Naperville, meet Cancun, your newest Sister City

Naperville and its newest Sister City already are on a first-name basis, and that name is Cancun.

Naperville shares established Sister City relationships with Nitra, Slovakia, and Pátzcuaro, México, but these cities are not as well-known as Cancun, the Mexican vacation spot that is set to join Naperville's list of Sister Cities after a unanimous city council vote Tuesday night.

Cancun is a city many Naperville residents already know from spring breaks past, but Sister Cities Commission members said it also can offer beneficial exchanges in the culinary, educational and charitable realms.

The partnership will allow the two cities to foster bonds between their residents, governments, schools and businesses, said city council member Patty Gustin, who is a liaison to the Sister Cities Commission.

Commissioner Alan Lowe said the mayor of Cancun reached out to the Naperville group to ask for the formalization of a friendly relationship the two cities have enjoyed for the past six years. Naperville in 2014 donated a retired fire truck to Cancun, and in 2018, gave a retired ambulance.

Sister Cities has its roots in a "People-to-People Program" that began in 1956 under President Dwight Eisenhower to help increase friendship and understanding between Americans and residents of other nations. Naperville joined the program in 1977.

Sister Cities Commissioner Sophia Luo, who grew up in China, said she loves cultural exploration, which along with a strong economy, helps a city prosper.

"There is no question Naperville has very strong commerce and a high-quality lifestyle," Luo said. "When it comes to the international culture aspect, we have lots of room to grow."

The Sister Cities Commission is developing plans for a potential Cinco de Mayo festival in 2021, Lowe said, which could feature a proclamation honoring contributions made by Naperville residents of Hispanic or Latino roots.

Sister Cities Commissioner Shafeek Abubaker said in a phone interview he hopes the partnership with Cancun can be an active relationship, especially with Cancun's status as a vacation destination.

"We hope this will encourage more diversity in our city," Abubaker said.