PROVINCE LAUNCHES NEW ONTARIO TOURISM AND TRAVEL
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT: APPLY TODAY

The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant. The launch of the program was announced yesterday by Minister Lisa MacLeod.

This grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as travel agents, hotels, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.

This new grant will provide much-needed support for many of Toronto’s small businesses, enabling them to weather the storm a little longer until business volumes return. 

Applications for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant are now open until June 25, 2021.

REMINDER: REGISTER TODAY FOR DESTINATION TORONTO ANNUAL MEETING

JUNE 3, 2021, 2:00 P.M.

Destination Toronto will hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The event will be broadcast live from new StudioEX at Exhibition Place, and is open to everyone to join virtually. Registration is now open. 

STAY AT HOME ORDER EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 2

The Government of Ontario has extended the Stay at Home order for an additional 2 weeks. While we’re seeing positive trends from public health measures and increased vaccination, the government announced an extension of the stay-at-home order to get case numbers under control and the increase the likelihood of shuttered businesses being open in Toronto come summer. 

CITY EXTENDS CANCELLATION OF MAJOR EVENTS 

The City of Toronto announced Thursday the cancellation of all in-person City-led and City-permitted outdoor events to Labour Day. The city had previously cancelled major events up until July 1 but extended it until September 6, affecting all summer festivals and activities. 

The decision to cancel all summer events was made in consultation with Toronto’s medical officer of health, city’s emergency operations centre, Toronto police and event organizers in the continued effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19.  

DESTINATION TORONTO SECURES 5,000 ATTENDEE CONFERENCE FOR FUTURE TWO YEARS

We are thrilled to share the news that the Global Sales team has secured new business for the city. The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research has rebooked their ASMBR conference for 2024 that was previously to be held this year. The life science sector meeting will also be hosting their 2027 conference in Toronto, bringing 5,000 attendees and an estimated economic impact of $26.5 million for each event. We can’t wait to welcome these new delegates to our city!

A TASTE OF SPRING ON SOCIAL

Destination Toronto’s social team has been helping to promote businesses throughout the stay-at-home order. That support continues as the weather gets warmer with spring finally sprung. Here are some of the highlights from our social feeds this May.

• Supporting local businesses throughout Toronto neighbourhoods like the Distillery District and Yorkville
• Supporting Toronto's culinary scene with weekly contests featuring gift card prizes to local restaurants - this week’s contest is for Maha's Egyptian Brunch for #FalafelDay
• Supporting artists and amplifying The City of Toronto's #CityHallLive performances each week via our Instagram story and Twitter
• Showing love to our major attractions like Casa Loma , Ripley's Aquarium, and The CN Tower 
• Encouraging followers to explore their own neighbourhoods through our Cherry Blossom Guide  and neighbourhood reels.

 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN TORONTO TRANSIT PROJECTS

The federal government is set to invest $10.7 billion to help Ontario fund four major transit routes in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. The new funding commitment ensures the Ontario Line project will bring rapid transit from Exhibition Place, through downtown, to the Ontario Science Centre.

The three other priority transit projects to receive funding include the Eglinton Crosstown West LRT, the Yonge North extension and the expansion of the Bloor-Danforth line into Scarborough, further connecting communities across the city and increasing accessibility.

TIAO ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
CONGRATULATIONS, CHRIS BLOORE

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario has announced the appointment of Christopher Bloore as the organization’s new President and CEO starting May 17, 2021. His appointment comes after an intensive search led by TIAO’s Board of Directors in partnership with executive search firm Boyden

Bloore will assume the role of President and CEO after serving as TIAO’s Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs. Seasoned in communications and public policy, Bloore previously spent 15 years serving at the House of Commons in the United Kingdom in addition to being elected four times as a City Councillor in the West Midlands.

Please join us in congratulating Chris on his new role!

INDUSTRY NEWS

Greyhound Canada shutting down all bus service permanently: As of midnight last night, Greyhound Canada is permanently halting their Canadian bus service. While Greyhound bus service between Canadian destinations will end, Greyhound's U.S. parent will continue to operate five cross-border routes that either start or finish in the U.S. including Toronto to Buffalo and Toronto to NYC.

TSO releases its latest Musical Moment: Since the start of the pandemic, the TSO has partnered with the Toronto Star for Musical Moments – a live at home performance. Watch and listen to the latest moment featuring TSO Violin Peter Seminovs alongside a very special guest.