Get to Know Cayuga County's Women in Tourism
This is the month we celebrate Women's History, that has deep roots in the Finger Lakes. The Cayuga County Office of Tourism is comprised of inspiring women; Executive Director, Karen Kuhl, Marketing Manager Claire Dunlap and Special Projects Coordinator Gillian Sears. Here are a few reasons they love travel.
Executive Director - Karen Kuhl
Q: Where do you most want to travel to?
A: A tea farm in India. I love to learn the history and background behind my favorite foods and drinks.
Q: What is your favorite place you have visited?
A: I've got 2! Fair Haven Beach State Park. It holds many special memories of family gatherings, and my children growing up in a healthy beautiful place. And Seward Alaska, kayaking to the base of a glacier and feeling small and insignificant while puffins and jellyfish float next to me. I mean, does it get better than that?!
Q: What do you love about travel?
A: Tourism includes the act of getting out of your comfort zone and venturing someplace new. This is the place when we grow, letting ourselves be vulnerable, and learning from the people and places around us is an amazingly rewarding feeling and one I treasure.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: Being flexible and living the moment. Not something I have always been good at, but it is something I'm now very proud of. Being able to take a step back, assess the situation, and boldly picking a new path to follow. This has come in very handy recently both at home and in our industry.
Special Projects Coordinator - Gillian Sears
Q. Where do you most want to travel to?
A: I'm keeping it local and have 2! In Cayuga County- Historic Howland Farm and in the Finger Lakes: Letchworth State Park! I love the outdoors and discovering new places my own backyard!
Q: What is your favorite place you have visited?
A: It's hard to narrow down, how about a theme? - Auburn’s Historic and Cultural Sites
Q: What do you love about travel?
A: I am a people person and love sharing fun attractions with visitors to help them have the best experience and see why the locals love it here so much!
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My ability to help visitors plan an inspiring and relaxing vacation. I love travel and I'm good at helping others enjoy it too.
Marketing Manager - Claire Dunlap 
Q; Where do you most want to travel to?
A: Banff and Lake Moraine.
Q: What is your most favorite place you have visited?
A: I've always loved travel, it became a passion while studying abroad in Siena, Italy. My host mom is someone who I think of often and helped shape my excitement for new experience and new people.
Q: What do you love about travel?
A: In a word, everything! Meeting new people, trying new food and learning new cultures.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: Before moving to Cayuga County I worked with a battalion on Fort Drum helping bring together the military, their families and civilian communities. Helping market events and nearby towns to bring the two together. I enjoyed helping new families feel welcomed and help them enjoy their new home. In 2019 I was honored to become an honorary member of the battalion for my efforts. It is a reminder of the power of travel, bringing people together.
