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IN THIS ISSUE - HIGHLIGHTS
- Join TT's big Holiday celebration
- Torontoland update
- World Travel Market brings insight into Europe and U.K.
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With Toronto Island Airport widely expanding its services in recent years, it has become an increasingly common entry point for U.S. travellers coming to the region. As can be observed in the chart below, the number of Americans flying into Toronto Island Airport has increased dramatically since 2009.
Source: Statistics Canada
Share some holiday cheer
The evites have all been sent, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre has been booked now all we need is you. Please join Tourism Toronto and 1,000 of your closest friends on December 20 as we celebrate the season.
Again this year, your $5 donation/registration fee will benefit the Fort York Food Bank. N.B. This is a monetary donation only and we cannot accept food item donations at the door.
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Toronto food diary
TT’s Media Relations team’s recent food-related press trip is bringing in lots of high-profile drooling over Toronto’s restaurant scene. About.com ran a detailed piece on great places to eat, sleep and drink, as well as highlighting a contest being sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission to win a trip to Toronto. About.com has 75 million unique visitors a month worldwide.
A Taste of Toronto Part 1: Haute Hotels recently ran in Sherman’s Travel.com by a New York-based visiting journalist. Part one of the two-part series focused on the luxury hotel boom in the city with the attendant fine dining options such as The Ritz-Carlton’s TOCA and Thompson Toronto’s Scarpetta. Sherman’s Travel.com is a leading publisher of top travel deals and vacation destination advice, and has 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
Multiple features ran on CheapoAir a website that reaches over 5 million unique visitors monthly. Articles included "Five Unique Foodie Finds in Toronto" "Exploring Toronto's St. Lawrence Market" "Eco-Tourism: Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works" and "Experience EdgeWalk at Toronto's CN Tower."
Torontoland draws attention
TT’s Torontoland holiday campaign is in full festive swing! With 20 artful snowmen strategically installed across the GTA, over 1,000 people have uploaded their photos and triggered $2 donations to Starlight Children’s Foundation. Over 100 member organizations - hotels, restaurants, retailers, attractions and BIAs - are participating in the discount program and SeeTorontoland.com has received 107,000 visits. The campaign has also received media attention including this report on Global News. |
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Motor coach marketplace
A representative from TT’s International Leisure Trade Sales team, together with 26 member companies, was in Windsor from November 5-9 to attend the Ontario Motor Coach Association Tour Operator Marketplace. This annual trade event brings together Ontario and select U.S. Tour Operators for timed appointments with suppliers. During this year’s marketplace, staff met with over 50 trade clients focused on day-trip travellers (seniors) and student and youth and adult group travel, garnering many leads for follow up business opportunities.
Mustique reveals Toronto’s mystique
Buenos Aires-based Mustique featured super model Paula Chavez’s visit to Toronto on the cover and on 20 picturesque pages as a result of a recent visit hosted by TT’s Media Relations team. In addition to the piece, the magazine’s billboard advertising was displayed prominently throughout the streets of Buenos Aires the entire month of October. This stylish publication reaches an upscale readership of 32,000. |
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Cautious optimism prevails at World Travel Market
TT's International Leisure Trade Team, together with eight member companies and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, attended the World Travel Market exhibition held November 7–11 in London, England. As an exhibitor within CTC's Canada Stand, TT held meetings with 40 tour operators, airlines, retail travel agents and journalists to discuss and develop 2012 sales and marketing plans. The economic crisis in Europe has U.K. and European consumers cautious about spending as they continue to seek out added-value offers and wait for last-minute deals. TT is in review of several tactical marketing initiatives with key U.K. trade clients to increase Toronto’s 2012 bookings year round.
Brazilian travel TV
As a result of a recent visit by Brazil-based Globo News Network TV, Pelo Mundo aired a two-part program about Toronto October 28 with more segments on November 4. Globo News TV is a respected news channel in Brazil with a viewership of 15 million. The program Pelo Mundo, whose crew traveled to Toronto supported by Tourism Toronto, is focused on destinations and their interesting attractions.
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| Dates |
Meeting/Group Name |
Attendees |
| Nov 27-30 |
Canadian Cancer Research |
400 |
| Dec 4-5 |
Canadian Nuclear Society |
1,000 |
| Dec 7-11 |
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario |
500 |
| Dec 8-12 |
Canadian Mathematical Society |
400 |
| Jan 24-30 |
Shoppers Drug Mart |
2,200 |
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On November 8, EdgeWalk at the CN Tower was presented with the Guinness World Record for the “Highest External Walk on a Building.” Carey Low, the Guinness World Records® Canadian Representative, presented the certificate to Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of the CN Tower on the EdgeWalk itself, 356m/1,168ft above the ground. |
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ACC a finalist
For the third consecutive year, and the sixth time in its history, the Air Canada Centre is among the finalists for Pollstar's Arena of the Year. Air Canada Centre received its first nomination in 1999 in the Best New Major Concert Venue category and has gone on to be nominated as Arena of the Year in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Toronto hotels, restaurants and spas among Forbes Four-Stars
Forbes Travel Guide has announced its 54th annual Five- and Four-Star Award Winners and among them are several Toronto hotels and restaurants. (The complete list for Ontario is below.) Congratulations to all!
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotels
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Toronto
The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto
Park Hyatt Toronto, Toronto
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Toronto
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Restaurants
Canoe, Toronto
Chiado, Toronto
The Dining Room at Langdon Hall, Cambridge
The Fifth Grill, Toronto
North 44, Toronto
One Restaurant, Toronto
Scaramouche, Toronto
Splendido, Toronto
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spas
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Toronto
Spa at the Hazelton, Toronto
Stillwater Spa, Park Hyatt Toronto
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UPCOMING
EVENTS ACROSS
THE REGION
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WHAT THEY'RE
SAYING |
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"Toronto is a city brimming with culture, passion, and personality. Also home to an emerging foodie scene, the city offers visitors some truly unique opportunities to eat, drink, and be merry." |
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— Travel blogger Michael Hanisco
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MEMBER
TOOLKIT
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TORONTO
INSIDER
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Did you know?
Last year, TT and its members donated $3,800 to the Fort York Food Bank via the Holiday event.
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