Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
contribution to the development of testable theory. Interest has tended to
focus on concepts (e.g. social carrying capacity) and the intricacies of
methodology (e.g. attitude scales and factor analysis). Of course
conceptual and methodological development is a vital part of research, but
the main criticism here relates to the degree to which there has been
introspection.
(Owen 1984:173)
In view of these comments, attention is now turned to the geographer's contribution to
the analysis of rural tourism.
INSIGHT: Second homes in the countryside
The utilisation of second homes represents a significant portion of the leisure activities of
many tourists and day trippers in a number of countries around the world, and as such
they are an integral, though often ignored component of both domestic and international
tourism (Jaakson 1986; Hall and Müller 2004). Second homes are defined by Shucksmith
(1983) as
a permanent building which is the occasional residence of a household
that usually lives elsewhere and which is primarily used for recreation
purposes. This definition excludes caravans, boats, holiday cottages
(rented for a holiday) and properties in major cities and industrial towns.
(Shucksmith 1983:174)
Shucksmith's definition is comparable to a number of approaches to second home
research such as in Scandinavia and Canada, where the primary focus is the summer
cottage. However, it should be noted that mobile second homes, such as caravans and
camper trailers, are also a very significant form of holidaying that has had very little
research undertaken on it.
The size of the second home market can be substantial. For example, in Finland it is
estimated that in 2003 there were 465,000 second homes meaning that every sixth family
owned a second home, while every other family had access to a second home through
friends or extended family relations (Hitunen and Pitkänen 2004). In 1999, 7 per cent
(823,000) of Canadian households owned second homes or cottages, with 77 per cent of
these households owning second homes in Canada (Svenson 2004). In Denmark second
homes are the most important category of recreational accommodation, with
approximately 220,000 second homes available to the 5.2 million people living in
Denmark (Tress 2002). In Sweden there are between 500,000 and 700,000 second homes,
with second homes accounting for 23 per cent of all overnight stays (Lundmark and
Marjavaara 2004). In the case of New Zealand no accurate census or housing information
exists on second homes, however approximately 8 per cent of domestic overnight stays
occurs in second homes; while for holiday and leisure purposes, holiday homes or baches
account for an even greater proportion (13.9 per cent) of the accommodation used (Keen
and Hall 2004).
