Philadelphia Celebrates World Heritage City Status
by Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia celebrated its status as the only World Heritage City in the U.S. with a special ceremony last week.
The event drew both advocates who helped the city win the World Heritage City designation and international residents and well-wishers, including the Mexican consul to Philadelphia, Carlos Giralt-Cabrales.
"Philadelphia is already an international city and I have no doubt that in the future it will achieve even greater recognition around the world," said Giralt-Cabrales
Advocates say it could mean millions in global tourism and business investment.
There are 266 such cities around the world that have seen the benefits, and Siobhan Lyons of Citizens Diplomacy International says they create a new network for promoting the city.
"I look forward to working with you all to make sure that the rest of the world, and especially those 266 cities, learns just how amazing Philadelphia is," said Lyons.
One key to getting the designation is being home to a United Nations World Heritage site-- Independence Hall-- but Emanuel Portillo of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians says he hopes to encourage a more expansive view.
"So many Philadelphia visitors miss out on our cultural and historical treasures by not making it outside the city core," said Portillo.
There are 11,000 designated historic sights and 15 local historic districts in the city, that he hopes to put on the world map.
The new status should help.
The effort to achieve the status was largely done by the previous administration, for which Mayor Jim Kenney says he's grateful.
"I'm honored to accept this designation, and we will utilize it absolutely to the best ability to continue to put Philadelphia forward as one of the greatest cities in the world," he said.
Kenney declared that every fourth Thursday in May would be World Heritage Day in the city.
