Cork signs up to enriching alliance with ‘world cruise capital’ Miami
CORK county has signed a sister agreement with Miami Dade, Florida, in a link-up that is expected to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two regions.
The agreement is the culmination of years of negotiations and cultural exchanges.
Mayor of County Cork Cllr Seamus McGrath highlighted the opportunities made available through this agreement. “The Cork County Miami Dade County Sister Agreement will offer enhanced commercial and cultural links between both our counties that I am sure will provide enormous dividends for both regions,” he said.
The first sister agreement with a US county, in San Francisco, led to the creation of the Cork Convention Bureau which has seen over €35m generated in business tourism.
“Much like family, this relationship will be strong and mutually beneficial,” said Miami Dade county mayor Carlos A Gimenez.
“Today, we celebrate the similarities between our two communities and pledge to work together in the spirit of mutual co-operation and friendship.”
Miami Dade’s location as an international business hub with a thriving port is considered an excellent opportunity to increase trade and tourism for Cork.
“Failte Ireland figures indicate that a quarter of US visitors to Ireland come from southern US states, of which Florida and Miami form part, while Port Miami is considered the cruise capital of the world,” said Tim Lucey, chief executive of Cork County Council.
“We have made significant progress in developing business relations within the cruise industry which are now delivered in a growing number of cruise liners visiting the west Cork coastline in 2017. I am confident that our sister agreement with Miami Dade will offer even greater advances,” he added.
The agreement comes after WOW airlines announced plans to fly transatlantic flights from Cork to Miami.
The commercial manager of Cork Port, Captain Michael McCarthy, has said that this deal will undoubtedly lead to more tourism in the region.
“This year we will welcome 68 cruise liners to Cork, bringing over 140,000 passengers to the region and we welcome Cork County Council’s willingness to work with us to further grow the cruise business.”