As our time in Donegal continues, I have started paying closer attention not only to the places we visit but also to the people experiencing them alongside us. Throughout the week, we have seen tourism take many different forms, from the lively atmosphere of the Downings Festival to the scenic pull of the Wild Atlantic Way and the quieter appeal of places like Murder Hole Beach. While each destination attracts visitors for different reasons, they have all made me think about an important question that extends beyond tourism itself: when people visit a place, who actually benefits from their presence? It is a question that feels especially relevant as my group continues developing recommendations for Carrigart. 

One of the most interesting observations I made was how different each group of visitors seemed to be. The Downings Festival felt heavily rooted in the local community, with families, residents, and visitors from neighboring towns all coming together to celebrate. While there were certainly tourists present, the event felt like something created first for the people who live there. The Wild Atlantic Way attracted a much broader audience. Throughout our travels, it was easy to spot rental cars, tour buses, cyclists, and travelers making their way along the coast. Many of these visitors appeared to be passing through, stopping briefly to admire the scenery before continuing on to their next destination. Murder Hole Beach offered yet another experience. Unlike the more formal attractions, many people seemed to have discovered it through recommendations, social media, or word of mouth. Visitors were willing to seek it out because of its reputation, even though reaching it required considerably more effort than many of the region’s other destinations. 

Watching these different types of tourism unfold made me realize that attracting visitors and supporting the local economy are not always the same thing. A scenic viewpoint may draw thousands of people every year, but if those visitors simply stop for photographs before driving away, very little of that tourism translates into lasting economic benefit for the surrounding community. Festivals, local businesses, restaurants, and accommodations are much more likely to encourage visitors to spend both time and money within a town. In other words, tourism creates the greatest impact when visitors become participants in the local community rather than simply passing through it. 

This idea has made me think differently about Carrigart and the recommendations my group is developing. Throughout our research, we have often discussed ways to attract more visitors, but after spending time exploring Donegal, I have begun asking a different question. Rather than focusing solely on increasing visitor numbers, I think it is more important to consider how Carrigart can encourage people to engage with the town itself. The village already benefits from its proximity to remarkable attractions and the Wild Atlantic Way, yet many travelers may never fully experience everything the town has to offer. Simply bringing more people into the area will not necessarily strengthen local businesses if those visitors continue driving to the next destination without stopping. 

I now believe that Carrigart’s greatest opportunity lies in transforming visitors from passersby into guests. That means creating reasons for people to linger a little longer, whether through local shops, cafés, community events, storytelling, or experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Throughout this program, I have learned that successful tourism is not measured only by the number of people who arrive but by the connections they form with a place while they are there. As we continue refining our consulting recommendations, I think that distinction may become one of the most important lessons we take away from our time in Donegal. After all, being visited is only the first step. The real success comes when those visits help strengthen the community that welcomes them.