What does 'seasonal tourism' refer to?

Seasonal tourism refers to travel and recreation activities that are concentrated around specific times of the year, typically aligned with particular seasons. This can include activities like summer vacations at the beach, ski trips in the winter, or visits to festivals that happen during certain times of the year.

Understanding seasonal tourism is crucial as it highlights how destination popularity can fluctuate based on the time of year, affecting how businesses operate and plan for peak and off-peak periods. For example, ski resorts thrive during winter months when snow is abundant, whereas coastal areas see more visitors during the summer. This concept enables tourism planners and businesses to tailor their services, marketing strategies, and pricing models to align with these peak times, thus optimizing revenues and resource management.

In contrast, tourism that occurs all year round does not exhibit the same patterns and does not rely on specific seasons. Focusing exclusively on winter sports limits the scope of seasonal tourism, as it pertains to only one segment of the year and does not encompass other seasonal activities. Similarly, tourism that avoids specific dates or seasons would not align with the concept of seasonal tourism at all, as it wouldn't involve peaks at particular times.