One in five people living in Ireland believe that tourism is placing too much pressure on their local area, with issues such as litter, parking, and traffic congestion being cited as problems.
A survey by Fáilte Ireland research found that while 20pc agreed tourists were putting pressure on their county, 71pc had experienced negative impacts from tourism. However, 79pc believed sufficient action was being taken to address these issues.
Despite some concerns, the survey showed that public sentiment towards tourism, both domestic and foreign, was positive, with 90pc agreeing that tourism was beneficial for their county.
Issues highlighted in the survey included increased litter and waste (28pc), difficulty finding parking (27pc), and longer journey times due to traffic and congestion (26pc).
Respondents expressed support for tourism, with 88pc personally benefiting from tourism activity, many noting the employment opportunities and cultural enrichment it brings. Suggestions for the industry included creating more local employment (34pc), improving infrastructure (33pc), and promoting off-peak season tourism (25pc).
