The integration of second home owners into rural communities poses a complex challenge that remains little addressed in conservative developing countries’ context. Guided by integration theory, this qualitative study explores the integration of second home owners in Iran. The findings demonstrate that second home owners’ integration processes are manifested in three distinct forms: environmental-physical, socio-cultural, and mental-psychological. These types of integration significantly influence the dynamics of tourism development and community cohesion in the studied rural communities. Overall, this research contributes to integration theory by exploring second home owner adaption to rural environmental, sociocultural norms and deepens understanding of the social implications of second home ownership within conservative rural communities. The study also expands knowledge of place attachment and identity formation by investigating how the presence of second home owners influences the identity and sense of place for both tourists and local residents. By recognizing the complex nature of integration, the findings offer practical implications for improving the integrating second home owners into rural destinations.

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