Primary and secondary place of residence, the digital link and the rise of presence

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the gradual commercialisation of second homes in non-urban locations and identifie a spectrum that ranges from lending to rentals to home exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual one based on a review of literature relating to the acquisiting and use of secondary residences or “second homes”.

Findings

This paper observes that the secondary residence is often the object of a material over-investment that is symbolic and mental. The owners never quite leave their main place of residence when in the secondary one. The result is not two complementary spaces, but a hybrid space made up of the interlocking of the two. This paper also concludes that digitalization has made it easier to rent a secondary residence for a short period of time, using for instance the Airbnb platform, thus making it more an object of trade than a second home. From a sustainability perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to bring to the relatively rapid growth of short-term renting a halt. Further, it may encourage owners to be more psychologically and physically invested in their secondary residence, thereby contributing more to the local economy.

Originality/value

Few authors have considered the way digital tools can alter the relation with the secondary place of residence.

Citation

Bachimon, P., Eveno, P. and Gélvez Espinel, C. (2020), "Primary and secondary place of residence, the digital link and the rise of presence", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 369-385. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-05-2020-0033