Primary and secondary place of residence, the digital link and the rise of presence

Purpose This paper aims to explore the gradual commercialisation of second homes in non-urban locations and identifie a spectrum that ranges from lending to rentals to home exchange. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a conceptual one based on a review of literature relating to the acquisiting and use of secondary residences or “second homes”. Findings This paper observes that the secondary residence is often the object of a material over-investment that is symbolic and mental. The owners never quite leave their main place of residence when in the secondary one. The result is not two complementary spaces, but a hybrid space made up of the interlocking of the two. This paper also concludes that digitalization has made it easier to rent a secondary residence for a short period of time, using for instance the Airbnb platform, thus making it more an object of trade than a second home. From a sustainability perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to bring to the relatively rapid growth of short-term renting a halt. Further, it may encourage owners to be more psychologically and physically invested in their secondary residence, thereby contributing more to the local economy. Originality/value Few authors have considered the way digital tools can alter the relation with the secondary place of residence.