A new island resident survey has been launched by the Atlantic Technological University to gather the perspectives of islanders as to the sustainability of tourism on their island home and community.
The aim of the study is to enhance the understanding of the true cost and benefit of tourism to the islands, and how best to maximise the economic return for the communities, while reducing and eliminating the damage caused by tourism to the environment and the sociocultural identity of the islands.
The overall output of the study will inform planning, management, and policy considerations on and for the islands.
The information gathered will also allow for knowledge sharing and comparison with other islands included in the study.
The islands included in the study are those off County Galway, and Árainn Mhóir and Oileáin Thoraí in County Donegal.
Third party verified and independently carried out by researchers at the ATU, the resident survey is the second stage of a wider study being conducted by ATU PhD researcher Colm Barcoe.
The study is being undertaken to measure and monitor the impact of tourism on the island economies, communities, heritages, and environment.
The first stage of the study gathered the perspective of the tourists visiting each island during the 2022 season.
Tourism businesses on each island will also be surveyed early in 2023.
