Summary
When it comes to choosing the best time of year to visit a resort, it is essential to explore the value pricing offered during the shoulder season. The shoulder season is the period between a destination’s low and high tourism seasons, resulting in lower prices for hotels and airfare, along with fewer crowds at popular attractions.
Regions such as Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States experience shoulder season during spring, fall, and winter when children and college students are in school. Because these times are generally less busy for tourism compared to the summer months and public holidays, prices are reduced to encourage more travelers to visit.
Many resorts introduce special discount packages during the shoulder season. Importantly, just because fewer people are traveling during this period does not diminish the enjoyment of attractions. In fact, with reduced costs and smaller crowds, visitors can have an even more rewarding vacation experience.
Why Shoulder Season Is a Good Value
While the pressures of supply and demand drive resort prices higher during peak seasons and holidays, prices significantly decrease during the low season, which tends to coincide with a destination’s least favorable weather months.
Often, the shoulder season provides travelers with a mix of attractive prices and enjoyable weather for their visits to popular destinations. Despite the lower number of visitors during this time, attractions maintain their essential amenities and offerings for tourists.
For example, if you’re visiting the Swiss Alps in February, although there may not be numerous events available, you can still relish some of the best snow of the season on the ski slopes. However, since most schools are in session and there are no international holidays during that month, resorts see fewer customers and thus offer discounts to entice guests to visit.
Shoulder Seasons Around the World
Many destinations have shoulder seasons during spring and fall, but the specific dates can vary significantly. This typically depends on the destination and the unique activities it is known for offering. If you are aiming for a skiing destination, the warmer months of winter represent the shoulder season. Conversely, if you are interested in scuba diving, the colder months, such as October and November, would be considered shoulder season.
Additionally, shoulder season can be influenced by spring break and other special events or holidays, which are exceptions to standard shoulder season discounts. Countries in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas often see a surge in tourism during holidays like Christmas and Easter along with seasonal school breaks. Consequently, businesses frequently raise prices on flights and accommodations during these times.
Even within the shoulder season, prices can fluctuate between weekdays and weekends, depending on whether the property or service is primarily utilized by business travelers or weekend vacationers. Therefore, it is advisable to visit your destination’s official website and inquire with the reservation manager about any packages or special offers before planning your stay.
