INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR MAY 12, 2022

TORONTO BECOMES FIRST MICHELIN DESTINATION IN CANADA

This week, Destination Toronto joined Mayor Tory and key partners to announce the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide for Toronto - the first Canadian destination for the highly influential Guide.  Capitalizing on the deep culinary scene that reflects the full diversity of Toronto, the MICHELIN Guide will help spread the word about Toronto as a culinary destination to travellers around the world.

While many travellers may not seek out the MICHELIN star-rated restaurants per se,  the reputational lift and positive impact to the overall culinary ecosystem helps all travellers recognize the quality and depth of our culinary scene. 

Read more about the announcement and what it means for Toronto in the Terminal.

To read coverage of the announcement, please see below under Toronto in the News. 

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR THE TOURISM RELIEF FUND

The Tourism Relief Fund deadline has been extended to May 22, 2022 by 11:59pm.

The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations in adapting operations and meeting changing public health requirements, while providing an opportunity to invest in new products and services that can help make businesses more accessible for more customers. 

Destination Toronto is administering the program in its capacity as Regional Tourism Organization 5 (RTO5), working in close partnership with the City of Toronto, Tourism Mississauga, and the City of Brampton Tourism Office, on behalf of FedDev Ontario, to deliver funds for tourism businesses in Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton.

Applicants are encouraged to book a 25-minute call with one of our in-house Business Liaisons to seek answers to any questions related to either the program criteria and/or the application process. If you are interested, we encourage you to book your virtual call at your earliest convenience by sending a short email to: trfinfo@rto5.com.

You can learn more about eligibility and the application process, and begin an application, by visiting the dedicated portal for the Tourism Relief Fund in our region: rto5.com.

There are strict eligibility requirements and some business sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and retail are ineligible for this particular program.

RENDEZ-VOUS CANADA RETURNS, BRINGING GLOBAL TRAVEL TRADE BUYERS BACK TO TORONTO

Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from May 24 – 27 2022, Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is Canada's Signature Leisure Tourism marketplace helping to connect Canadian based tourism industry suppliers 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 marketplace 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 take part in timed appointments with international buyers and travel trade media.

FREE WEBINAR TO LEARN ABOUT THE ONTARIO MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION

As a result of the pandemic, the motor coach segment of the tourism market is one of the most drastically impacted travel segments in the industry. As travel begins its recovery, group travel can play a significant role in that rebound and future growth. 

The Ontario Motor Coach Association invites you to join its webinar on Tuesday, May 24th to learn about the organization,  OMCA’s Marketplace event in Niagara Falls November 13-16, and the tools and resources that can help businesses maximize the opportunity of  the motor coach group travel segment.  

ONTARIO VOTES 2022: #ONTARIONEEDSTOURISM

On June 2, Ontario will head to the polls to elect a new provincial government to serve in the 43rd Parliament of Ontario. This election will shape Ontario’s economic strategies and this is an opportunity to help  candidates  understand the challenges faced by the tourism industry and the opportunities for growth and prosperity through the visitor economy.  

TIAO has launched the non-partisan microsite OntarioNeedsTourism.ca to help start a conversation with all candidates about why #OntarioNeedsTourism. 

FREE MARKETING WEBINARS FOR CULTURAL TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS

The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund is providing a series of webinars to share insights, learnings, tips and tricks with cultural and tourism organizations. 

The below webinars are for all cultural and tourism organization personnel including marketers, fundraisers, executive and artistic leaders, and board members. They will be useful for anyone interested in improving their marketing and leadership skills. 

• May 25: Backed by Audience Data: Your Digital Marketing Priorities for 2022 (MP, from Capacity Interactive)
• June 1: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Email: User-Centric Marketing (Alison Goldberg and Dan Titmuss from Capacity Interactive)
• June 7: The Changing Face of Ontario: Attracting New Audiences in our Cultural Mosaic (Bobby Sahni from Ethnicity Matters)
• June 15: Ask Me Anything with Capacity Interactive

MAYOR TORY OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF PATIO SEASON WITH THE 2022 LAUNCH OF CAFÉTO

Last week, Mayor John Tory officially kicked off the City of Toronto’s 2022 CaféTO program with the opening of the first patio and the announcement on the expansion of the City’s Amplified Live Music on Patios program.

The CaféTO program began in 2020 to help bar and restaurant operators during the pandemic by providing safe, outdoor dining areas in the public right-of-way. Again this year, the City has received applications for more than 1,000 curb lane cafés and sidewalk cafés. Additional curb lane café installations are anticipated throughout the summer for applications that can be accommodated and were received after the deadline. In addition, the City continues to receive more sidewalk café permit applications each day.

THE 2022 CITY OF TORONTO INDIGENOUS ARTS AND CULTURE PARTNERSHIPS FUND IS NOW OPEN

The Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnerships Fund supports partnerships and collaborations that create new opportunities and visibility for Indigenous-led arts and culture. The fund aims to spark new relationships between Indigenous artists, arts and culture leaders and professionals, and potential partners at both the grassroots and institutional levels. 

Application deadline is Wednesday, September 7 at 4 p.m.

Maanjidowin: The Gathering - The Maanjidowin sculpture, which sits at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the dock wall overlooking the Western Gap, was commissioned by PortsToronto in recognition of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and their relationship to the land, air and water on which Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport now operates. 

The Art Gallery of Ontario launches a major expansion with ‘super-subtle’ architecture - Selldorf Architects, headed by Annabelle Selldorf, will lead the design team for the expansion in collaboration with Toronto firms Diamond Schmitt and Two Row Architect. 

Doors Open Ontario is back in-person in Toronto this month - Doors Open Ontario, a program by Ontario Heritage Trust, gives people exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at some of the province’s cultural and natural wonders.

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