUSES Religious Holidays (Holy Days) School Holidays Industrial Holidays Social/Fashion Sporting Inertia/Tradition
ISSUES Need for integration with other stakeholders in a destination Changing behaviour of potential visitors Lack of universal agreement over measures “Rest” period ecological needs Repair/regeneration opportunities
ALTERNATIVES Maintain and extend market year round Create a new opportunity for the same market at different time Create a new opportunity for a new market at different time Make the destination unique at a different time to attract a new market Become a trend setter/market leader at a new time