From Terminal 2, Destination Toronto's bi-weekly community newsletter
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR APRIL 19, 2022
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NOW PLAYING TORONTO NOW FULLY LIVE!
Now Playing Toronto is now live, providing consumers with a free, digital, one-stop source for arts, cultural and community events in Toronto! Developed by Destination Toronto and the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts, along with an advisory group of leaders across major arts disciplines in Toronto, Now Playing Toronto is designed to be the best place for locals to find everything happening in Toronto tonight, this weekend or a month from now.
With new social channels (@nowplayingtoronto / @nowplayingTO) and engaging content (artist profiles, interviews, and weekly round-ups), Now Playing Toronto offers an ecosystem of content and listings that together drive towards audience development.
Now Playing Toronto is powered by the Toronto Events Database (T.E.D.), the most comprehensive and robust events database. Make sure your events are included by uploading event details to T.E.D. via NowPlayingToronto.com.
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TOURISM RELIEF FUND BRINGS $10-MILLION INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY TO TORONTO, MISSISSAUGA AND BRAMPTON
On April 6, 2022, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a total investment of $68.5 million through the Tourism Relief Fund for Indigenous Tourism Ontario and 11 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) across southern Ontario, supporting individual businesses and associations as they expand and enhance the region’s tourism experiences.
Tourism businesses and organizations in Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton will be able to apply for funding from a total pool of $10 million through the Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Destination Toronto working in partnership with the City of Toronto, Tourism Mississauga and the City of Brampton Tourism Office.
More information on the application process will be announced by Destination Toronto very soon.
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KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE 2022 SPRING BRIEFING
Destination Toronto’s Spring Briefing Webinar last week began with a review of key data and indicators, including an updated Market Readiness Index, and focused on key initiatives and platforms that businesses can leverage to maximize the opportunity of the visitor economy in the coming months.
Read the event summary, watch the Spring Briefing replay, and access key tools and resources at the Destination Toronto Research and Insights Terminal.
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KEY MARKETS CONTINUE FORWARD PUSH IN APRIL MARKET READINESS INDEX
The April Market Readiness Index, shows that all domestic markets are firmly in the green zone and the U.S. and international markets continue to show improvement, though lag behind domestic recovery.
The latest improvements come as Destination Readiness took another step forward with a further reduction in Covid-19 health restrictions. It bears mention that, since this Index was produced and the data analyzed, a sixth wave and new variant of Covid-19 have emerged. As with past waves we have observed a regression in customer readiness to travel. The coming weeks will be critical in sustaining forward momentum in travel.
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RESTAURANT APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMERLICIOUS 2022 OPEN APRIL 14
The City of Toronto’s popular Summerlicious program is returning from August 12 to 28. This year’s program aims to support the recovery and revival of Toronto’s restaurant scene while providing enticing experiences and delectable food that restaurant-goers have come to expect. To support restaurant operators, new for 2022 are this year’s modified features including:
- Free for all eligible restaurants to participate;
- Expanded range of price-point categories for 3-course prix fixe Summerlicious menus; and,
- A simplified online application process.
Applications will be accepted from April 14 through to April 29.
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FILL OUT THE TIAO SURVEY: ONTARIO NEEDS TOURISM
The provincial election is taking place on June 2, 2022 and TIAO is seeking to understand the challenges facing tourism businesses, how concerned respondents are for the future of the tourism industry, what supports are necessary for your business, and how the government can support tourism in Ontario.
TIAO will use these findings in their advocacy to ensure that your views are heard and that tourism recovery is on the platform of every candidate vying for elected office.
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RENDEZ-VOUS CANADA RETURNS, BRINGING GLOBAL BUYERS BACK TO TORONTO
Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from May 24 – 27 2022, Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is a marketplace helping to connect the tourism industry with international and domestic buyers, supporting the recovery and resilience of the sector.
Hosted by Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the 2022 event is a hybrid event, bringing back in-person attendance, while also incorporating a virtual component, creating opportunities for more of the industry to engage and make appointments with international buyers, travel trade media and Destination Marketing Companies (DMC).
