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Hotel Characteristics and Seasonality in Prices: An Analysis Using Spanish Tour Operators' Brochures

Author

Listed:
  • Josep-Maria Espinet

    (Departament d'Economia, Universitat de Girona, Facultat de Ciències Econòmiques i Empresarials, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Modest FluviÃ

    (Departament d'Economia, Universitat de Girona, Facultat de Ciències Econòmiques i Empresarials, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Ricard Rigall-I-Torrent

    (Departament d'Economia, Universitat de Girona, Facultat de Ciències Econòmiques i Empresarials, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain)

  • Albert Saló

    (ESADE Business School, Universitat Ramon Llull, Av Torre Blanca 59, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain, and Departament d'Economia, Universitat de Girona)

Abstract

Seasonality in the tourism sector has been a major concern for policy makers, managers and other stakeholders. Many studies have analysed seasonality from the point of view of the number of visitors. However, there appear to be no studies focusing on seasonality in prices and on how to smooth out seasonal patterns. This paper analyses how hotel characteristics affect seasonality in prices using brochure data on 1,776 hotels in 32 sun-and-beach destinations in 11 countries. The authors find that, after controlling for destination-specific variables that may cause variations in prices through demand shifts (such as climatic conditions, exchange rates or marketing expenditures), more hotel services and higher star ratings are associated with fewer seasonal variations in hotel prices.

Suggested Citation

  • Josep-Maria Espinet & Modest Fluvià & Ricard Rigall-I-Torrent & Albert Saló, 2012. "Hotel Characteristics and Seasonality in Prices: An Analysis Using Spanish Tour Operators' Brochures," Tourism Economics, , vol. 18(4), pages 749-767, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:18:y:2012:i:4:p:749-767
    DOI: 10.5367/te.2012.0145
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    References listed on IDEAS

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