Cruise Ontario establishes The Great Lakes Cruise Association

While regional marketing is now being handled by separate entities, one in Canada and one in the US, Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Canadian group, stressed: 'Although our membership is Canadian, we are totally committed to selling the entire Great Lakes and lending the depth of our expertise, which sits on both sides of the border. Our enthusiasm for US ports like Cleveland, Green Bay and Muskegon is undiminished and we'll be happy to support their efforts.'

Membership of this Great Lakes cruise advocacy organization is currently comprised of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River cruise ports, along with their contiguous tourism regions in Ontario and Québec. The group also has private sector members, from marine agents and shore excursion providers to national marine associations.

Chair David MacLachlan

The Great Lakes Cruise Association is chaired by David MacLachlan, chair of Destination Northern Ontario, who noted the port members represent a broad range of cruise experiences that include wilderness communities — some of them totally uninhabited — as well as urban locations with vibrant marquee attractions.

Members include Goderich, Killarney Mountain Lodge and Conference Center, Midland, Montréal Port Authority, Parry Sound, Picton Terminals, Port Colborne; Red Rock, Ontario; Regional Tourism Organization # 9, Regional Tourism Organisation # 12 - Explorers Edge, Regional Tourism Organization # 13 - Destination Northern Ontario, Sault Ste Marie; Terrace Bay, Ontario; Thunder Bay, Tourism Kingston, Toronto Port Authority, Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands and Windsor Essex County Pelee Island Tourism.

Further members are FK Warren/MacLean Kennedy, Navitrans Shipping Agencies, Ramsey Grieg/Logistec, Chamber of Maritime Commerce, Council of Great Lakes Regions and Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

A website is under construction at greatlakescruiseassociation.com and expected to be ready in the coming weeks.