MARKING ONE FULL YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC FOR TORONTO’S TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY

Over the past 12 months, Toronto’s tourism and hospitality community has faced unimaginable challenges in the face of a global pandemic. From navigating travel restrictions and lockdowns, to tremendous innovation and leadership, the work done to weather the storm has been nothing short of remarkable.

This March, we’re highlighting the impact the global pandemic has had on the visitor economy, the businesses within it, and the people dedicated to its success.

A new section of the SeeTorontoNow site is dedicated to the impact the pandemic has had on the visitor economy, including a new analysis you will find below.

No doubt, the tourism and hospitality sector will come back stronger than before as we collectively work towards recovery. And as the past 12 months have proven, this community is and will remain, #HospitalityStrong.

NEW ANALYSIS: PANDEMIC’S TOLL ON TORONTO’S VISITOR ECONOMY SURPASSES $8 BILLION

This week, Destination Toronto released an analysis that shows the pandemic resulted in $8.35 billion in lost economic activity from the loss visitor spending in Toronto over the past 12 months. When the Greater Toronto region is included, the economic losses grow to more than $14 billion.

The research, conducted by Destination Toronto’s Business Intelligence unit, stems from the Visitor Economy Study produced in late 2019, and shows the enormity of the pandemic’s impact on our community. 

The analysis highlights the sectors hardest hit, how visitor spending has dropped year-over-year, and the devastating impact the pandemic has had on meetings, conferences and events industry.

You can read the announcement here, and find some of the media coverage on Global News, BlogTO, and CBC.

All of the graphics created are available for you to share on social, on your websites, or in emails or newsletters using #HospitalityStrong to tell our story together.

Join in the conversation, and help spread the word about why tourism matters, today.

NEW SERIES: INSIGHTS FROM TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY LEADERS

Businesses and people in Toronto’s tourism and hospitality sector have had a year like no other. In this new series, leaders from the industry share their insights and reflect back on the past year, and look ahead to recovery. Each Friday in March, we’ll ask 3 questions to new industry leaders to gain their insights into Toronto’s visitor economy.

This week’s insights comes from:

• Rob Housez, General Manager, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
• Laura Purdy, General Manager, Exhibition Place; and
• Meg Marshall, Manager of Bloorcourt & Queen West BIAs
  

ONTARIO SUPPORTING TOURISM AND CULTURE IN THE GTA

This week, Minister MacLeod announced that the Ontario government is providing a one-time investment of up to $27 million to support the continued operation, maintenance and capital needs of six tourism and cultural institutions in the GTA. The funding protects jobs and ensures the financial stability of these six vital organizations.

The government will be providing financial support to the following ministry agencies and attractions: 

• The Metro Toronto Convention Centre
• The Royal Ontario Museum
• The Ontario Science Centre
• The McMichael Canadian Art Collection
• The Art Gallery of Ontario
• The Royal Botanical Gardens

Thank you to Minister Lisa MacLeod for her continued support during the pandemic.  

TORONTO SET TO ENTER GREY ZONE

After nearly four months Toronto’s stay-at-home orders will be lifted on Monday. Earlier today, the premier announced that Toronto would enter the grey zone of the provincial system.

Under the grey zone, the following rules apply:

• Retail can reopen at 25% of normal capacity
• Drive-in cinemas are permitted
• Rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event continues to be permitted, with restrictions
• Restaurants and bars continue to be takeout and delivery only
• Indoor gatherings continue to remain banned
  
  

SOCIAL ROUND-UP: #LOCALLICIOUS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR LOCALS

Destination Toronto’s social team continues to promote local businesses and neighbourhoods - sharing how residents can support local while following public health guidelines. Here’s a roundup from the past two weeks, including #LocalLicious and outdoor activities for winter:

• Culinary Contests: The Historic Distillery District’s El Catrin was featured this week for a contest that garnered 2,477 submissions, and last week’s contest for the popular pizza parlor Maker Pizza garnered 2,719 submissions.
• Last weekend for LocalLicious: Continuing the foodie trend, it’s the last weekend for LocalLicious, featured on Insta this week.
• Little Portugal neighbourhood takeover: We had another neighbourhood takeover last week with Danielle from @tofoodies featuring Little Portugal – a video with more than 16,899 views so far.
• 5 outdoor activities for winter: Arienne @seeusoontravel  toured 5 outdoor winter activities to experience this month.
• Skate while you can: This week, we reminded locals to get out and skate while they can, a post with nearly 2,500 engagements on Instagram.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

DESTINATION ONTARIO PRESENTS GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

Destination Ontario is hosting its next educational webinar in their series: Google My Business. Learn how to optimize your digital presence in this free tourism-focused webinar. Google will provide an overview of Google My Business and other tools that can help enhance online presence (e.g. Test My Site, Google Ads, Google Trends). Google will also share the Google Guide for Small and Medium Businesses to help navigate through the readily available resources.

GMB is for:

• Local businesses with a physical location
• Service-area or roaming businesses (e.g. gardener, food truck)
• Seasonal businesses open for a limited time, if signage is displayed year-round (e.g. pumpkin patch)
• Businesses inside other businesses (e.g. stores inside a mall)

Thursday, March 18, 2021
9:30 – 11 a.m.

Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Drake reps the 6ix: No one reps the 6ix like Drake, and he just did it again. Drake's new single, What's Next, features some of Toronto's most iconic spots - the CN Tower, Ripley's, Yonge & Dundas Square, the tarmac at Pearson and most of all - Toronto in winter. The track dropped today and currently sits as #1 on trending on YouTube. Thanks for the love, Drizzy.

Toronto Pearson named best airport in North America for fourth year in a row: Congratulations to the team at Toronto Pearson, named Best Large Airport in North America serving more than 40 million passengers” by Airports Council International. Pearson was also awarded best hygiene measures accolades.

The Bentway launches new Digital and/as Public Space: The Bentway’s new initiative will explore the interaction between digital and physical space in order to re-examine public space, overcome access barriers, promote civic engagement, and support community resilience in online, offline, and hybrid contexts.