Tipperary has earned a place among the top 25 destinations in the world to visit in 2026, according to Lonely Planet’s newly released “Best in Travel” guide — a distinction expected to spark a major tourism surge for the Premier County.
Inclusion in the travel authority’s annual “must visit” list has long been associated with a 20% to 50% increase in visitor numbers, and tourism officials believe this recognition will finally help Tipperary claim its spot among Ireland’s most visited regions.
Despite being home to iconic landmarks like the Rock of Cashel, Lough Derg, and Cahir Castle, the inland county has traditionally trailed behind tourism heavyweights such as Dublin, Kerry, Cork, Galway and the Waterford-Wexford region. Though Tipperary ranks 11th nationally for visitor volume, it holds the third-highest ranking among inland counties, and local businesses are optimistic that the Lonely Planet spotlight will transform that position.
Adriaan Bartels, manager of the Cashel Palace Hotel, told The Irish Independent the honour recognises years of collective work by local businesses, communities and tourism advocates. “We are absolutely thrilled by Lonely Planet’s recognition of Tipperary as one of the world’s top 25 must-visit destinations for 2026,” he said. “This honour reflects the county’s extraordinary landscape, vibrant food culture and genuine sense of community that visitors consistently fall in love with.”
Bartels added that the Cashel Palace Hotel, located beneath the Rock of Cashel, has aimed to showcase the county’s heritage and craftsmanship. The hotel even offers a dedicated equine concierge, arranging visits to some of Tipperary’s world-renowned bloodstock operations — a nod to the county’s proud place at the heart of Ireland’s horse industry.
Local representatives have also hailed the announcement as a transformative opportunity. Tipperary TD and former Clonmel mayor Michael Murphy said the recognition was “fantastic news for our county and for everyone working in tourism, hospitality and local enterprise.” He continued: “Being named among Lonely Planet’s top destinations puts Tipperary firmly on the global map. It’s a huge opportunity for local tourism operators, hotels, food producers and visitor attractions.”
Marie O’Brien, who manages the Cashel Woollen Stores, said she hopes the accolade will finally lift Tipperary’s profile internationally. “This place is absolutely fantastic – people who visit Tipperary love it and keep coming back for the attractions and the quality of the hospitality,” she said. “Anything which promotes Cashel and the county has to be good news, and hopefully we’ll see a boost in visitor numbers next season.”
Tourism is already a cornerstone of the Tipperary economy, with Fáilte Ireland estimating the sector is worth over €100 million annually, directly supporting around 3,000 jobs. In 2023, domestic visitors made 326,000 trips, staying 606,000 nights and spending €54.2 million, while overseas visitors numbered 194,000, spending an additional €52 million.
Top attractions like the Rock of Cashel currently welcome around 600,000 visitors a year, but local tourism providers believe that figure could rise sharply once Lonely Planet’s 2026 list begins circulating worldwide.
Coach driver John Ryan, who regularly tours international groups across the county, summed up the local sentiment: “What the county needs now is for people to make Tipperary the heart of their holiday and stay for a couple of days.”
