Authors

• Nieminen, Markku (Statistics Finland. Interview and Survey Services)

Keywords

expenditure, holidays, labour force, leisure time, local community facilities, second homes, telework, waste disposal and handling, water supply

Abstract

The survey described Finnish leisure-time housing in 2008. The questions charted the use of the free-time residence, as well as its standard of equipment, water supply, sewerage, and waste disposal. In addition, some questions investigated the use of services in the municipality the free-time residence is located in. Leisure-time housing in Finland is a large phenomenon with deep historical and cultural roots, and it represents a significant part of domestic tourism. In this survey, the term "free-time residence" refers to rural recreational residences (holiday homes, cottages) mainly used during weekends and holidays, especially during summertime.

The use of free-time residence was charted by asking the respondents for example about the distance between their free-time residence and permanent residence in kilometres and hours, the location of their free-time residence, and its suitability for year-round habitation. They were also asked to indicate the number of days their free-time residence had been used each month in the last 12 months, as well as the number of people who had spent at least one night at the free-time residence. Willingness to rent out the free-time residence to other people was also queried. The respondents were asked to tell whether their use of free-time residence had increased or decreased in the last three years, and to estimate whether it will increase or decrease in the next three years. In addition, they were asked whether a household member had commuted to work from or worked at the free-time residence, and whether they themselves were willing to do remote work at the free-time residence.

Questions related to standard of equipment covered the total floorage, access to electricity, heating, and various equipment in the free-time residence. Views were also probed on the accommodation capacity, improvements made in the last 12 months, and future improvements. In addition, the respondents were asked to rate the overall state of the main building.

Water supply was investigated by asking the respondents how they obtained drinking, cooking, and washing water. In view of waste disposal, they were asked how they dealt with waste water from the sauna, what type of outdoor latrine they had, and how the waste disposal at the free-time residence was organised in general.

Related to services, the respondents were queried about the distance to the nearest grocery store, health centre, library, post office, bus stop, and post box. The respondents themselves as well as their household members were asked whether they had plans to officially move to the municipality their free-time residence was located in within the next three years. Satisfaction with various services available in the proximity of the free-time residence was canvassed, as well as willingness to buy various services. In addition, the respondents were asked whether they usually bought groceries and other goods and services from a store/company located in their municipality of residence, along the way, or in the municipality their free-time residence was located in.

Some questions charted the use of money. The respondents were asked about the average amount of money used per day spent at the free-time residence, and the amount of money used in building or repairing, other goods (e.g. fuel, furniture, gardening tools), and leisure time services in the last 12 months. In addition, the annual amount of various user charges related to the free-time residence (e.g. real property tax, private road fees, harbour and quay dues, and waste collection, electricity, waste water, and telephone charges) was examined.

Background variables included the respondent's household size and income, region where the free-time residence is located in, and year of construction of the free-time residence.