INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

NEW INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT RETURN OF HOSPITALITY WORKERS

A new workforce development program is now available that businesses and employees can take advantage of today. Hospitality EDGE offers a highly curated suite of free online courses for current, sidelined, and aspiring hospitality workers in Toronto, Mississauga or Brampton. The new program offers courses connected to critically-needed skill sets for today’s workforce. 

You can read more about the program in a new article by Destination Toronto’s Manager of Workforce Development, Kathryn Dalziel.

ACCESS PROOF OF VACCINE RESOURCES

Proof of vaccination requirements came into effect on Wednesday September 22 that impacts businesses in tourism and hospitality. Patrons seeking access to some non-essential services must show proof of identification and proof of being fully-vaccinated before entry. Proof is needed for the following indoor areas: meeting and event space; restaurants and bars; sports and recreation facilities; gaming facilities; and film and TV production with studio audiences. 

Government Resources:

• Access the Government of Ontario Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses
• Access these English and French signage for businesses
• Access this Ministry of Health Q&A

Businesses can also contact the Stop the Spread information line at 1-888-444-3659 if they have any questions about the guidance.

The Toronto Region Board of Trade has also created a comprehensive vaccine mandate guide for businesses of all sizes, including a dedicated section for hospitality businesses and the events industry. Access Vaccine Mandates: What Your Business Should Know. 

UPLOAD YOUR EVENTS TO THE TORONTO EVENTS DATABASE

The Toronto Events Database (aka T.E.D.) is a new strategy in partnership with Destination Toronto and the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts to create the most robust and current database of things to do in Toronto. T.E.D. will fuel a network of calendars including the events calendar at DestinationToronto.com, to build and reach new audiences made up of locals and visitors alike. This new database offers a single point for event producers to easily list their events at no cost.

Do you have an event coming up? Submit your listing now! You can access T.E.D. through the front door to the Toronto Events Database Portal on NowPlayingToronto.com, the-soon-to-be-launched local-facing website coming later this fall (and open now for event submissions in beta mode)

Once registered, check to see if your organization and/or venue is listed. If you want to be connected as a representative for that organization or venue, or for more information, email us at support@NowPlayingToronto.com.

SHOW LOVE, GET LOVE SMALL MEETINGS OFFER EXTENDED

Destination Toronto is extending the Show Love, Get Love small meetings offer to August 31, 2022. Show Love, Get Love was launched last February, to entice more than 2,500 domestic meeting planners to book their future meetings in Toronto. Now, with reopenings taking place, we’re thrilled to announce that the Show Love, Get Love offer is being extended to targeted U.S. meeting planners - a critical market for Toronto's business events industry. The offer encourages meeting planners to book now before the end of the year, for their future events taking place before the end of August 2022.

ShowLoveTO RETURNS TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

The City of Toronto’s ShowLoveTO activities kicked off on September 14 with a series of new and returning initiatives including Shop Local, a campaign encouraging residents to support local retail; DineTOgether which began September 17; and LoveTO featuring 25 illuminated hearts found across the city.

TORONTO TAKES PART IN WRLDCTY FOR 2ND YEAR IN A ROW

For the 2nd year in a row, Toronto will be a host city for WRLDCTY - a global forum for urban Innovation. WRLDCTY 2021 will feature sessions from the world’s best cities with Toronto presenting a series of panels, fireside chats and one-one-one conversations with thought leaders across a multitude of industries.

As a Host City, we are able to extend an opportunity to register for the full conference for free, using Destination Toronto’s exclusive promo code: WRLDCTYVIP0

RAP DIGITAL CERTIFICATE: DESTINATION DIGITAL: 
TOOLS TO TRANSFORM YOUR TOURISM BUSINESS

On Wednesday September 8, Destination Toronto partnered with the World Trade Centre Toronto for a facilitated workshop on digital transformation geared specifically for tourism businesses. Watch the video below and be sure to take the free Digital Needs Assessment today to assess your digital needs in this new era.

NEW SEPTEMBER MARKET READINESS INDEX AVAILABLE

Destination Toronto’s Market Readiness Index is updated monthly, available on the Terminal. The Index identifies and consolidates market signals and indicators to assess the readiness of  source markets for Toronto's visitor economy. Read more about this month’s Index in an article by Destination Toronto’s Executive Vice President, Andrew Weir, on the Terminal

ATTRACTIONS WEEK COMING TO TORONTO: Attractions Week is a 10-day celebration of Toronto’s world-class attractions taking place October 1-10. Take part in Attractions Week this year and be sure to use #AttractionsWeek and #ShowLoveTO when experiencing (or re-experiencing) a new or favourite Toronto attraction.

THE RESTORED PARK HYATT TORONTO REOPENS: The reimagined Park Hyatt Toronto debuted last week with new interiors from Studio Munge, luxury guest rooms, and immersive food and beverage concepts. New to the hotel is Joni, a casual bistro-style restaurant inspired by Toronto’s arts and culture scene.

LUMINATO SET TO RETURN THIS OCTOBER: Toronto’s international festival of arts and culture is coming October 13-17, 2021 with 5 days of art, music, dance, and theatre, combined with some digital magic. We’re thrilled to share our offering for you: a multi-disciplinary international arts festival, full of love letters to Toronto.

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