Why do towns twin?

Answer 1

Twinning has grown in popularity over the last decades. A town will adopt a twin town, normally in another nearby country in order to develop an exchange of cultural ideas and activities. Typically, schools in the twin towns can arrange for exchange visits, with benefits for language learning and culture. Sports often form a part of the twinning program with opportunities for low cost, international tournaments. Business benefits rather less than other groups in the towns although travel and accommodation industries may see additional business. Twinning can offer great opportunities to experience new cultures, languages and activities. Cynics have criticized town officials, suggesting that the twinning program is little more than an excuse for paid travel for a selected few within the local governments. While that may well be true in a few instances, most will agree that the cultural experiences can be very worthwhile.