Do second home owners only play a secondary role in coastal territories

The aim of this paper is to enlighten the role second home owners can play within the dynamic of touristic coastal territories. Under the rising globalization, coastal zones are generally concerned with an important economic and demographic attractiveness. Second homes play a major part in this coastal pressure, first of all because of their number. In many cities, not only second homes form an important part of the housing stock, but they also represent numerous touristic accommodations and contribute to the local economy. Second homes owners are a hybrid population: somewhere between inhabitants and tourists, they are an example of new arts of dwelling and the mobility in our modern societies. They are alsoa subjectof considerable debate and controversy. We assume that, far from being “secondary”, this population takes a full part in their territories dynamics, especially in coastal and touristic zones. Our research group has conducted a methodological reflection in order to launch a pioneering study about second homes owners’ habits in Charente-Maritime. France being the first destination of international tourism, Charente-Maritime is the second touristic region in the country in terms of visits. As tourism represents the first economy in Charente-Maritime, the study leans on a significant partnership between La Rochelle University and local institutional and economic stakeholders. Thanks to this study, an important database has been built, and will be broadened in 2014 as the survey extends to all territories of Charente-Maritime. This paper presents some of first results.