Through new theoretical insights, methodological developments, and empirical research, this book provides a fresh overview of international second-home research. Bringing together studies from across the globe, it examines the economic, social, and environmental impacts of second homes, including their effects on local economies, communities, housing markets, ecosystems, and natural resources. With mobility and multi-locality as central themes, the volume examines how post-Covid mobility trends, technological developments, and changing work patterns are transforming second homes into spaces for remote work and seasonal living. These developments challenge traditional distinctions between ‘home’ and ‘away’ and have important implications for planning and rural development. The book also addresses methodological challenges in second-home research, particularly limitations in statistical classifications and data collection. By presenting new frameworks and approaches, the chapters contribute to more accurate and comprehensive research.

Gijsbert Hoogendoorn is Professor of Tourism Geography at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research interests lie in Tourism Geography, with a particular focus on second-home tourism, a topic he has explored for over 20 years across various themes. He has published extensively on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of second-home tourism, with case studies in South Africa, Sweden, China, and Mozambique. In addition to his work on second-home tourism, Professor Hoogendoorn has authored over 100 articles, monographs, and conference proceedings, covering topics such as climate change and tourism in Southern Africa and urban tourism in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Andreas Back is an Assistant Professor in Human Geography at Umeå University, Sweden. His research focuses on second-home tourism, regional development, public planning, and rural housing. He examines how the mobility of people, resources, and capital affects society, particularly through the lens of leisure tourism and its impact on municipal planning and housing markets. His doctoral thesis explored how second-home tourism influences social planning and housing markets in municipalities, highlighting the dynamic interplay between society and the economy. Currently, Back's research delves into the planning challenges connected to abandoned rural housing.

Dieter Müller was a Professor of Social and Economic Geography at Umeå University, Sweden. His research primarily focuses on tourism and regional development, particularly in peripheral and Arctic regions. Müller extensively studied second homes, Sami tourism, nature tourism, and the broader impacts of tourism on regional development and rural change. In addition to his academic roles, Müller held several significant positions, including chairing the International Geographical Union Commission on Tourism, Leisure, and Global Change, and founding member of the International Polar Tourism Research Network. He was also involved in various boards and committees, such as the Arctic Centre at Umeå University and the Umeå School of Sport Sciences. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Roy Wolfe Award from the American Association of Geographers and his election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Müller's work is characterized by a strong emphasis on collaboration and internationalization, as evidenced by his leadership in projects like the Arctic Five, which fosters cooperation among universities in the Arctic region.