Tourism seasonality in academic research: A review of sustainability issues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14267/TURBULL.2026v26n2.2Keywords:
tourism seasonality, sustainability, economic impacts, socio-cultural effects, management strategiesAbstract
Tourism seasonality creates recurring fluctuations in visitor demand, posing major challenges for destination sustainability. This study addresses a research gap by examining seasonality through an integrated economic, environmental and social sustainability lens. Using a bibliometric and systematic review of 804 Web of Science publications, the study maps current knowledge and key research trends. Findings show that peak seasons intensify environmental degradation and socio-cultural pressures, while off-seasons contribute to income instability and underused infrastructure. At the same time, seasonality can support ecosystem recovery and product diversification. The study concludes that seasonality is a structural feature requiring context-specific, interdisciplinary policies and proposes a conceptual framework linking seasonality to the three pillars of sustainability.
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