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See you in Harriet Tubman's Hometown for Travel Unity! Letter from Karen Kuhl

Oct 17, 2022

Dear Tourism Partner,

Cayuga County in the Finger Lakes is hosting the 2022 Travel Unity Northeast Summit “Leading Inclusive Growth in Tourism". We have gathered travel and tourism voices from the Northeast to share their passion, projects, mishaps, and successes with us. There will be panel discussions, keynote speakers and workshops. This is not solely about hearing about others' journeys but also about helping all of us take steps forward. Whether you've been incorporating DEI principles into your organization for years or this is a journey you're just now contemplating, there is important content for you. I invite you to Join us to be part of this important conversation.

See schedule here.

Cayuga County has invested time, energy, resources, and an immense amount of intentional commitment to understanding and incorporating inclusive principles into our organization. Part of this journey lead us to working and partnering with Travel Unity. For those of you who haven't heard of Travel Unity, they are a non-profit organization focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment.

A study conducted by Wakefield Research shows that 7 in 10 consumers would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that is more inclusive to all types of travelers, even if it's more expensive. Ensuring your destination is inclusive is not only the right thing to do, but it is also the right economic decision for your destination and business.

It's not only important for us to integrate inclusive principles into our organization but also to train, assist and empower our partners to do so as well. Our road has been long, but our journey to inclusive travel has only just begun. Hosting the Travel Unity Northeast Summit in Harriet Tubman's Chosen Hometown to end her bicentennial birthday year is not only symbolic, but part of a promise to continue this path.

In addition to the amazing content, the Finger Lakes region will be welcoming you to a fantastic dinner at Prison City Brewing where we will pair the best of gastronomy with the best of brews! I hope you will join me at the Travel Unity Summit Northeast. Sign up today!

Karen Kuhl
Executive Director
Cayuga County Tourism Office