SAVEHOSPITALITY.CA LAUNCHES LOCALLICIOUS

From February 25 to March 7, SaveHospitality.ca, a coalition of independent Canadian restaurateurs and suppliers, is inviting restaurants to join in a new promotion – LocalLicious. Participating restaurants are asked to offer a three-course prix fixe menu, with $1 from every menu sold to be donated to a local charity of their choice. The menu, price point, and charity are all up to each restaurant.

Restaurants can sign up here, and download a set of LocalLicious images and sample posts here. Don’t forget to tag the charity of choice on Instagram, as well as @savehospitality.ca and #LocalLiciousCA, to help spread the word.

LocalLicious is another tremendous example of the tourism and hospitality community coming together in an innovative way while also do their part to help others.  

STAY-AT-HOME ORDER IN TORONTO UNTIL MARCH 8

The Ontario government has extended Toronto’s stay-at-home order following the advice of Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer. The new order will be in place until at least March 8 in Toronto, Peel and other regions. Nearby York Region is now scheduled to be placed under the “Red-Control.”

This extension gives more time for COVID case numbers to drop, and hopefully increases the chances of Toronto staying open once the city moves out of lockdown as spring approaches, weather warms and locals are more able to experience the city safely.

BETH POTTER APPOINTED PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

Congratulations to Beth Potter who has been named the new President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. For the past 11 years, Beth has served as the President and CEO of Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) – a role that has never been more important than over the last year.

Beth’s last day at TIAO will be March 12 and will begin her new role on March 15. At that time, Carol Greenwood, Vice President, Membership and Business Development will become interim TIAO President and CEO. In addition, Chris Bloore has been promoted to to Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs.

Please join us in congratulating Beth, Carol and Chris!

MANDATORY HOTEL QUARANTINE MEASURES FOR TRAVELLERS BEGIN MONDAY

Starting Monday, all incoming air passengers at Pearson will take a COVID test after landing, and are required to quarantine for three nights at a hotel while awaiting test results.

If results are negative, travellers will be allowed to return home to isolate under newly "increased surveillance and enforcement" until their 14-day federally-ordered quarantine period is up.

If they test positive, they will have to continue quarantining at a designated government facility for the remainder of the 14 days, followed by another COVID-19 test.

SOCIAL ROUND-UP: NEIGHBOURHOOD STROLLS AND SUPPORTING LOCAL

Each week, Destination Toronto’s social highlights local businesses and neighbourhoods, and how residents can support local while following public health guidelines. Here’s a roundup of this week on our social feed:

• Touring Roncy and Bloor West Village: Last weekend, Arienne @seeusoontravel and Jenn @jennweatherhead safely toured Roncy and Bloor West Village on Insta – a takeover with 15K views to-date.
• New foodie contest: This week’s contest features one of Toronto’s favourite pizzerias, Maker Pizza.
• Free winter activities: This weekend, Arienne will also be doing a round-up of free and outdoor activities to do this winter.
• At-home crafts: Coming up, Arienne @seeusoontravelhosts a takeover highlighting activities and crafts to enjoy at home, all while supporting local businesses. Stay tuned for more info about the upcoming giveaway with Arienne’s takeover.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

TIAC WEBINAR: STATE OF TOURISM IN CANADA

Join TIAC and Twenty31 for two sessions in the next two weeks. Tune in to hear Twenty31's take on high-level findings from the ‘State of Tourism in Canada during COVID-19’ dashboard report, joined by special guests to hear how they addressed some of the challenges and opportunities highlighted in the current report.

Session 1: February 24, 11 am (French)

• Nicolas Lefebvre, Director Tourism & Hospitality, Agence Française de développement d’AlUla
• Emmanuelle Legault, Vice-présidente marketing et stratégie, Tourisme Montréal
  
  

Session 2: March 1, 10 am (English)

• Saran, Michele A, CEO, Tourism Nova Scotia
• Sisa Ntshona, CEO, South African Tourism

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WEBINAR WITH MINISTER MACLEOD & MINISTER TIBOLLO

Minister MacLeod and Minister Tibollo are hosting a webinar for those in the heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries who have questions about mental well-being and who may be searching for mental health resources for themselves or for their family, friends, and coworkers.

Date: Tuesday, February 22
Time: 10:00 a.m.

INDUSTRY NEWS

General Assembly Pizza raises $13 million to scale pizza subscriptions across Canada: Toronto’s General Assembly has announced that it has that it has raised a $13 million to grow what GA Pizza calls the world’s first subscription pizza service.

Bloor-Yorkville IceFest presents A Trip Around the World: Follow a self-guided, socially distanced ice sculpture trail around Bloor-Yorkville and escape to some of the Follow a self-guided, socially distanced ice sculpture trail around Bloor-Yorkville and escape to some of the world’s most iconic destinations. You can explore the trail in-person or virtually on Instagram @BloorYorkville and on YouTube at Bloor‑Yorkville BIA.