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CORK is set to see visitor numbers soar next year when it becomes European Capital of Culture 2005.

A new European Union report predicts a 12 per cent increase in tourists during its 12 months as the cultural hub of the continent.

But the report also warns that detailed analysis of previous European Cities of Culture casts doubt on whether Cork can derive any long-term benefit from staging the multi-million pound event.

The report says: “In many cities the potential for long-term development has not been realised.”

Experts looked at the experience of 21 cities which have held the title over the past decade and concluded many failed to meet the objectives they had set for themselves.

But they said holding the title had had significant impact on visitor numbers and tourism expenditure for at least one year after the event — although most cities experienced a decline in such figures in subsequent years.

Organisers of Cork’s European Capital of Culture 2005 programme believe its range of events will bring tourists into the region from across Europe. And they say the event should give a significant boost to the valuable tourist industry, with hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, restaurants and visitor attractions all expecting a major upturn in trade during the year.

The official programme for Cork 2005 is launched on October 7 and is understood to include some 150 projects at a cost of EUR 13million.

A Cork 2005 spokesman said: “We have already achieved one of our main objectives, which is to provide a programme of events that will reflect what the people of Cork want from their Capital of Culture.”