Photo: Gerard McCarthy Photography
Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with partner Tourism Ireland, this weekend welcomed a group of Spanish media, who have landed at Cork Airport with Iberia Express airlines from Madrid to explore Cork and Kerry as part of a promotion of the region as a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Over the next five days these highly influential journalists, with a combined audience of over 72 million, will have the opportunity to see first-hand what is on offer nearby for the traveller who arrives at Cork Airport. The visiting media write for national Spanish newspaper el Pais, a number of travel magazines and online media such as ElEspanol.com and Cinco Dias to mention a few.
This popular route from Madrid, which launched in 2016, has grown each year and will this Summer operate twice weekly up to mid-September in and out of Cork Airport. Alex Connolly, Head of Corporate Communications & International Publicity with Fáilte Ireland welcomed the group to Cork and Kerry, said: “It is our hope that this press trip will provide these highly influential journalists with the information required for their viewers and readers, of the strong choices that are on offer in the region once they get here. The twice weekly Summer route into Cork Airport provides Spanish visitors with an opportunity to experience the strong choices nearby, including the stunning natural beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Fáilte Ireland put together a bespoke itinerary for the group, which include highlights of Cork where they visit the English Market, go on a walking tour of Cork City and the unique Victorian Quarter, take part in a whale watching tour in Baltimore, meet with Fiona Field and Helen Collins of A Taste of West Cork Festival and visit Garnish Island for a guided walk of the gardens. The group then head to Kerry for lunch before departing for Sneem to learn how to make an Irish coffee at O’Shea’s Bar, it’s then on to Portmagee to see where the latest Star Wars film was shot at Skellig Michael and the Visitor Experience Centre, finishing up in Killarney and a tour of the Ring of Kerry.
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport commented: “Cork Airport is delighted to welcome even more Spanish visitors to the South of Ireland this year. The popularity of the Iberia Express Madrid to Cork route last year exceeded expectations and we welcome the increase this Summer in flights and frequencies with Iberia Express for the busy Summer season now well underway.”
