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).