Report Jan 19, 2020

Sarasota Sister Cities is engaged in a variety of Sustainable Economic Development efforts to improve Sarasota and our Sister Cities. One of those efforts is to try to improve trade and tourism transportation links between Sarasota and our Sister City of Merida, Mexico.

Over the past 45 days we have met with Merida officials and Economic Development professionals from Sarasota. We are working on improving economic development for our two cities by improving air and sea service, and examining the possible development of a tour to the Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula. Our thought is that we may be able to develop a tour aimed at the Sister Cities of Yucatan and the world.

Mike Fehily, City Director of Merida, and Phillip Gordon, City Director of Busseto and retired CEO of the North American Division of Globus have contributed substantially to our efforts. And Steve Stancel and Susan Dodd of the Sarasota Redevelopment Office have been working with us.

We are also looking into getting better cruise ship service to Merida. Cruises visit Merida from Miami and Galveston, but not Miami. But the ships only stop for one day in Merida. We will investigate to see if the companies would let passengers visit Merida on one cruise, get off and spend some time in Yucatan, and then come back to the US on the next ship.

More info at:  sarasotameridaeconomicdevelopment.blogspot.com 

Economic Development Information:  Sarasotasistercities.com

Reports:  economicdevelopmentreports.blogspot.com

Background

Merida is on the Yucatan Peninsula with the amazing Mayan pyramids and temples, the sun vacations cities of Cancun and Cozumel, and the colonial architecture and charm of Merida. It is a charming lovely safe country just across the Gulf of Mexico.




Despite its proximity, however, it is not easy to get to from Sarasota. You can fly from SRQ to Merida but it is a long trip with intervening stops. You can also drive to Miami and then fly to Merida, or fly to Cozumel from Tampa and drive five hours to Merida. Further on in this blog are maps of connecting flights.

It would improve tourism and economic development for both regions if we had better air and sea service. Our committee will research possibilities of improvements.

As the map illustrates Yucatan has a wealth of interesting places to visit. The pyramids and temples of the Maya, the sun resorts of Cancun and Cozumel, and the colonial architecture and charm of Merida are fascinating.