ABSTRACT
In his seminal book, Tuan (1977: 102) states that space and architecture are related and that the physical elements within spaces can facilitate the psychological emotions that create a place experience. While extensive tourism research involves the notion of place, particularly in the form of spectacular landscapes, sites and constructions being a destination’s ‘pull factors’ (Crompton 1979; Dann 1977), the interactions between tourists and the physical structures in place seem to be partly neglected. The purpose of this chapter, therefore, is to explore place experience within holiday home destinations and to scrutinise how the making of place may happen as an interactive process between its tourists and the architecture of space. The empirical foundation focuses on the region of North Jutland (Denmark), a tourist destination sold for its scenic landscapes of swaggering woodlands, blossoming meadows and harsh coastlines. Accounting for 59 per cent of all foreign overnight stays in 2010 (Danmarks Statistik 2011), the rental of holiday homes situated along the coastlines makes up the main leisure tourism accommodation within the region, the primary target group being families with dependent children (VisitDenmark 2005). Existing research (Haldrup 2004; Larsen and Therkelsen 2011) has shown that, although combining their stay with excursions to attractions, renters spend a significant part of the holiday within the holiday home and the nearby natural surroundings, notably the beach, whilst several other studies of the family holiday show the importance of spending time together, having accessible fun and exciting activities, and the possibility of children meeting other children (Fodness 1992; Gram and Therkelsen 2003; Thornton et al. 1997). However, while the external supply of experiences during the summer might fulfill children’s need for activities, the holiday home and its surroundings are characterised by small-scale suburban structure and architecture that lack space for adventure and activities, thus limiting the immediate place experience (Dirckinck-Holmfeld and Selmer 2006; Laursen 2011; Nørgaard and Clausen 2004). Hence, it seems relevant to examine how the family with children in fact experience place within the spaces of a holiday home destination.
