Generation y and second homes: continuity and change in finnish outdoor recreation

• Kati Pitkänen ; Riikka Puhakka ; Jussi Semi ; C. Michael Hall ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Canterbury

     University of Canterbury

     Nueva Zelanda

     
• Localización: Tourism review international, ISSN 1544-2721, Vol. 18, Nº. 3, 2014, págs. 207-221
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Second home tourism is one of the most popular forms of nature-based recreation in Finland and other Nordic countries. A recurrent explanation for its popularity is the idea of postwar Baby Boom generation's return to their roots in the countryside. Younger generations, however, do not share a similar life history in the countryside and human-nature relationship than older generations. This generational shift may have consequences on the future of second homes as well as rural economies. In this article we ask is Generation Y interested in second home tourism? How important are second homes to their leisure patterns? And what is the role of nature for visiting second homes? The study is based on a survey sent to 4,000 Finnish citizens. The results suggest that interest in second homes will not decline with Generation Y. The youth had access to second homes equally often as older respondents and they were even more eager to get a second home in the future. There were no differences in the valuation of amenities at second homes and the youth did not appreciate services and leisure facilities any more than older respondents. The centrality of the cottage in Finnish life will likely remain strong for many years to come.