Second home tourism present and future. The case of Greece.

Akrivi Vagena

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v9i12.em2

Abstract

Second-home tourism is a rapidly growing form of tourism around the world. Being an integral part of rural areas and their history, second homes are an established example of the post-productive consumption of the countryside. Τhe expansion of urbanization and the pressures of the urban way of life, as well as the search for a pleasant climate and clean environment, have contributed particularly to the development of second home tourism globally. This study intends to investigate the present, the future and the impact of second home tourism on destinations, local people and tourists. The development of second home tourism, or tourist home is, undoubtedly, a strongly evolving social phenomenon. Activated by economically developed societies and is linked to income growth, urbanization, the possibility of geographical mobility and the increase of leisure time. This phenomenon operates and intensifies, almost in parallel with tourism. Also, the study investigates the effects of second home tourism in Greece, a very popular destination for international and domestic tourism. The country has been experienced a high growth of second home tourism in the last few years.

Highlights

Second homes are a significant issue in rural planning and policy according to Adamiak C. et al (2015)
Second homes are often seen as important contributors in local economies, and this can be especially important in the case of depopulating of rural areas
It will refer to the case of Greece, will try to evaluate the second home tourism phenomenon and analyse how the market is shaped and its conditions in the country

Summary

Introduction

Second homes are a significant issue in rural planning and policy according to Adamiak C. et al (2015). They are an increasingly popular subject of research in tourism and rural studies as an interdisciplinary and multifaceted phenomenon (Hall & Müller 2004; McIntyre et al 2006; Roca 2013; Hall 2014). Second homes are often seen as important contributors in local economies, and this can be especially important in the case of depopulating of rural areas. Second homes can have a negative social impact on destinations, including potential conflicts and poor cooperation between seasonal and local populations. It is increasingly observed that the practice of governance needs to be adapted for mobile populations and multi-dwelling practices due to Adamiak C. et al (2015)

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