Cork city and county are to be actively promoted in Germany and Canada as part of efforts to grow visitor numbers by up to 10%.
Tourism currently accounts for one in every ten jobs in Cork, employing some 22,500 people across the county.
Visit Cork – the official tourism group charged with promoting the country’s largest county – has outlined its ambitions at its annual tourism industry day in Cork.
It has identified Canada as its priority market from 2026, alongside continued focus on the US, UK, Spain, France and the Netherlands.
And with increased frequency on the Frankfurt-Cork air service this summer, Germany is also being targeted for increased visitor numbers.
More than 150 local tourism and hospitality representatives attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said Cork is well positioned to grow its share of the international tourism market, but must diversify its overseas focus.
“Cork sits at the intersection of Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, giving us a unique positioning nationally and internationally. While the US remains important, it is vital that we are not over-reliant and continue to develop new overseas growth markets,” he said.