18 April 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
For every 1000 extra tourists that visit Cork – 18 direct jobs are created in Tourism related industries – according to Failte Ireland.
Ireland now welcomes 10% of all American visitors to Europe and Cork MEP and member of the EU Tourism taskforce Deirdre Clune thinks that Cork is now well positioned to dramatically increase its share of the US tourism market.
“I am calling on Tourism Ireland to launch a significant marketing campaign in Boston, and later in New York, to sell Cork as a destination. The decision to tentatively grant Norwegian Airlines a license to fly between Cork and the US will allow Cork to position itself as the perfect place to begin and end any Irish adventure. Cork is positioned neatly between the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East and will now have direct flights to the US.
“Research has shown that US tourists tend to spend more and stay longer with 56% of them staying in hotels and 24% staying in guesthouses and B&BS. At present the majority of US visitors go to Dublin as their first port of call, over Cork, and I think there is scope to make Cork an attractive place to begin and end their Irish adventure.
“Failte Ireland have committed to investing 19 million in the Wild Atlantic Way in 2016. They have conceded in their annual tourism review that international recognition of the Wild Atlantic Way brand needs to improve and have committed to improving the awareness of the way in markets like the US.
“I think it is imperative that we seize this opportunity in Cork and push for a significant marketing campaign highlighting the best that Cork has to offer.
