INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR OCT 27, 2022

REMINDER: REGISTER TODAY FOR THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FORUM

It’s not too late to register for Destination Toronto’s Business Outlook Forum 2022! 

Join us on Wednesday, November 9th to hear the latest data, trends, and insights shaping the future of the visitor economy and an overview of Destination Toronto’s 2023 business plans. 

CITY FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS WINS ONTARIO TOURISM RESILIENCY AWARD FOR COLLABORATION

The Ontario Resiliency Awards were presented at the TIAO 2022 Ontario Tourism Summit, with City Friends with Benefits winning the Ontario Tourism Resiliency Collaboration Award.

Destination Toronto teamed up with Ottawa Tourism and Tourisme Montréal for the City Friends with Benefits marketing campaign in the summer of 2021, to encourage locals to explore the three-city corridor to support recovery from the pandemic.

To learn more about the City Friends with Benefits campaign, read the Terminal article from the initial launch.

Other Toronto winners included the Tour Guys, who received the Safe Travel Stamp award, and Little Canada, who received Attraction of the Year.

SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLANS: THE PATH TO A MORE RESILIENT SECTOR

In the latest EDGE event, Jill Doucette, CEO and founder of Synergy Enterprises, shared her tips for building a sustainability action plan for your tourism business, based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Read the steps and actionable goals Jill suggests with real-world examples in the latest Terminal article.

TORONTO’S RISE AS AN ESPORTS HUB

Toronto is a gaming hotspot. Many of the world’s top global game developers call Toronto home and the city has played host to major local and renowned esports tournaments.

Matt McGlynn, Vice-President of Marketing & Brand at OverActive Media — Canada’s largest esports ownership group based in Toronto — takes us through the epic tournaments they’ve hosted and what an esports tournament entails.

INDIGENOUS TOURISM ONTARIO AND DESTINATION ONTARIO SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Destination Ontario have further solidified their collaborative relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed at the Ontario Tourism Summit 2022.  

The MOU outlines specific areas for communication, marketing, and mentorship collaboration, with a goal to strengthen the Indigenous tourism industry across Ontario.

TOURISM REPORT SHINES LIGHT ON NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROVINCIAL STRATEGY

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) worked closely with the sector over the last year to inform and develop: The State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report, offering a blueprint for recovery to confront both immediate and long-term challenges resulting from the pandemic.

Key highlights and recommendations from the report are now available. The full report will be released in late 2022.

PEARSON AIRPORT INTRODUCES LIVE WAIT TIMES DASHBOARD

With the release of Pearson Airport’s new dashboard, travelers are able to see wait times for the departure and arrival process in real time. 

PINNACLE AWARD WINNERS

The annual Pinnacle Awards celebrates the achievements of  businesses and individuals in the Foodservice and Hospitality industry. 

Congratulations to Tim Terceira, formerly GM of the St. Regis Hotel, who received Hotelier of the Year, and Tony Elenis and the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association, who received Supplier of the Year.

OPPORTUNITY FOR 2SLGBTQ+ ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES TO “SPARK”

In an effort to make the tourism sector more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and the Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to launch a 2SLGBTQ+ "Spark" Program in Southern Ontario.

The 2SLGBTQ+ "Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide support services to help take your new tourism idea to the next level of development or implementation.

• 2022 Family Medicine Future Annual Meetings Forum, Nov 9-12

ONTARIO PROVIDES $25M FOR INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Over the next three years, the Ontario government is providing $25 million to support economic development in Indigenous communities. 

The funding is designed to support Indigenous businesses and communities as they recover from the pandemic. 

When infrastructure becomes art - Toronto Sun

10 great food markets around the globe - National Geographic

2022 Ontario Hospitality Conference - presented by ORHMA November 1-2 at The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel

Destination Toronto Business Outlook Forum - November 9, 2022, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at The Omni King Edward Hotel (virtual option available)

CGLCC 7th Annual Black & White Gala: Don’t Stop Us Now! - CGLCC Gala on November 11th, 2022 celebrating achievements of Canada's LGBT+ community

Welcoming Cyclists to Your Toronto Business - Ontario By Bike workshop on Monday, November 21, 2022, learn business benefits and get certified as bike friendly 

Join TIAC’s Tourism Congress This November In Ottawa - TIAC Tourism Congress, Nov 22-23, 2022 at The Westin Ottawa

New Location for Second City

Toronto is getting a second Eataly location

Air Canada unveils expanded international network for summer 2023

ROM Receives Significant Donation of Pakistani Contemporary Miniature Paintings from Ali Adil Khan

Hamilton the musical is coming back to Toronto

Indigenous Ingenuity exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre

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