In this issue:

• 2024 was a record year for visitor spending in Toronto;
• Top Chef: Destination Canada spotlights Toronto;
• Access our 2025 Marketing Playbook, and more.

A Record Year for Visitor Spending

We released our 2024 visitor numbers this week. While there were 600,000 fewer overnight visitors as compared to 2019, 9 million visitors injected a record $8.8 billion into Toronto's economy. The Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, CP24 and others covered the report.

Bravo's Top Chef: Destination Canada spotlights Toronto

This week, Bravo’s Top Chef shared more details on Season 22 premiering March 13th. As the city's culinary scene gets a global spotlight, we're ready to inspire more visitors to eat their way through Toronto’s many diverse neighbourhoods!

Sharing our 2025 Marketing Playbook

Destination Toronto’s Marketing Playbook outlines our content strategy, editorial calendar, and ways for you to engage across our media platforms.

Save the Date for our 2025 Events

Destination Toronto’s first event of 2025 will be our annual Spring Briefing on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 3 p.m. at TIFF Lightbox.

Please also save June 10 for our Annual General Meeting, and September 15 for the Business Outlook Forum held in partnership with the Greater Toronto Hotel Association.

December 2025 Monthly Accommodation Report

The Monthly Accommodation Report outlines hotel and short-term rental market performance. 

Tara Gordon chats with ELX CEO Nicola Kastner

Tara Gordon, SVP of Global Sales and Services, chatted with Nicola Kastner, CEO at Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), about our new strategic partnership and how we’re tapping into intellectual capital from every angle.

Reminder to Register for our Members-only Networking Event

Register for our members-only networking event on Monday, February 10, 2025. The roundtable session at 3:30 p.m. is almost full, so register today to secure your spot or to join us for the cocktail reception at 5 p.m.

How to support Black History Month with your business

Writer, Keynote Speaker, and On-air Personality, Heather Greenwood Davis, highlights businesses who are meaningfully celebrating Black History Month and provides helpful strategies for your business to support Black voices in the month of February and beyond. 

How To Celebrate Lunar New Year in Toronto

The Year of the Snake kicked off on January 29, 2025. The Lunar New Year is a holiday centred around prosperity, good health, and honouring family, and it is celebrated in Asian communities all over the Greater Toronto Area. 

Have Your Say on Holiday Hours for Retail

City Council is assessing whether to retain or change the list of nine specified retail holidays in Toronto. The anonymous survey closes February 20, 2025.