LOW-INCOME EARNERS AS SECOND HOME TOURISTS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

This investigation draws on a continued research program on understanding second homes in South Africa. Processes of mobility, migration, and circulation are explored within this type of tourism. Thereafter, a research agenda is proposed in terms of the same processes as recreational second home users, but the focus shifts to nonrecreational/tribal/rural second home users or low-income earners as second home tourists in South Africa. Some similarities and differences are highlighted between high-income and low-income earners' second home usage patterns, in terms of temporal and spatial dimensions, including seasonality, distances traveled, purpose of visit, place connection, and rural linkages. It is proposed that the research focus of second home tourism be broadened to "poor persons" (or low-income earners) nationally and internationally, as part of second home tourism to develop a richer and more inclusive focus of investigation.