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 focused on leisure-time housing in Finland. The main themes pertained to the use of the free-time residence, its amenities, waste disposal, the use of local services in the municipality where the free-time residence was located, and expenditure. Leisure-time housing is an important phenomenon in Finland and 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, particularly in summer.

The use of the residence was charted with questions on the distance between the free-time residence and permanent residence, the location of the free-time residence, its suitability for year-round habitation, the number of days the residence had been used each month in the last 12 months, as well as the number of people who had spent nights there. Willingness to rent out to other people and changes in the use of the residence were investigated. In addition, the respondents 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 there.

Questions related to amenities covered floor space, access to electricity, heating, and various types of facilities in the free-time residence. Accommodation capacity, improvements made in the last 12 months and planned improvements were charted. 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 main building and the sauna, what type of toilet they had, and how the waste disposal at the free-time residence was organised in general.

Related to services, the respondents were asked about the distance to the nearest grocery store, health centre, library, post office, bus stop, and post box. Plans of any household member to officially move to the municipality where their free-time residence was located in were canvassed, as well as satisfaction with various services available in the proximity of the residence and 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.

A number of questions explored expenditure. 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 household size, household income, the year when the free-time residence had been constructed, and the region where it was located.