What Is Perishable in Tourism?

By Robert Palmer

Are you planning a trip? One thing you need to consider is the concept of perishability in tourism.

Perishability refers to the fact that travel products such as airline seats, hotel rooms, and tour packages cannot be stored or saved for future use. Once the time period for the product has passed, it is gone forever. In this article, we will explore what perishable means in tourism and how it affects travelers.

Understanding Perishability in Tourism

Perishability is a fundamental concept in the tourism industry. It means that travel products have a limited shelf life.

For example, if an airline flight takes off with empty seats, the lost revenue cannot be recouped. Similarly, if a hotel room remains vacant for a night, that room’s revenue potential is lost forever.

Why Is Perishability Important?

Perishability is important because it impacts pricing and availability of travel products. Travel suppliers such as airlines and hotels need to strike a balance between maximizing revenue and ensuring that their products are not left unsold. They do this by implementing dynamic pricing strategies that adjust prices based on demand.

For example, during peak travel season when demand is high, airfare prices tend to be more expensive than during off-peak periods when demand is low. Similarly, hotels may offer discounts during slow periods to encourage bookings.

How Does Perishability Affect Travelers?

Perishability affects travelers’ ability to secure travel products at desirable prices and times. Travelers who wait until the last minute to book their flights or hotel rooms may find themselves paying exorbitant prices due to high demand.

Moreover, travelers who are inflexible with their travel dates may find it challenging to secure preferred flights or hotel rooms during peak periods. However, those who are flexible can take advantage of lower prices during off-peak times when demand is low.

Conclusion

Perishability is a critical concept in the tourism industry that impacts pricing, availability, and revenue potential of travel products. Travelers need to understand how it works to make informed decisions about their travel plans. By being flexible with travel dates and booking early during peak periods, travelers can secure desirable travel products at favorable prices.