Tourism seasonality: the causes and effects

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to examine and analyse the thematic literature on tourism seasonality and the causes and effects thereof.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of scientific and theoretical research by various authors on tourism seasonality, in order to systematically analyse the causes and effects of the seasonal patterns in tourism activity.

Findings

Seasonality is one of the most important features of tourism demand, and it has a significant effect on many aspects of the tourism industry. The literature review suggests that tourism seasonality is caused by natural and anthropogenic factors that have a very significant bearing on the geographical location of a tourist destination, as well as institutional and economic factors. Assessments of the effects of seasonality in the scientific literature differ. The effects of seasonality analysed in the relevant literature can be divided into four major categories: economic, employment, social and cultural as well as ecological.

Originality/value

The paper presents a systematic literature review on tourism seasonality and the causes and effects thereof.

Citation

Zvaigzne, A., Litavniece, L. and Dembovska, I. (2022), "Tourism seasonality: the causes and effects", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 421-430. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2022-0080