WRLDCITY FESTIVAL GETS UNDERWAY – TORONTO PROGRAM FEATURED TODAY

WRLDCTY is the world’s first and largest virtual event dedicated to cities, their citizens, culture and experiences, featuring more than 100 speakers and 70 sessions led by leading urban visionaries, mayors, artists and other enlightened citizens. Our city joins five other host cities - New York City, Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

A first-of-its-kind event, WRLDCTY features content produced by each destination. Toronto’s program showcases the city’s thought leaders, decision-makers, creators and artists in a series of curated keynotes and city experiences.

Toronto’s program takes place in both WRLDCTY’s “City Stage” and “Experiences” – access to this content is free for registered attendees. Registration for the full conference is available here.  A Pro Pass is also available, allowing for access to certain keynote and discussions, and will allow the content to be viewed up to one year.

Toronto’s host city program is being curated by Destination Toronto, working in partnership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Toronto Global, the City of Toronto’s Economic Development & Culture Division, Toronto Finance International, MaRS, the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, and The 194 Group.  

Be sure to check out Toronto’s program alongside 300+ hours of content throughout the three-day festival.

TOGOTORONTO.COM CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR THE CULINARY COMMUNITY

Destination Toronto has reactivated the popular ToGoToronto.com website to help share information on how to engage with Toronto’s restaurant industry, highlighting takeout, delivery and safe patio dining options currently being offered by participating restaurants.

In the first days of the reactivation, ToGoToronto has referred 2,400 potential diners to 700 restaurants offering takeout, delivery and safe patio options. A robust marketing and social media program is now underway to ensure residents know how to engage safely with restaurants, and to help them discover new culinary options in their own community or across the city.   

Registration remains complimentary for all Toronto restaurants, with new restaurants welcome via the “Add My Restaurant” link.

Let’s keep supporting our city’s vital restaurant community. Visit ToGoToronto.com and support Toronto’s restaurants today.

GOVERNMENT UPDATE:

RAPID TESTING REPLACES 14 DAY QUARANTINE IN CALGARY PILOT PROJECT: The federal government is replacing mandatory 14-day quarantines with rapid COVID-19 tests for international air passengers, starting with a pilot project in Calgary. The move will mandate that arriving passengers be required to submit to a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival, and would replace the mandatory two-week quarantine for all incoming international travellers. Premier Ford on Thursday said he is open to the same approach being taken in Ontario.

CANADA-U.S. BORDER CLOSURE EXTENDED TO NOV 21: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that the Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential travel until November 21. Essential travel includes trade shipments through railways, truckers transporting essential goods, as well as people crossing the border to carry out essential work. Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the U.S. and their immediate family members are also allowed to cross the border.

EU REMOVES CANADA FROM SAFE COUNTRY LIST: The European Union is set to cut Canada, Georgia and Tunisia from a “white list” of countries from which travelers can visit the bloc without COVID-related restrictions such as quarantines or mandatory tests, while adding Singapore. A meeting of ambassadors from the 27 EU nations on Wednesday chose to remove the three countries due to increases in COVID-19 infections.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS:

ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT - NEXT WEEK

Tickets for the Ontario Tourism Summit 2020 and the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence are now available. Hosted by TIAO, this year’s conference is going virtual and embracing the challenges we continue to face as an industry in response to COVID-19. The Summit takes place on October 27 & 28.

TIAC TOURISM CONGRESS

Join TIAC for two days of thought-provoking content, insights and ideas to help rebuild the visitor economy and navigate the new tourism landscape. The Congress will have a bustling virtual marketplace and plenty of networking opportunities.

The TIAC Tourism Congress on November 17 & 18, 2020.

INDUSTRY NEWS

WestJet to refund some passengers due to COVID flight cancelations: WestJet says it will begin providing refunds to passengers whose flights were canceled due to the pandemic, starting November 2. It will begin with those whose flights were canceled in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. The process is expected to take six to nine months.  

Marriott set to open new hotels in Canada next year, including the W Hotel in Toronto: Marriott is set to open 3 new hotels in Canada next year, in Toronto, Montreal and Burlington. The 9-story, 255-room W Hotel Toronto is coming to Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood.

Igloo experience returns to InterContinental Toronto Yorkville: Back by popular demand, just steps from Bloor Street, the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville is offering guests another transformative experience - the chance to dine in heated, transparent igloos that provide warmth and comfort, while surrounded by Canada's winter elements.