The word festival refers to any event that is celebrated and annouced in a society, culture or regime. Although festival procedures and tones have changed through time, the festival crowd remains the same. In the past, kings’ troops walked the streets and patrolled the crowd on horseback. In the present, the king is more often the main organizer and usually assigns a designated director to oversee the festival. Here are some of the characteristics of a festival:
Tourists’ size increases considerably during a festival. Food outlets and handicrafts vendors increase their sales, and hotels and cab drivers gain a brisk business. Festivals also help the local economy by triggering an extra demand for their goods and services. The economy of the city or region benefits as a result of the festival frenzy. Tourism to the area is booming and the brisk pace of festival activities creates an extra demand for local businesses.
Before you embark on a festival vacation, set a budget. Festivals are often held in large cities, so planning your budget and your itinerary is imperative. Remember, most festivals are located in cities and are spread across multiple venues. So, plan ahead to save money for souvenirs and other luxuries. Just like with any other holiday, festival tourism comes with its drawbacks. You may be overwhelmed by the rush and lose your sense of logical thought.
During a festival, locals keep a close eye on the impact of the event on the local economy. They monitor the size of the crowds festive attractions attract and decide whether to increase the prices, add new features, or make the area more accessible to tourists. They also study how the festival affects local employment, and determine whether the festival is worth the extra investment. If you have the time, you’ll be amazed by the number of people who will flock to the festival, especially in the summer!
The carnival season is traditionally celebrated just before Lent. The main carnival events are held in February. Because Lent requires religious followers to give up certain luxuries, carnival is their last chance to indulge in such things. This festival is celebrated on the streets with colourful floats, costumes, masks, confetti, music and dancing. There is even a float parade that takes place during the festival! It is an event not to miss if you’re visiting Spain.
Another social benefit of festivals is education. Although education isn’t the main goal of a festival, it’s bound to happen. During a festival, locals can learn about topics they would not otherwise have considered. This, in turn, can enhance the reputation of the community. If, on the other hand, the event is a failure, then the community suffers and the festival organizers must find a way to avoid further damage while making the most of the opportunity.
A genuine travel agent can also help festival tourists organize their trip. A travel agent knows the area well and can advise on budgeting as well as transportation, accommodation, and food. In addition, he or she knows how to navigate the festival crowd, as well as traffic rules. Thus, a genuine travel agent can save you valuable time and ensure you get the most out of your festival trip. So, it’s worth your while to hire a tour operator for your festival trip.