Social and Economic Impacts of Second Homes in North Wales

Abstract

Tourism is the main source of income on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. As a
result of tourism the area suffers from a low period during the winter months, which
impacts on local residents in different ways. As a direct result of the area as a tourist
destination, holiday homes and second homes cause significant problems in the local
communities. The primary questions are to find both the social effects and the
economic effects from the views of local residents and the second home owners. The
nature of the impacts that second homes have in an area such as the Llyn peninsula
are varied, from positive impacts from second home owners bringing money into the
region and making towns more affluent to negative impacts such as local residents
being forced off the housing ladder by high house prices and having to move away
from the area for affordable housing and employment.