IMPACTS OF SECOND HOME TOURISM ON SHAPING REGIONAL IDENTITY IN THE REGIONS WITH SIGNIFICANT RECREATIONAL FUNCTION

Abstract

This contribution represents a theoretical and methodological entrance into the research of impacts of second home tourism on shaping regional identity. It consists of a summary of international multidisciplinary theoretical concepts concerned second home tourism – transformation theory, territorial organization, suburbanization, de-urbanization, leisure and amenity migration concepts, spatial and hierarchical diffusion, tourist area life cycle, irritation theory, shift from tourist society to leisure society, residential tourism and lifestyle migration concepts, demographical change concepts, sense of home theory, behavioral concepts of shaping identity which arise from "new" regional and cultural geographies. The empirical part follows the latter theoretical concepts and is focused on analyses of the process of shaping regional identity and identity of regions in the areas with considerable concentration of settlements and municipalities with prevailing tourist function. It deals with identification of the inner development potential of localities and regions from socioeconomic and socio-cultural views. The analyses emphasize both identity of regions and belonging of residents and tourists with the territory. Informants of the field, questionnaire survey and structured interviews were residents and second home owners and users. Conclusions indicate small differences in residents/second home owners´ opinions. Both groups performed strong local identity. Second home users are highly involved in public life and social events. Final part outlines further research directions.