Second Home Tourism and Agriculture in Rural Areas: Examining the Effects of Second Homes on Agricultural Resources in Northern Iran

Abstract

Second home tourism leads to new economic opportunities for local communities, and presents challenges for existing economic sectors in rural areas such as agriculture and l ivestock; it also fosters differing perceptions about the impact of appropriate development paths within rural areas. Despite the economic importance of second home tourism and its profound and often negative effects on the agriculture, no focused research of phenomenon has yet been conducted in Iran. The study aims to investigate second-home tourism in Iran with special reference to the perceptions of its positive and negative effects amongst second homeowners and local residents in the rural areas. The data were collected from 60 local household residents and 60 second homeowners randomly chosen. The data were first gathered through questionnaire, which was then used to analyse the second home tourism impacts on agriculture from the perception of tourism stakeholders. The research proves that uncontrolled second home development negatively affects natural attractions and agricultural resources in mountainous areas of Babol district, and overall northern Iran. Thus, there is more conflict existing between the two industries rather than synergy. Thereby, controlling second home tourism is one of the key factors for sustainable rural and agricultural development in the area.