ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces second home tourism as a significant contemporary phenomenon with multiple dimensions. By reviewing the history of research on second home tourism the chapter points out that second home tourism is a growing and internationalising field of study. The chapter identifies a number of challenges for future research. It is argued that the term “second homes” is to be seen as an umbrella concept since second home tourism can occur in many different shapes dependent on variations in a number of factors. The combination of factors influences to what extent second homes are seen as a “curse or blessing” and whether second home tourism is seen as a challenge or opportunity.
