Visit Cork Launches Major National and International Campaign to Grow Activity & Food Tourism 

Visit Cork, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, has launched a major new national and international tourism campaign designed to position Cork as a leading destination for immersive, experience-led travel, while also encouraging locals to rediscover the remarkable experiences on their own doorstep.

The ‘Experience Cork’ campaign celebrates the warmth, wit and welcoming nature of Cork people, alongside our renowned food scene, culture, adventure activities and spectacular natural beauty.

And while the campaign will reach audiences across Ireland and overseas, it also carries a simple message for those living here: take the tour you always meant to book, hop on a boat to an island off our coast, explore your own city on a food tour, or head for an adventure in the countryside.

Support by the Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the Experience Cork campaign represents a significant commitment to growing activity and food tourism in the region.  

It comes as demand for such authentic travel continues to surge. Industry research shows that more than 60% of overseas visitors to Ireland now cite activities and experiences as a key factor when choosing their destination, with experiential travel growing significantly faster than traditional sightseeing holidays. And while people often come for the adventures, they leave with an incredible taste for Cork’s food and return for more.

The aim of the campaign is to drive visitor growth, increase the amount of time people stay in Cork, and boost year-round revenue for Cork’s activity, experience and food sector.

Newly curated itineraries bring together activity operators, food experiences, cultural attractions and places to stay across the county, making it easy to plan a two- or three-day short break, or a longer escape. Locals and visitors alike can indulge in a selection of premium experiences, from island hopping and kayaking to scenic cycling routes, gourmet food trails, heritage explorations and exhilarating wakeboarding.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Séamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said:  “Visitors today are looking for meaningful experiences, not just places to stay. The Experience Cork campaign showcases the exceptional depth, authenticity and warmth of the region, and the people who make it so special.

“Because experiencing Cork isn’t just about seeing the sights – it’s about diving right in. It’s getting out on the water and into the landscape, tasting the flavours of the land and sea, and meeting the locals who bring it all to life.

“Whether guiding visitors through historic streets, introducing the traders of the famous 18th-century English Market, navigating island waters known since childhood, or leading adventures through forests and coastal trails, it is the warmth and authenticity of Cork’s people that bring each experience to life – leaving visitors with that unmistakable feeling that draws them back to Cork again and again.”

Josephine O’Driscoll of Fáilte Ireland added,“What makes Cork so special is the sheer breadth of experiences it offers every visitor. Home to Ireland’s highest concentration of Michelin‑recognised restaurants, and an incredible mix of cafés, food trucks and gastro pubs, our chefs champion local produce and support a vibrant calendar of festivals and markets that celebrate Cork’s rich culinary heritage and strong sense of community. Beyond the table, the county offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland with endless opportunities for adventure or relaxation. From kayaking sheltered bays to discovering hidden villages, hiking scenic trails to enjoying local arts and traditional music. Cork blends its scenery, people and food in a way that is uniquely its own.”

Participating businesses have received professional photography and cinematic video production, digital marketing workshops and practical guidance sessions to help tell their stories more effectively to audiences in domestic and international markets. For many operators, this represents their first access to high-quality content creation at this scale.

The campaign will roll out across digital, social and trade channels in key domestic and international markets in the coming months.

For those at home, the message is simple: try the tour you always meant to book, take the boat you wave to from the shore, walk the streets with a guide and hear the stories behind them.

Explore curated itineraries and discover what’s waiting on your doorstep at www.purecork.ie/ExperienceCork.  #ExperienceCork #PureCork #WildAtlanticWay #IrelandsAncientEast #IrelandsHiddenHeartlands.