Seasonal Visitation at Fort Edmonton Park: An Empirical Analysis Using a Leisure Constraints Framework

Abstract

Hinch and Jackson (2000) have argued that leisure constraints theory has value as a framework for understanding tourism seasonality. That paper reviewed the literature on seasonality in tourism and the evolution of leisure constraints research as part of its argument that leisure constraints theory holds much potential for gaining insight into the causes of seasonal variation in tourism. The logical follow-up to that argument is to test it through empirical analysis. This chapter uses a leisure constraints framework in an attempt to do just that. Empirical data were collected regarding the perceptions of visitors to Fort Edmonton Park — an historic park in Edmonton, Canada, in terms of their seasonal preferences related to visiting the attraction. The study is exploratory in nature and, while it provides important insights into the seasonal constraints from the visitors’ perspective, it is not claimed to be definitive. It does, however, contribute to our understanding of the way that leisure constraints theory can be used to understand seasonality in tourism.