Patterns of Tourist Seasonality in Spanish Regions

Abstract

Seasonal variations manifest themselves differently according to the tourist destination. This paper analyses seasonal patterns which are evident in Spain, with specific reference to the Autonomous Communities (regions). To this end, levels of seasonality of tourist demand and supply are observed on the basis of different variables, such as: the number of tourists, the average number of nights spent in hotel accommodation by tourists, the number of rooms available and the personnel employed in tourist accommodation. The present study uses data from the Specific and General Indices of Seasonal Variation, and a simple and effective methodology for the measurement of seasonality is proposed. Finally, the paper verifies the need for a more detailed analysis when studying tourism across an extensive territory such as Spain, where the regions show significant differences with regard to the patterns of seasonality.