“Thanks to a surge of foreign and domestic travelers, mainland tourism is booming as the Olympics near. Ritz-Carlton and Wyndham are riding the wave,” says Dexter Roberts of BusinessWeek.  Although China is preparing for the Olympics this year, there are many controversies due to China’s no human rights acceptance regarding to China’s treatment of Tibet. 

The Toronto Star has asked whether Canada should boycott the Beihjing Olympics to protest China’s Tibet Treatment.  The following are responses to the questions by GTA Locals:

Canada should absolutely boycott the Beijing Olympics. While it would be heartbreaking for the many athletes who have worked very hard to get to the Olympics, as a free and democratic country Canada needs to take a stand against the Chinese government.
Michelle Teixeira, Toronto

To boycott the China Olympics won’t have an impact.
Leslie Tobias, Toronto

Let’s get real. Just how important is a gold bronze or silver medal? While Tibetans are getting bullets in the head we will be over there collecting medals.
Patti Pettigrew, Toronto

I believe that Canada and other nations should boycott the Chinese Olympics, as a sign of protest to the Chinese leaders, not as a reflection on China.
Shawn Goldman, Toronto

Olympics is a universal sports event. It has nothing to do with politics. Let the athletes decide.
Tony Zheng, Toronto

Many talks are happening within the GTA about this issue.  The Olympic games have nothing to do with Chinese politics.  However, it should be emphasized that the beahviour of the Chinese government is unacceptable.  Whether or not Canada should boycott, one can think that it wouldn’t make a difference but to some, it will.

Why all this talk about China’s treatment in Tibet? Will it decrease the amount of tourists who travel from all over the world to see the Olympcs? Or will it hav no impact?  Critics say that this could potentially decrease the traffic flow of tourists entering China to see the games, especially those who don’t support it.  Only after the Olympics, will find out. Not only can it potentially hurt China as a country but more on their position in the Travel and Tourism Industry.

The inspections pertain to questions raised by the Federal Aviation Administration and American safety officials about how a certain bundle of wires is secured to the MD-80 aircraft. Airline spokesman Roger Frizzell said the inspections are technical compliance issues and not related to flight safety.

“We’re apologetic for the issues this is causing customers, Frizzell said. “In some situations these adjustments will take only 15 minutes.” But 15 minutes can potentially upset passengers as they have schedules and duties to perform. 

American stated it would cancel upwards of 500 flights Tuesday with additional cancellations likely Wednesday. By about 6:00 pm, American Airlines had already cancelled 409 flights, according to FlightStats, an independent flight tracking service. By comparison to Monday’s total cancellations, FlightStats reported that American scratched only 108 flights on Tuesday for typical reasons.

This cancellation affects business personnel and tourists from Canada and North America’s international boundaries.  It will cause flight delays and result in decreased traffic in the U.S. Tourism market.  Many people would have to re-schedule and take other means of transportation to make it to their destination.  Moreover, passengers will have a negative perception of the airline and more likely lean to its competitors.

Former provincial finance minister, Greg Sorbara, likens us to having a triple A team when we really need a major league tourism franchise.

Toronto is the main gateway for visitors to the province, representing almost 50 per cent of the market, and there’s no shortage of what this city can do to improve, Sorbara told the Globe and Mail.

Ontario Conservative leader John Tory says the Liberal government is wasting money on the wrong kind of advertising.  “We’re spending far too much money advertising here right now trying to win votes, which is what Mr. McGuinty is doing with feel good ads. We need to be advertising in the States and Europe and all over the world,” said Tory.

Glen Stone with the Toronto Board of Trade agrees. He told 680News it’s time for the money to flow on the waterfront, saying only a fraction of what was pledged by all three levels of government has been spent.

“We have a beautiful waterfront. What are we doing with it? Take waterfronts all over the world–they’re beautiful. We’re just ignoring our waterfront. There’s a lot more we could do,” an engineer from South Africa told 680News.

Sorbara noted we have top flight restaurants, and five star hotels are coming soon, but tired attractions like Ontario Place and the waterfront renewal are moving at a snail’s pace.

Sorbara sees a bigger role for the private sector in investing in new attractions.

