Cork Needs Tourism Initiative Like Dublin - FG

A dedicated tourism brand needs to be developed to promote and sell Cork, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has said.

Deputy Buttimer made the call following the announcement of a new branded tourism initiative for Dublin.

"I'm now asking the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD, to become directly involved in developing a tourism brand for Cork," Deputy Buttimer said.

"A dedicated and specific tourism brand needs to be developed to promote and sell Cork as a leading tourism destination. Cork city and county offer great attractions and have great potential. Although Cork is included as a major part of marketing campaigns, we must develop a unique brand for the city and county, so that we can increase our share of overseas visitors.

"Today, a new tourism brand and long-term campaign was launched for Dublin; 'Dublin – a breath of fresh air'. Obviously this is great for Dublin and it will help increase the number of visitors and create extra jobs and money for the economy. But it highlights what needs to be done for Cork. We need a similar approach.

"At the moment Cork Airport is heavily dependent on outward travel. We need to increase the number of visitors coming through Cork Airport and staying in the city and county. Having a dedicated campaign that sells a unique Cork tourism brand would be an important part of achieving this.

"Every time I raise this issue I am told of marketing initiatives that include Cork. But we need something more and something specific. There is work ongoing with local tourism businesses about developing a tourism strategy, but this must be prioritised and fast-tracked. I have asked the Minister to personally get involved in this process so that Cork, just like Dublin, can have a dedicated long-term campaign that will help attract overseas visitors."

(MH/CD)