LAST CHANCE: REGISTER FOR NEXT WEEK’S ASSESSING MARKET READINESS WEBINAR

Destination Toronto is hosting a free webinar this coming Monday that looks at the current state of Toronto’s key markets and segments, and review of the signals framework to determine the return to travel.

Andrew Weir, EVP of Destination Development and Drew Franklin, Business Intelligence Architect, unpack the important cues in determining how to assess market readiness to resume sales and marketing activity.

Date: Monday, April 19, 2021
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 am

ONTARIO PROVIDES $42 MILLION IN NON-PROFIT SECTOR FUNDING

The Ontario government is providing more than $42 million to help 559 non-profit organizations across the province to support staff and volunteers, reimagine programing and renovate facilities as they deal with the impacts of the pandemic.

The Resilient Communities Fund provides grants of up to $150,000 to eligible non-profit organizations. 

TOURISM RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY HIGHLIGHTED AT TOURISM QUEEN’S PARK DAY

Yesterday, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario held its 3^rd virtual Tourism Day with a focus on post-pandemic recovery. The day virtually convened tourism industry leaders, including Destination Toronto and businesses within the city, with MPPs across the province to facilitate a deeper understanding of the specific challenges facing tourism businesses, and proposed solutions that support business solvency and a return to tourism growth for the long-term.

You can read more about Tourism Day at Queen’s Park via TIAO social feeds.

TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE RELEASES SECTOR STRATEGIES REPORT

The Toronto Region Board of Trade has released a report aimed at accelerating the region’s economic recovery. This report, Fast Forward: Sector Strategies for Accelerating the Toronto Region’s Recovery, features six recommendations to ensure the region remains a great place to invest, live and work in the years ahead.

The reports makes special mention of the lost economic activity as a result of the closure of the visitor economy. Recommendations include a call to position the region as an early destination where business and leisure travellers can plan to visit, accelerating our recovery and long-term growth as a destination.

CONGRATULATIONS MARA RODAS:
NAMED ONE OF DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL’S ‘30 UNDER 30.’

We’re thrilled to announce that one of our team members, Mara Rodas, has been named one of Destinations International's 2021 30 Under 30 recipients! Mara has been an integral part of the Destination Toronto Global Sales and Services team, and we’re so proud she has named one of this year’s honourees.

Congratulations Mara!

UPCOMING DESTINATION TORONTO EVENTS

CROSS-SECTOR PERSPECTIVES ON REOPENING

A round table discussion with industry leaders from different types of businesses in tourism and hospitality to share key learnings from the early days of reopening. 

Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 am 

EXPANDING YOUR DIGITAL REACH

Learn about the ongoing shifts and trends across digital and content marketing followed by an overview of Destination Toronto’s new content hub - designed to better engage visitors and locals, alike. Also learn how your business can take advantage of specific marketing opportunities on the content hub to drive your business success.

Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 am

INDUSTRY NEWS

Air Canada and federal government reach deal on relief package: The federal government has reached an agreement with Air Canada that will provide the airline with up to $5.9 billion in financial support — while committing the airline to refunding customers who saw their flights cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief package is through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility, a program aimed at supporting large Canadian employers who have lost revenue due to COVID-19

Juno Awards move to June 6: Canada’s biggest music night is shifting its 50^th anniversary show to June 6. The Junos were moved to May 19 in response to the pandemic.

Inaugural Black music festival AfroWaveTO to stream on April 24: The festival features a lineup of multi-genre musicians including Exco Levi, Kirk Diamond, Desiire and LeiLa Dey. The AfroWaveTO festival streams on April 24 at 7 pm. It’s free to watch (register here).

ROM launches #MyPandemicStory: The ROM is capturing the experience of living in a pandemic through the eyes of kids and teens. The perspective will help build a new crowd-sourced exhibition at the ROM, featuring a curated display of original works of art, opening this fall.

Arts champion Nada Ristich honoured with new theatre venue named in her honour: Crow's Theatre's new studio album is being named the Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery in honour of the beloved arts champion. An evening to celebrate Nada Ristich will take place on June 27th, 8p.m.