Seasonality in Crete: Problem or a Way of Life?

Abstract

The tourism industry worldwide faces seasonal fluctuations of demand. These fluctuations are attributed to diverse factors -mainly climatic conditions, human decisions, inertia or tradition and supply restrictions -and result in various problems for tourist-receiving destinations, such as seasonal environmental congestion, low return on investment for tourist enterprises, overuse of facilities and offseason unemployment. Most of the strategies adopted by both private and public sectors to overcome seasonality fall into one of three main categories: diversification of the product mix, change of the customer mix and aggressive pricing. This paper reviews these issues taking the case of the island of Crete, and examines whether seasonality poses a problem for the island and the islanders or whether it is simply a way of life.

Tourist Vacation Preferences: The Case of Mass Tourists to Crete

“…For example, it has been estimated that approximately 40% of the local population are directly or indirectly involved in tourism activities (Anagnostopoulou et al, 1996;Region of Crete, 1995). However, up to now tourism development was directed to the increase of arrivals through the increase of the numbers of beds, rather than the attraction of better quality tourists and the provision of a better quality product (Andriotis, 2005(Andriotis, , 2006.…”

“…This study confirms the findings of past research (e.g., Debbage, 1991;Driver & Tocher, 1979;Fleischer & Pizam, 2002), reporting that age is a main discriminator of tourists' preferences. Because older aged tourists tend to travel off-season (Andriotis, 2005;Fleischer & Pizam, 2002), the attraction of the senior citizen market segment can be used as a strategy to reduce the seasonality problem. In doing so, there is a need to provide facilities mostly required by the older market segments.…”

Managing tourism decline: insights from the Isle of Man

“…As outlined in the literature, such increased diversity makes the island a more attractive and viable place to inhabit (see also Andriotis, 2005, Buhalis, 1999, Keane, 1992, Marjavaara, 2007. To illustrate, tourism was valued for maintaining facilities, generating government revenue and providing employment.…”

“…The most serious consequence of peripherality is the outflow of residents putting community continuity in doubt as residents are attracted by greater financial and social opportunities abroad (Andriotis, 2005). For example, the islands of Ireland in 1841 held a population of 38 138 across 211 islands, but in 1999 just 9700 inhabited 66 (Berry, 2009).…”

“…This is as a consequence of contributing to more attractive local landscapes, making habitation prospects more viable, and encouraging new and returning migrants attracted through social exchanges and in pursuit of economic opportunities (Andriotis, 2005, Buhalis, 1999, Royle, 2008, Tsartas, 1992.…”