Resolution: Support for Re-energizing the Great Lakes Circle Tour
Adopted on September 29, 2005

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Whereas, the 6,500-mile Great Lakes Circle Tour was established in 1989 by the Great Lakes Commission and the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces as a regional, cooperative effort to promote designation of a binational Great Lakes road system, encouraging travel and tourism along the most scenic coastal areas of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; and

Whereas, the primary marketing tool, the Great Lakes Circle Tour website, still receives hundreds of inquiries a year indicating continued, widespread interest in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region as a tourism destination; and

Whereas, one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry is "geotourism," defined by National Geographic as "tourism that supports the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, and the well-being of its citizens"; and

Whereas, there is a new generation of web-based, interactive technologies and geographical information system functions that offer new opportunities to promote and enhance the Great Lakes Circle Tour experience; and

Whereas, several Great Lakes/St. Lawrence states and provinces are already actively developing and marketing geotourism products, such as Ohio's Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail Scenic Byway, Michigan's Maritime Heritage Destination, and New York and Pennsylvania's Seaway Trail;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces re-commit to promotion and enhancement of the Great Lakes Circle Tour through establishment of a new task force with representation from each jurisdiction and other interested entities; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the concept of geotourism be integrated into the Great Lakes Circle Tour to 1) involve local communities in providing authentic, distinctive visitor experiences, 2) promote stewardship by informing visitors and local residents about the Great Lakes ecosystem, culture and heritage, 3) support a "sense of place," and 4) generate economic benefits for the states, provinces and local communities of the region.

Be It Finally Resolved, that new marketing tools be explored for the Great Lakes Circle Tour, such as an interactive, multimedia online experience featuring a "virtual" Circle Tour that can be customized by users, with features such as images and descriptions of natural and cultural attractions and suggested seasonal mini-tours.

Adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its Annual Meeting, Sept. 29, 2005, in Ann Arbor, Mich.