Hopes are high that Aer Lingus’ new Cork-Bordeaux route, which began yesterday will significantly increase French visitor numbers to Ireland as well as increasing Irish holidaymakers’ accessibility to France.
The wider Bordeaux metropolitan area is home to 1.4 million people and this new route will offer “Bordelais” visitors an opportunity to fly directly to Ireland’s scenic south, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
According to Tourism Ireland, France is Ireland’s fourth-largest source market for inbound tourism and research showed that in 2023, 16% of French visitors to Ireland originated from south-west France.
Tourism Ireland research also notes that after Dublin, the south-west region of Ireland was the second most popular destination for French visitors, with 8-in-10 seeking to explore historical or cultural sites.
