The Struggle of Second Homes: A Tale of Discontent in Tourist Hotspots
France, with its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, has long been a magnet for holidaymakers seeking respite from the mundane. However, the proliferation of second homes fuels a brewing conflict beneath the veneer of idyllic retreats. Gérardmer, nestled amidst the tranquil Vosges mountains, bore witness to this tension in 2022 when an environmental saboteur targeted outdoor jacuzzis, emblematic of a broader struggle between tourists and locals amid a water shortage emergency.
Gérardmer is not the only tourist hub in Europe experiencing this issue. Cornwall, Wales, Barcelona, and Lisbon resonate with similar narratives of residents being priced out, as over 90% of properties in some French communities stand as second homes. This phenomenon isn't solely the realm of the wealthy; affordable prices in rural zones make owning a holiday home an attainable luxury for many.
Yet, the dreamy landscapes that attract tourists are the very ones where communities are losing their housing to transient visitors. In ski resort towns like Germ in the Haut-Pyrénées, nearly 97% of properties are second homes, leaving local residents grappling with housing shortages and escalating prices.
The consequences extend beyond mere inconvenience. Thousands of communes designated as 'zones tendues' witnessed a surge in housing tax on second homes, a measure aimed at mitigating the housing crisis and reclaiming housing for locals. This is illustrated by Saint-Tropez, where a tax hike on holiday properties generated funds earmarked for affordable housing initiatives.
However, discontent simmers beneath the surface. Vandalism in Gérardmer and Brittany serves as a stark reminder of community frustration. Graffiti bearing slogans like "No more rich people" and "Brittany for the Bretons" underscore the visceral response to the perceived injustice of locals being priced out of their own communities.
The UK mirrors these tensions, with Cornwall bearing the brunt of escalating property prices and dwindling housing options for locals. Graffiti messages imploring second-home owners to "give something back" epitomise the frustration of communities witnessing their neighbourhoods transform into seasonal ghost towns.
In response, councils across the UK are implementing measures to curb the influx of second homes. Scotland abolishing council tax discounts, Wales announcing substantial tax hikes, and Devon doubling council tax on second homes all signal a concerted effort to address the issue at its root.
Yet, the battle against the tide of second homes isn't just about economics; it's about preserving the fabric of communities and reclaiming a sense of ownership over one's homeland. Richard Baylay, a retired crab fisherman from Devon, poignantly reflects, "When I was young, Salcombe was a very different place. We'll never get it back. We once owned it, but now it has vanished."
The struggle against the proliferation of second homes is a fight for the soul of these cherished locales—a fight to ensure that the essence of community and belonging endures amidst the transient flux of tourist dollars.