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SUSTAINABLE CORK PROGRAMME
Tourism, Hospitality, Leisure & Retail Tourism and hospitality is a significant employer in the South-West region, with 28,400 people employed in accommodation and food service activities alone, making up nearly 9% of the total workforce8. The South-West region attracts the highest numbers of overseas visitors after Dublin, with nearly 2.5m tourists travelling to Cork and Kerry generating €968m in revenue accounted for in 2017.8
The South West consistently ranks as a top tourism destination in Ireland. As the biggest county in Ireland, the historic walled towns and harbours of East Cork form a key part of Ireland’s Ancient East, with Cork also the starting point of the internationally renowned Wild Atlantic Way. The region’s tourism offering also makes an important contribution to enhancing the quality of life and attractiveness of the South-West as a place to live and work. Retail is one of Ireland’s largest employers, with a presence in every city, town and village in the country9. Despite pressure on the retail sector, Cork can claim that approx. 70% of retailers are independent or family businesses trading alongside big brands10.
