Does Off-Season Travel Exist Anymore?
Ah, the thrill of travel! Few things are more exciting than exploring new destinations. But who really loves crowds and long lines? These inconveniences often feel like the unavoidable cost of visiting popular spots, especially during peak seasons.
Once upon a time, savvy travelers could count on the low seasons for bargains. Imagine Italy’s charms becoming more affordable in the fall or Hong Kong’s vibrant energy being cheaper in the sweltering summer months. However, the pandemic upended this traditional wisdom. With many offices shifting remote work, people found themselves with unprecedented flexibility, able to work from almost anywhere. Some companies have continued these remote working policies post-pandemic, allowing employees to explore the world while still earning a paycheck.
The Crowds Are Everywhere
This surge in flexible travel has led to noticeable consequences. Headlines frequently highlight efforts to combat overtourism: new hotel bans in Amsterdam, photo-blocking barricades in Japan, and mass protests in the Canary Islands. According to the United Nations, global travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and might even surpass them.
So, is there any such thing as off-season travel anymore?
Olivier Ponti from ForwardKeys, a travel data and analysis company based in Spain, sheds some light on this. "Global travel is getting busier and busier," he explains. "There are still peak seasons, but the low seasons are becoming increasingly crowded too."
The Numbers Game
ForwardKeys analyzed data from popular beach destinations like Thailand, Hawaii, and the Maldives. By dividing the annual number of tourists by 12, they calculated a monthly average of about 8% of the yearly total. Surprisingly, in Thailand, where the low season typically spans April to September, each of those months still sees more than 7% of the annual tourist volume. In essence, there is barely any seasonality left.
The Climate Change Effect
Weather, traditionally a defining factor of low season travel, is also being reshaped by climate change. Ged Brown, owner of Low Season Traveller, highlights this shift. "People assume the low season is when the weather is the worst," he says. But with climate change, what constitutes "bad weather" is changing. A 2023 survey from the European Travel Commission found that weather was the top concern for European travelers, with 8% worried about extreme conditions. Southern Europe’s heat waves, which caused chaos last summer, are a stark reminder of this trend. ForwardKeys data showed a spike in searches for cooler northern European destinations like Denmark and Sweden.
Beyond the Weather
While climate plays a significant role in travel planning, it's not the only factor. School schedules heavily influence many travelers’ plans. Some families opt for homeschooling, or "world schooling," to travel during off-peak times and immerse their children in different cultures. For those without such constraints, there’s greater flexibility in travel dates.
However, peak seasons do offer certain advantages. Transportation options, like flights and train routes, are more frequent. In less busy seasons, visitors might find limited shop and restaurant hours or closures.
Embracing Low Season Adventures
So, while the concept of an off-season is evolving, the adventurous and flexible traveler can still find golden opportunities away from the masses. Whether it's exploring a classic destination in a new light or uncovering hidden gems, the spirit of travel thrives year-round.
