Biosecurity Breaches and Tourist Vectoring: Assessing the Impact on Host Community Perception in Ireland
This research investigates host community perceptions of biosecurity breaches and tourist vectoring
in Ireland. The study employs a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with 77
members of host communities. Respondents were randomly selected residents of two tourist
destinations: County Sligo and County Clare. A thematic analysis was conducted on the interview
transcripts. The findings show that host communities are aware of threats from tourist vectoring,
particularly environmental damage from invasive species. However, there needs to be more
awareness of economic and sociocultural impacts. Host communities believe the tourism industry
must safeguard destinations from vectoring risks and advocate for more public consultation and
empowerment in biosecurity planning to incorporate resident values. Recommendations include
raising impact awareness through education, involving the community in developing appropriate
mitigation measures, and integrating community participation into sustainable tourism planning for
more effective and ethical biosecurity risk management, along with support for tourism through the
Social Exchange Theory (SET).
Keywords: responsible tourism, education for sustainable development, perception, awareness,
knowledge