INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2021

REGISTER FOR TWO UPCOMING DESTINATION TORONTO EVENTS

Destination Toronto is hosting two upcoming events with a focus on the future of the destination, the industry and the visitor economy. Register today for these two critical events happening this November.

DESTINATION TORONTO'S BUSINESS OUTLOOK FORUM

Join us in person or virtually for the Business Outlook Forum featuring the latest data and insights shaping recovery, key destination strategies and resources to help you plan for the year ahead. The Forum will help you align your strategies and make informed, strategic business decisions in the weeks and months ahead with new information on market readiness, global trends in travel and destination marketing.

Thursday, November 18, 2021
3 - 4:30 pm | Reception to follow for in person attendance
Hilton Toronto | Toronto Ballroom | 145 Richmond Street, West, Toronto
RSVP Deadline November 16, 2021

Note that proof of vaccination is required to attend in person. For those with a medical exemption, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website for information. Under protocols from the Ontario Government, face masks are required except when eating and drinking.

 VIRTUAL EDGE EVENT: TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES IN TRAVEL 

Join Destination Toronto and MMGY Next Factor to examine the latest results in the Global Futures Study published for Destinations International. Discover the emerging trends shaping the future of travel and how destinations align to maximize those opportunities. Explore key strategies that businesses and destinations can apply to remain relevant and to thrive.

Monday, November 8, 2021 
10 - 11:30 am

Moderated by Andrew Weir, EVP, Destination Development, Destination Toronto, featuring panelists Greg Oates, SVP Innovation and Shirin Jafari, Destination Development Manager, from MMGY NextFactor

DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHOOSES TORONTO FOR 2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION

Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus, today announced Toronto as the 2022 Annual Convention destination. This marks the first time Destinations International will host the convention in Toronto. The Annual Convention will be held in-person from July 19-21 2022, and brings together travel and tourism professionals from around the globe - showcasing Toronto to destination leaders.

NEVER HAVE I EVER, TO GIFTING JOY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

With the success of our Never Have I Ever, TO fall campaign (a combined 6.4MM video views and 1.8MM social media engagements), Destination Toronto is set to continue that success with our 2021 holiday campaign: The Never Have I Ever Holiday Joy List! Launching November 8th, the campaign leans into the idea that gifting joy and reconnecting with those you care about creates holiday magic and the Never Have I Ever Holiday Joy List campaign encourages our hyperlocal and drive market audiences to reconnect in Toronto this season. 

Campaign partners such as Cineplex, Trip Advisor, BT, BlogTO YouTube and Narcity will ensure our message of gifting joy this season will be seen and be impactful with our key audiences.  Click here for a sneak peak at our new holiday video and click below to access the NHIE Holiday Digital Toolkit

TRAVEL STAYCAYTION TAX CREDIT ANNOUNCED

Today, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, delivered the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review. Ontario is making numerous investments over the next several years in Ontario’s economic recovery and growth.

The government is proposing a new, temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit for the 2022 tax year. The fund for this credit has increased from originally $150M to $270M and will be for eligible accommodation expenses. This Personal Income Tax credit would provide Ontario residents with support of 20 per cent of eligible 2022 accommodation expenses of up to $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family, for a maximum credit of $200 or $400, respectively. Ontario residents could apply for this refundable credit when they file their 2022 tax return.

Read TIAO's summary of the tax credit and the full Economic Outlook below.

REMINDER: NOVEMBER 10 APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR ONTARIO TOURISM RECOVERY PROGRAM

The deadline for Ontario Tourism Recovery Program applications is Wednesday, November 10 at 11:59 p.m. Eligible businesses include hotels, inns, resorts, boat tours, ski hills, distilleries, hunting and fishing camps, airlines, motor coaches, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, amusement parks, museums, and Indigenous attractions. 

The program supports tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50% of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019. Eligible applicants will receive up to 20% of 2020-2021 qualifying revenue losses with a funding cap of $1 million. Program funding will go towards helping businesses reopen safely, develop innovative tourism products, and/or retain and create tourism jobs. 

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario outlines key details about the application on their website.

NEW FEDERAL MINISTRY; NEW PROVINCIAL DEPUTY MINISTER ANNOUNCED: Prime Minister Trudeau unveiled his new cabinet, including the news that tourism is now its own stand-alone ministry. Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault has been appointed Minister of Tourism, replacing Melanie Joly who served as the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie. Provincially, Sarah Harrison has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries. Congratulations to both the new Minister and Deputy Minister!

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW SUPPORT MEASURES FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY: Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Freeland announced the launch of targeted support measures for hard hit Canadian businesses and organizations, including a new Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and a new Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, running from October 24, 2021 to May 7, 2022. The support is intended to help hard-hit sectors through the winter period, prioritizing job creation and a strong recovery of the travel economy.

CITY OF TORONTO REVIEW OF ZONING & LICENSING FOR BARS & RESTAURANTS FEEDBACK DUE TODAY: The City of Toronto is requesting feedback for the upcoming review of the licensing and zoning regulations. The review is expected next year along with wide-ranging consultations. Later this month, the City  will present a preliminary "framework" report outlining the basics of the review and suggesting next steps. Public stakeholders, including venue operators and others in the music industry, can send in comments to inform this month's framework report by emailing mlsfeedback@toronto.ca before this Friday November 5.

MAKING CULTURAL SPACES SAFE DURING COVID-19 INITIATIVE EXPANDS TO NON-PROFITS: In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada committed $15 million in 2021-2022 to help support the reopening of the arts, culture, heritage and sport sectors. The Making Cultural Spaces Safe During COVID-19 Initiative is well positioned to help Canadian arts and heritage organizations prepare their spaces to reopen while following public health guidelines. The support is now available for non-profit organizations and can be used for renovating or adapting spaces, and for the purchase and installation of health and safety-related specialized equipment. 

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET RETURNS WITH NEW NAME: The Toronto Christmas Market is rebranding to The Distillery Winter Village. The new market places an emphasis on shopping and dining at more than 75 retailers and restaurants. Tickets are required for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 18 and go on sale on Nov. 1. The Distillery Winter Village is set to run from Nov. 18 through Dec. 31.

COME FROM AWAY IS BACK DEC 15: At long last, the smash hit Canadian musical Come From Away is set to return December 15. Tickets are on sale via Mirvish Nov 10.

‘LET’S GO TO THE EX’ IN 2022: After a two year absence, the CNE will return in 2022. Mark the dates: from August 19 to September 5, 2022, the annual CNE returns to the Exhibition grounds.

TIS THE SEASON FOR SKATING IN TORONTO: The City has announced that outdoor skating rinks will open on Nov. 27, weather permitting with some opening next month on Dec. 4. The general hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with the season ending on Mar. 20, 2022.

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