26 November 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes today’s announcement by Iberia Express of a new flight from Madrid to Cork for summer 2016. The service will operate twice weekly, from mid-June to mid-September, helping to boost leisure and business travel from Spain to Cork and the South of Ireland.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said:
“The introduction of this new Iberia Express flight from Madrid to Cork is more good news for Irish tourism in 2016 and will expand travel options for Spanish holidaymakers wishing to visit Cork and the South of Ireland. We look forward to working closely with Iberia Express and Cork Airport to maximise the promotion of the new service. As an island destination, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in visitor numbers. Tourism Ireland is committed to working with Iberia Express, Cork Airport and other tourism interests, to drive demand for this new flight and to help maintain our vital network of routes.”
Mr Gibbons continued:
“Spain is an important market for tourism to the island of Ireland and 2015 looks set to be another record year for Spanish visitors, with yesterday’s CSO figures showing an increase of +14% for August to October. We are determined to ensure that growth continues. We have a busy promotional campaign under way right now – aimed at boosting late-season travel to Ireland from Spain and to position us well for 2016.”
