Waterford has been named Regional Destination of the Year
Pictured at the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2026 at the InterContinental Dublin are Paul and Marie Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant and Maria Kyte of Visit Waterford, who accepted the Regional Destination of the Year award on behalf of Waterford.
Waterford has been named Regional Destination of the Year 2026 at the prestigious Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards.
The award was given in recognition of the city and county’s outstanding food, drink, hospitality and tourism offering and the growing collaboration behind its promotion as a visitor destination.
Visit Waterford’s Maria Kyte said they were thrilled with the award.
This award is a wonderful acknowledgement of the people, businesses and organisations across the city and county who work so hard to create exceptional experiences for visitors.
“It is also a real testament to what can be achieved when we work together. The collaboration between Visit Waterford and Taste Waterford has brought a renewed focus to Waterford’s food, drink, hospitality and tourism offering, and this award recognises the strength of that collective effort.
“Waterford has an extraordinary story to tell, from its rich history and heritage to its coastline, landscapes, food, drink, culture and the warmth of its people. We are delighted to see that story gaining such strong recognition on the national stage,” said Ms Kyte.
Visit Waterford’s award was one of five to come to th Déise.
Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery in Dungarvan were honoured with the Hospitality Hero Award, while The Hat Maker in Dungarvan was named Boutique Hotel of the Year.
Everett’s in Waterford city was crowned Bijou Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, while The Strand Inn in Dunmore East took the Restaurant Bar of the Year title.
Speaking at the awards in Dublin’s InterContinental Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, food and hospitality writer Georgina Campbell warned of a loss of “good hospitality” in Ireland as businesses increasingly lean on technology.
“In many places we visited, we could see how warm human interaction is being replaced by cold digital transactions. The very qualities that once defined good hospitality, such as knowing a guest’s name, offering a cup of tea, or simply taking the time to have a good conversation, are becoming less common,” said Campbell. Her latest awards celebrate the human touch, she added.
At the awards, Georgina highlighted the strength of Ireland’s mid-market food offering, which she described as “grown-up” everyday food.
Businesses from independent bakery-cafes to pubs, neighbourhood restaurants and more ambitious hotel restaurants are becoming “hospitality jewels”, according to Campbell.
The Georgina Campbell Awards are among Ireland’s best-known food and hospitality awards.
The 2026 ceremony brought together leading figures from across the country’s food, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Regional Destination of the Year award adds to a growing list of national and international recognition for Waterford as a visitor destination.
Earlier this year, Waterford was again highlighted by Condé Nast Traveller, which named the city and county among Ireland’s 7 Wonders for 2026 - a second consecutive year shortlist.
