New Director and New Flights for Great Lakes USA Region

With its recent return to the UK and Irish markets and four new flights going into the region, 2023 is an exciting year for Great Lakes USA (GLUSA). Two new flights for 2024 have just been announced; the consortium has appointed a new Tourism Director and the number of preferred partners belonging to the marketing consortium has increased to 19.

Aer Lingus will start a four-times-weekly flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul on April 29, 2024, with a daily year-round service planned from October. The service allows travellers to MSP preclearance in Dublin. Dublin Airport is one of only a few airports outside North America that offers a US preclearance facility. The benefit is that having cleared USCBP, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid immigration queues upon arrival and pick up their bags and go.

Delta is also launching a flight from MSP to Dublin next year. The US carrier will begin flying this new service on 9 May 2024 with services operating five times per week. Delta will offer this route as a seasonal summer route and travellers will also benefit from preclearance in Dublin.

Anna Tanski has been appointed Tourism Director of GLUSA, Anna has 32 years of progressive experience in the tourism and hospitality management industry. She was most recently with Visit Duluth, the official marketing organization of Duluth, Minnesota where she worked closely with Great Lakes USA to market Duluth to the UK and Irish markets.

David Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan and Chair of Great Lakes USA commented, “Like so many others in the region, I have worked with Anna for a number of years. Her unique skillset and knowledge of the industry will help our region continue to grow as a global tourism destination.”

The number of preferred partners, destinations within the region supporting the UK and Irish marketing efforts under the overall brand of GLUSA, has risen to its highest level since before the pandemic. The 19 partners are: Bloomington CVB, Discover Green Bay Wisconsin, Dupage Illinois, Destination Cleveland, Traverse City Tourism Michigan, Visit Buffalo Niagara, Mall of America Minnesota, Visit Detroit, Mackinac Island Tourism Michigan, Experience Grand Rapids Michigan, Holland Area CVB Michigan, Travel Marquette Michigan, Experience Columbus, Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Heritage Corridor Destinations Illinois, Keystone Crossroads Region –  Gettysburg, Hershey and Lancaster, PA, VisitErie, Visit Butler County Pennsylvania and Visit Pittsburgh.

Great Lakes USA will be holding its first Sales Mission since 2019 in October 2023. Representatives from the region will visit London and Ireland to hold meetings with trade and media partners.