Second-Home Ownership and Place Attachment: Drivers of Visitation, Word-of-Mouth Promotion, and Hosting

Abstract

This study examined the role of nonresident home owners in Costa Rica using a theoretical model based on a two-dimensional construct of place attachment. Place identity and place dependence were examined as drivers of visitation, word-of-mouth promotion, and hosting. The findings of this study support a two-dimensional place attachment construct and suggest that the place identity dimension is the primary driver of visitation and word-of-mouth promotion among current nonresident home owners. The study also revealed diminishing word-of-mouth promotion as visitation increased. The study introduces a new construct, hosting, and examines the role of visitation and word-of-mouth promotion on hosting visiting friends and relatives. The results and discussion provide important theoretical and managerial implications for tourism.