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PAID CONTENT OPPORTUNITIES ON DESTINATIONTORONTO.COM
Promote your business and messaging on the Content Hub, DestinationToronto.com, through DTN, the premier online ad network for Destination Marketing Organizations and industry partners. DTN provides tourism and hospitality businesses of every size, scope, and scale with a variety of paid content opportunities across DestinationToronto.com, facilitating direct access to consumers who are actively planning their Toronto experience and are ready to book and buy.
DTN will be reaching out in the coming weeks to share more details on the opportunities available and how these placements can help target marketing messages to reach a more qualified user audience, delivering higher content engagement and conversion rates.
To learn more, please contact Advertising@DTNads.com or complete this form and a DTN Program Consultant will connect with you with details about your paid content program options.
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VOTE FOR TORONTO IN THE STELLA AWARDS!
We’re excited to announce that Destination Toronto is a nominee in the category of Best DMO/ CVB (International) for the 6th Annual Stella Awards from Northstar Meetings Group!
The Stella Awards honour organizations who have a proven track record of excellence and are best positioned to excel as the industry emerges from the global health crisis. Stella Awards finalists will be determined by the nominations that receive the most votes before May 13th – help Destination Toronto get recognized for what we already know, that Toronto is the best of the best!
Once you vote, you’ll be entered to win one of 15 Amazon gift cards from Northstar Meetings Group, which will be awarded to individuals after the voting period ends.
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Where to find a ‘Little Jamaica’ in Canada - Toronto based travel-writer Heather Greenwood Davis takes readers through a tour of Little Jamaica, sharing the history, childhood memories, and some of her favourite businesses at Nationalgeographic.com.
Destination Toronto Arts and Entertainment segment - Finance and travel expert Barry Choi provides CTV News Ottawa with an update on art events and installations happening in Toronto.
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GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS ROAD MAP
On April 4, 2022, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced important changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program under the Workforce Solutions Road Map which will provide restaurant and foodservice operators with more efficient and effective access to this crucial program.
This initiative marks the next step in an ongoing effort to adjust and improve the TFW Program to ensure it continues to meet the labour market needs of today. In 2020, TFWs made up less than 0.4% of the Canadian workforce and will continue to make up a small percentage of our workforce with these changes. The Government will carefully monitor implementation and continually review the policies to ensure they are addressing real labour shortages without displacing Canadian workers.
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Luminato Festival Toronto is back June 9 – 19, 2022 - Luminato Festival Toronto – the city’s international festival of arts and ideas – will return this summer from June 9th to June 19th with a bold line-up of exceptional art which will Reignite Toronto. Over the course of 11 days, Luminato will deliver a significant celebration of creativity that spans Toronto and the GTA in both familiar and unexpected places. The festival will highlight climate change and sustainability, as well as equity and inclusion through visual art, theatre, music, and dance.
Casa Loma announces new PRINCESS DIANA: ACCREDITED ACCESS EXHIBITION April 20th – June 12th - The first-ever walk-thru documentary, tells the untold story of how a Princess changed the world. A photography and art exhibit at Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma featuring bespoke art installations and larger than life images that take guests on a stunning visual journey narrated by Diana’s longest-standing Royal Photographer.
Canadian Stage announces the return of Dream in High Park - Dream in High Park is one of Canada’s largest and longest running outdoor professional theatre events, taking place at the picturesque High Park Amphitheatre, and welcoming over 30,000 audience members to the park each year. Dream has grown into a large-scale cultural event that runs throughout the summer and offers pay-what-you-wish pricing for an inclusive family-friendly event that provides accessible theatre and engages the local community.
Megabus to resume service between Toronto and the U.S., increase trips in Ontario - Megabus.com announced the company will resume its operations between the Canada-U.S. border due to what it called growing demand for the service. Those stops include New York, NY, Albany, NY, Baltimore, MD, Buffalo, NY, Harrisburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA, and Washington DC.
Canada’s Wonderland announces exciting festival and event lineup ahead of opening day April 30 - the amusement park announced this summer's event line up and it includes both new and beloved events, with a recent announcement detailing a handful of brand new international food festivals. The park will introduce three new food festivals this summer that will take your tastebuds around the world. The festivals include Taste of Portugal, Taste of Ireland, and Taste of the Caribbean.
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