Tourist length of stay: challenges for Ohrid (North Macedonia)

This paper analyzes the stay patterns of tourists visiting Ohrid, the most famous tourist destination in North Macedonia. It reveals critical insights into seasonal tourism dynamics from 2000 to 2024. Using standard statistical calculations, the study assesses the average length of stay for domestic, foreign, and total tourists, alongside monthly variations and long-term trends. Results indicate a clear decline in the average length of stay for all categories relative to the average period, particularly after 2012. A slight a year-on-year peak appeared among foreign tourists in 2021, representing a post-COVID recovery that briefly exceeded the average. Domestic tourists stay significantly longer on average (5.68 days) than foreign tourists (2.53 days), likely due to familiarity and proximity, while the total average of 4.51 days, tends to mask the sharper drop among foreigners. A deeper monthly analysis uncovers distinct seasonal patterns: while summer months (July and August) drive peaks for both groups, domestic tourists exhibit 2.5 times higher (142% longer stays) than foreign visitors. Conversely, spring, autumn, and winter months maintain brief stays of 2 days or less, confirming Ohrid’s profile as a summer-oriented destination. Theoretically, this study integrates length-of-stay metrics into the tourism seasonality theory. Empirically, the findings assist local governance to incorporate the destination’s dual-market insights when creating tourism development plans aimed at extending foreign stays and balancing domestic seasonal peaks.