Cork could target more 'climate tourists' due to milder weather

As temperatures across Europe have regularly surpassed 40 degrees this summer, Ireland looks set to benefit from our milder climate, in the short-term at least.

All indications point to Cork city and county seeing an increase in tourism numbers from across the continent and further afield, flocking to the south west coast to avoid the ultra high temperatures elsewhere.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show a significant incresae in visitors this year. A total of 661,500 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in May, which is an increase of 18% when compared with May of last year.

The CSO data shows that for the May 2026 figure, 46% of overnight foreign visitors indicated that the main purpose of their trip was for holidays, leisure and recreation, 31% said it was for visiting friends and relatives, with 12% of trips for business reasons.

Visitors from Great Britain accounted for the largest share, at 36%, compared with continental Europe (33%), North America (26%), and the Rest of the World (4%).

Cork-based Michael Magner, who recently served as the president of the Irish Hotels Federation, said that the hotel sector here is noticing the recent trends of more tourists in visiting locations such as Cork this year, along with more Irish people deciding to holiday domestically.

“There is some evidence to suggest there that tourists are steering clear of the sweltering heat destinations during the months particularly of July and August," he told The Echo.

“They are looking at these destinations at more of a shoulder season option now, the months nearer to May and September.

“We are also seeing some evidence to suggest that nationalities from those countries that have had significant weather events during the summer and heat waves, such as Spain and other countries, are choosing to holiday in Ireland precisely for those reasons as well.” Mr Magner feels that the Cork and Ireland overall has the potential to grow and to become an even bigger tourism leading destination, especially as the knock-on impacts of climate change globally are felt.

“I think there is a real opportunity for Ireland to move forward in a manner that respects the fact that there is climate change. But do it in a way that is green.

“I think all parties can come together to strategise about how tourism can grow, and how we can do it in a way that is more cognisant of the challenges that are out there.

“We can target those markets that want to holiday in a country that takes its climate responsibility seriously,” he added.

Located on a lakeside next to the mountains of West Cork is the picturesque Gougane Barra Hotel.

Hotel manager Neil Lucey also sees the opportunity of growing Cork as a tourist destination across Europe, due to the changing climate conditions.

“I firmly believe we have a chance now to do that – a chance to get a marketing campaign going in Europe and express our greenness, our calmness and our coolness. We should do well on that in the future."

Mr Lucey added: “There is definitely an increase in European traffic. I can see it and hear it here in the mornings in the restaurant. You can hear the Austrians and the Swiss, the Germans, France, a bit of Spain and a bit of Italy."

Seamus Heaney of Visit Cork also echoes the sentiments in relation to the impact of climate change on tourism in Ireland.

“There are opportunities around it to grow. If I could use one example – our offices are based up in Elizabeth Fort. I met Italian students in their early 20s and I asked them how did they end up coming to Cork. This was in advance of AI becoming a massive tool. They were just going through Google. They ended up coming to Cork because their input was, 'where can I go that is not as hot as Italy, and that is not a capital city?' Cork came up in the top search for that. So, they came here by accident as opposed to by choice. When they were here, they were pleasantly surprised by what they got in Cork.” 

Mr Heaney feels such climate tourism will only grow in the years ahead.

“I think especially Europeans will find their own countries far too hot. If you were a European escaping from 40 degree heat and you came to Cork at the moment, you have 20-odd degrees. It is definitely far more tolerable.

“By Europe being so hot and with the wildfires, I think that people in those countries will try to escape it – and even more if they are from those areas.”