Equador`s capital Quito named as culture capital

Quito has been named as the `Latin American Capital of Culture 2011`.

Quito: Equador`s capital city Quito has been recognised by Unesco as the "Latin American Capital of Culture 2011" - a title that is expected to see an increase in tourist flow this year.

"This is a bright opportunity for Quito to be known not only because of its history, but also because of its cultural development," City Vice Mayor Jorge Alban was quoted as saying by Prensa Latina. "That`s why there is great expectation," he said. Besides its people, two more things make Quito one of the most special cities in the world - having the largest, best preserved historical centre in Latin America and being the epicentre of the first cry for independence in the continent in 1809. Those qualities captivated Unesco`s International Bureau of Cultural Capitals, which granted the recognition to Quito, 32 years after being declared a World Cultural Heritage site, Alban said. All through 2011, Quito will be on TV commercials to be broadcast across Europe, Latin America and Asia in a bid to attract more and more tourists. IANS