Cork Tourism Firing on All Fronts as Lufthansa Route Returns and County Named Among Ireland’s Top Staycation Picks

Cork's tourism appeal is being recognised on two fronts this week, with the Rebel County named among Ireland's most popular staycation destinations in new research, just as Tourism Ireland showcased Cork to the German market at a major Frankfurt Airport event to mark the return of Lufthansa's direct Frankfurt – Cork service.

New research commissioned by Enterprise Mobility and conducted by Coyne Research among 1,000 adults in Ireland in May 2026 found that over half of Irish holidaymakers (56%) are planning a domestic trip this year. Cork came fourth among the country's most popular staycation counties, chosen by 9% of respondents, behind Kerry (17%), Galway (13%) and Dublin (12%), with Donegal also polling 9%. At a regional level, Munster was named the most popular staycation region by more than a third (37%) of respondents, ahead of Leinster (27%), Connacht (22%) and Ulster (14%).

The findings underscore what Tourism Ireland was promoting in Frankfurt on Thursday evening, where a special industry and media event at Frankfurt Airport marked the resumption of Lufthansa's twice-weekly Frankfurt – Cork service, which resumed earlier this month following its suspension after the closure of Lufthansa subsidiary Lufthansa Cityline in April 2026. The event, delivered in partnership with Cork Airport, Visit Cork and Lufthansa, welcomed 50 leading German tour operators, travel agents and media representatives.

Germany is Ireland's third-largest source market for inbound tourism. In 2025, Ireland welcomed 433,000 visitors from Germany, and Tourism Ireland research shows that the South-West (Cork, Kerry) is the most popular region for German holidaymakers after Dublin. The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region alone is home to over 5.8 million people.

The Cork delegation at the Frankfurt event was led by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, alongside representatives from Visit Cork, Cork Airport and Cork-based hoteliers and tourism experience providers.

Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, said:

"Lufthansa's Frankfurt – Cork service is a significant driver of inbound tourism to Ireland, along with being a vital route for trade and commerce. Working together with Lufthansa, Tourism Ireland and Visit Cork, the joint promotional efforts will ensure that Cork, as a destination, is promoted well in the wider Frankfurt region. This initiative is key to kickstarting the restored Lufthansa mainline service."

Minister Buttimer added:

"Supporting Cork's growth is a priority for this Government, and strong international connectivity is central to that ambition. The return of Lufthansa's Frankfurt service is a major vote of confidence in Cork and will deliver lasting benefits for tourism, business and our wider regional economy. I want to acknowledge the commitment of Cork Airport, Lufthansa, Tourism Ireland, Visit Cork and all of the industry partners whose collaboration has made this possible."

Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said:

"Germany is Ireland's third-largest source market for inbound visitors, and it is a market of incredible importance to Cork and the South of Ireland. The South-West of Ireland is the most popular region for German tourists, after Dublin. This collaboration between Tourism Ireland, Cork Airport and Visit Cork is to ensure that Cork remains as a destination of choice for German holiday makers. I'd like to thank Tourism Ireland, Lufthansa and Cork Airport for collaborating on this fantastic promotional opportunity."

Back on the domestic front, the Enterprise Mobility research highlights that access to a car remains central to how Irish people enjoy their staycations. Some 42% of respondents said the main benefit of having a vehicle on holiday is the freedom to travel at their own pace, while 26% said it makes it easier to explore nearby towns and villages, and 19% said it helps them reach more rural, coastal or beach locations.

Brendan Grieve, Vice President and General Manager for Enterprise Mobility, Ireland, said:

"The research shows that the Irish staycation is very much part of people's summer plans. What stands out is the desire for flexibility. People want to explore at their own pace, often visit more than one place and make the most of the destinations on their doorstep.

From Kerry and Galway to Dublin, Cork and Donegal, the top staycation counties all offer very different types of breaks. Whether it's a coastal road trip, a city stay, a family visit or a few days exploring towns and villages, having access to the right vehicle gives people the freedom to shape the trip around them and enjoy a more comfortable, flexible trip."