Parishes, town councils, development trusts and other rural organisations are being asked to complete a questionnaire which asks for views on three central themes - how the annual influx of tourists affect health, housing and transport.
The study has been launched by Berwick Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee.
Chairman, Coun David Stewart, said the study would provide accurate and valuable information which could be passed on to the new unitary council when it comes into force next year.
The questionnaire has been drawn up by Sue Finch, the council's democratic services officer, who said the idea was to canvass the opinions of anyone whose ability to provide services to rural communities might be affected by having to provide for a very substantial increase in the number of people.
"The questions might generate some useful answers," she said.
Coun Diana Beith said one of the fundamental questions which needed to be asked was whether the length of the tourist season was increasing, and whether rural communities were being asked to cope with year-round visitors.
On housing, rural communities are being asked to what extent the number of holiday and second homes is a factor on the ability of local people to live within their own community.
Coun Peter Watts said this was an important point. In the borough as a whole, about 10 per cent of properties are either holiday or second homes, but this rises to 50 per cent in some of the smaller settlements, such as Beadnell.
Rural groups are also to be asked whether they think holiday visitors and employees of visitor facilities are in competition for the available rented accommodation.
They are also to be asked whether the seasonal nature of tourism and the ad-hoc visits made by second home owners has a detrimental impact on rural shops and other services.
On transport, the committee is keen to hear views on whether the influx of tourists is a key factor in ensuring road, bus and rail services continue to be available for residents.
On health, with an extra 100,000 people flooding the area during peak holiday times, rural groups are being asked if they think this means access to GPs and other health services for local people is affected.
The question of whether emergency services are able to provide the same level of cover as at other times of the year is also flagged up.
The questionnaire also touches on the possible problems of water supply, asking whether there are any noticeable effects at the taps due to the number of tourists.
"Tourism revenue is important to the economic wellbeing of all parts of Berwick borough and is considered to be a key driver in the viability of the borough's coastal towns and villages as well as rural communities inland," explained Mrs Finch.
"The net benefit to rural communities is less clear, since the visitor economy can have a significant impact on the availability and quality of services for residents.
"The reason for engaging with the rural communities is to collect evidence about the challenges and opportunities which may be specific to Berwick.
"The evidence collected may assist the joint overview and scrutiny committee and joint implementation team as they develop their scrutiny and policy activities across Northumberland."
Coun Stewart added: "We need to try to build a picture of where we are at the minute to pass on to the emerging unitary authority.
"We need to give a contemporary picture."
Questionnaires are currently being circulated and the responses are due to be reported to the next meeting of Berwick Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee on October 16.