Institute of Geography and Sustainability of the University of Lausanne
Research projects
Second homes: what changes in practices following the COVID-19 crisis?
Research fields |
Cultures and natures of tourism |
Keywords |
Second homes Covid-19 Tourist destinations Alps Territorial development |
Funding | Service du développement territorial de l'État du Valais |
Duration | Juin 2022 - Juin 2023 |
Website | |
Researchers |
Clivaz Christophe (Project co-coordinator) [web] [email] Kebir Leïla (Project coordinator) [web] [email] Overney Géraldine (Doctoral student) [web] [email] |
The years 2020 and 2021 were hit by the COVID-19 health crisis. This crisis has had many economic and societal impacts and multiple changes have been observed. To name a few, the coronavirus has impacted mobility (stay-at-home recommendations and teleworking) and tourism (collapse of foreign visitor nights and increase in local tourism). Travel restrictions and the rise of teleworking have encouraged the occupation of second homes and the interest and demand for this type of accommodation. It would seem that the uses of second homes have also changed, with a shift in the perception of the home from a recreational and tourist destination to a refuge from pandemics and a place to work. But what has really happened during the crisis, what will remain of these changes after the crisis and what are the implications for the municipalities?
The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the different changes in practices among second home owners and their implications on the territories concerned. These changes may concern the frequency and duration of the stay, the season in which the owners visit their residence, the activities carried out, the use of new services, the involvement in the life of the destination, teleworking or even the rental of the property.