2025 in Review:
A Year of Growth, Connection, and New Beginnings
As we look back on 2025, we’re proud to reflect on a year defined by meaningful connections, shared experiences, and exciting momentum for tourism in Cayuga County. From deepening community relationships to welcoming new leadership, this year marked an important chapter in our ongoing story.
Celebrating 30 Years of Tour Cayuga
In 2025, Tour Cayuga proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of dedicated service promoting the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of Cayuga County. Established in 1995 as the county’s official tourism promotion agency, Tour Cayuga has played a vital role in enhancing visitor experiences and supporting economic growth through strategic marketing and strong partnerships with cultural heritage sites and hospitality providers. Read more here.
Community at the Heart of It All
Community remained central to our work throughout the year. In 2025, we hosted Tourism Community Days, along with the Where Tourism Meets Community Event and our Annual Meeting. Each event was designed to bring people together and strengthen collaboration across the county.
-Our Tourism Community Days created opportunities to connect directly with residents, partners, and business owners across Cayuga County. These events celebrated local pride bringing people together to share ideas, highlight resources, and strengthen the relationships that help our tourism economy thrive. In 2025 we held events in the Lake Villages of Union Springs, Cayuga and Aurora, and in Fair Haven.
–Where Tourism Meets Community was held on May 7 at the Emerson Park Pavilion. The event highlighted the strength of Cayuga County’s tourism industry, showcased collaboration among regional tourism professionals, and promoted alignment across key county agencies. It also served as a celebration of our tourism partners, encouraging greater engagement with the Tourism Office and reinforcing the value of working together to advance the visitor economy.
-Our Annual Meeting, held this year at the Samuel Center, provided an opportunity to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that made extraordinary contributions to promoting tourism in Cayuga County. In 2025, we recognized six local businesses and organizations with its Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Award. Click here to read more.
Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebrations
The Erie Canal Bicentennial was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the canal that shaped America’s history. To commemorate this historic occasion, the Cayuga County Office of Tourism created a dedicated Erie Canal Bicentennial section on TourCayuga.com. This hub includes an array of resources and interactive opportunities, such as:
- Canal History Blog Series – Delving into the canal’s profound impact on Cayuga County and beyond.
- Bicentennial Photo Gallery – A visual journey through the canal’s past and present.
- Bicentennial Canal Photo Contest – An invitation for photographers of all skill levels to capture the beauty of the canal and submit their best shots.
- Downloadable Canal Bicentennial Explorer’s Guide – A comprehensive guide to key sites, attractions, and experiences along the canal in Cayuga County.
- Exclusive Erie Canal Bicentennial Poster – A beautifully designed poster by David Owens Illustration, celebrating the historic waterway.
Sharing Our Story Near and Far
Throughout the year, we hosted more than a dozen media trips and familiarization visits, welcoming travel writers and content creators from across the country to experience the county firsthand. The goal of these visits is to generate authentic, third-party storytelling that elevates Cayuga County’s signature strengths, from equal rights history and cultural attractions to outdoor experiences, culinary standouts, and lakeside hospitality. Below are three standout highlights from the past year.
Evita Robinson: founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe and a two-time Emmy Award-winning storyteller
In late January 2025, Evita Robinson, visited to capture a series of community-driven conversations. Over several days, she met with local voices from across the county and conducted interviews that centered on lived experience, culture, and the stories that define our communities. The resulting video interviews were produced with award-level quality and submitted for Emmy consideration. We were honored to host her and grateful for the care she brought to representing Cayuga County through the people who know it best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKi9YOa_59s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaKMV3cyBgc
In July we hosted seven content creators and travel writers from The Black Travel Alliance for a Creators Weekend designed to spark fresh storytelling across blogs, social media, and print. The itinerary balanced Cayuga County’s equal rights legacy with hands-on summer experiences. Participants experienced the county’s outdoor and water assets firsthand through Fillmore Glen’s waterfalls and gorge trails, Sterling Nature Center on Lake Ontario, a Cayuga Lake cruise with Bianconi Boat Tours, and water biking in Fair Haven.
Here is just one of the blogs created: https://themunchtravelogue.com/2025/08/cayuga-county-ny/
Following the visit, Kwasi published several short-form videos and delivered additional video assets directly to the Tourism Office for future marketing campaigns.
Kwasi Hope: content creator and historian
Content creator and historian Kwasi Hope visited in August for a “History’s Hometown” museum tour designed to spotlight Auburn’s legacy of reform, innovation, and civic leadership. Over three packed days, he traced Harriet Tubman’s story through the Harriet Tubman Home, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, the Equal Rights Heritage Center, and a quiet moment of reflection at Fort Hill Cemetery. The itinerary then widened to include Auburn’s broader historic reach, including the Seward House Museum, Old Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron, and the Theodore Case sites at the Cayuga Museum campus that helped shape the future of cinema. Signature cultural stops like Willard Memorial Chapel and the Howland family landmarks at Opendore and the Howland Stone Store added deeper context to Cayuga County’s role in abolition and suffrage history.
Team Transitions and New Leadership
2025 was also a year of change for our team. We said a heartfelt farewell to Claire Dunlap, Group Sales and Marketing, who accepted a new position closer to home, and Karen Kuhl, Executive Director, who began a new chapter traveling the country with her husband in their converted van. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, passion, and service, which left a lasting impact on our organization and community. Their contributions helped shape Tour Cayuga into what it is today, and we wish them all the best in what comes next.
At the same time, we were excited to welcome new leadership and talent. In October, Hilary Fenner joined the team as Group Sales and Marketing Director, reinforcing our commitment to meetings and group travel. This role strengthens our ability to attract group business, support partners, and position Cayuga County as a welcoming, well-equipped destination for gatherings of all kinds.
In September, we welcomed Courtney Kasper as the new Executive Director of Tour Cayuga. Her vision and leadership will help guide the organization into its next chapter as we continue to grow and evolve.
Looking Ahead
As we turn the page to the future, we do so with gratitude for our partners, our community, and the people who believe in Cayuga County. Together, we’re building a strong foundation for what’s next, and we look forward to continuing to welcome visitors, support local businesses, and share all that makes this place so special.