Alexandre TANNAI, Université du littoral Côte d'Opale, France
The tourist functions of the seaside resorts of northern France are being rediscussed following the increase in the number of second homes. The majority of owners are retired, freed from all time constraints. Their role thus influences the uses and services of these places, which have to respond to a greater flexibility in terms of presence, supported by mobility and infrastructures (Stock, 2006). This development raises questions about the status of this population, which calls into question the definition of a secondary resident as a tourist, set by the UNWTO and adopted by national institutions (Stock et al., 2017).
The behaviour of retired secondary residents reflects a hybrid of uses of the area between residentiality (seeking services, peace and quiet, and everyday activities) and touristicity (seeking leisure and recreational activities for themselves and their grandchildren during the school holidays in a place that is not part of their everyday life) (Knafou et al., 1997 ; Talandier, Jousseaume, 2013). This statutory vagueness also calls into question the choices made by municipalities in the development of resorts and the investment plans for maintaining a dynamic economy in seaside resorts (Morice et al., 2008).
This article proposes to review this status of tourist for secondary residents, through a study carried out with retired secondary residents which, through their knowledge of the territory and their experience of life in the seaside resort, makes it possible to understand the complexity of their living habits and to bring a clearer vision in the choices of development of the territory of seaside resorts.
Mots clés : Secondary resident|Tourists|Hybridation of uses|Tourism|Seaside resorts
A103172AT