Islands’ Tourism Seasonality: A Data Analysis of Mediterranean Islands’ Tourism Comparing Seasonality Indicators (2008–2018)

Abstract

Tourism seasonality as a tourist demand concentration in specific seasons is still a big challenge for Mediterranean islands’ tourism policies. Overtourism occurs during high tourist seasons, and undertourism occurs during low tourist seasons, creating undesirable economic, social, and environmental effects on sustainability. However, the imbalance of tourism demand, specifically in fragile territories such as islands, needs specific policies based on scientific evidence. This article examines tourism seasonality dynamics in the Mediterranean islands, thoroughly analysing tourist overnights on island destinations. The adopted methodology uses a set of statistical indicators, such as peak factor intensity, calculated in a time series analysis from 2008 to 2018. The results of this article allow us to understand the importance for the Mediterranean islands to plan a resilient, sustainable, and harmonious tourism policy, using strategies to contain seasonal peaks and creating new tourist demand in the low season months.