Major events such as this causes travellers and disappointed fans change their perception about Toronto.  Many fans who come out every summer for races will have to wait until next year. Sources say the event – which may return in 2009 – fell victim this year to a deal signed between the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series. Bottom line, there wasn’t enough room for all the events on both groups’ calendars, and the Toronto Grand Prix was sacrificed for the 2008 racing season.

The Australia Week events across the city of Vancouver this weekend offer Canadians the chance to experience different aspects of Australian culture – whether it’s our food, wine, art, film and entertainment. By ‘taste-testing’ Australia we hope that many more Canadians will be more motivated than ever to want to come and experience Australia first-hand.

Climate is a big factor in driving Canadians’ travel decisions having endured a long cold winter, they’ll be looking forward to some sunshine and time in the outdoors so now is the time to get them thinking about holidaying in Australia.

Events on the G’Day Vancouver: Australia Week 2008 calendar include: The Australia.com OzFlix Film Weekend; the Macquarie Penfolds Wild Tasmania Gala; an Aussie Travel Expo; the Surf’s Up! Sydney Foam Party: and the launch of a three-month long exhibition – Planet OZ: Walk on Australia’s Wild Side – featuring Australia’s amazing and unique wildlife, at Vancouver’s Science World.

The Aussie Travel Expo on the weekend will assist Canadians wanting to research their next Australian holiday with Australian travel experts and entertainment on-hand to bring them one step closer to booking a trip to Australia.

A great country to visit, explore and connect!

Washington Post reports that Canadians must now present proof of identity and citizenship to enter the United States.  United States officials will no longer allow Americans or Canadians to enter or re-enter the country by presenting a driver’s license or declaring their citizenship.  Traffic in-ward and out-bound will occur and travellers must expect delays and backups along the U.S.-Canada border (Recorded 72 million crossings in 2007).

This was imposed due to September 11 attacks by the Department of Homeland Security.  Travellers must have a valid passport, I.D. and proof of citizenship.  The U.S. government want to take the necessary steps and proper precaution for better security in future attack by foreign intruders. 

Security is always an important factor when it comes to crossing the Canada-United States border.  Due to increased terrorists attacks, the U.S. government has taken proper precautions and consideration into securing the boundary.  Canadians must have proper proof of ID and a valid passport.  Tourists should expect delays when coming in or out of both countries.  This results irritation and will upset travellers due to strict security.  This might affect traffic and may result in decreased travellers coming into Canada affecting its place in the travel and tourism market.

For further information, visit the Washington Post or click on the link below.

I.D. Rules to Change for Canada Crossings

For Statistics regarding travel between Canada and the United States, please click on the link below.

Travel Between Canada & Other Countries

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is the first building of its kind in Canada; a theatre built specifically for opera and ballet performances with the finest level of acoustics. The contemporary expression of traditional horseshoe-shaped auditorium provides unparalleled intimacy between the audience and the stage with every seat computer-tested for the best possible sightlines.

Full, rear and side stages, along with generous dressing rooms and wardrobe storage allow three complete productions to play in repertory. A large, flexible orchestra pit allows for the presentation of the full range of operatic repertoire, from chamber pieces by Mozart and Handel, to some of the monumental 19th- and 20th-century works, such as Wagner’s Ring Cycle, which require an orchestra of over 100 musicians.

Designed by the award-winning Toronto-based firm Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc., the Four Seasons Centre is the permanent home of the Canadian Opera Company and the performance venue for the National Ballet of Canada.  Both of them are associated with the GTA’s Music Cluster which help attract Opera lovers from the United States and overseas.  It contributes to our Tourism cluster as they help increase Toronto’s reputation in the travel market.

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

Discover the first two permanent galleries of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs and the Gallery of the Age of Mammals. Together, these awe-inspiring, light-filled new galleries occupy the entire Level 2 of the Lee-Chin Crystal. The prism-shaped galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs and Age of Mammals boast 18-foot high ceilings to accommodate over 750 of the Museum’s tallest specimens.

The Royal Ontario Museum’s Associate Curator, David Evans introduces the new Barosaurus as it is being installed in the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs. Discover how it was found and what makes this skeleton so unique to the collection.

 Check out the dino’s before they take off! Visit the Royal Ontario Museum before it’s too late! 

Another attraction Toronto has to offer!

Brought to you by ROM. *Powered by YouTube.

To celebrate Toronto’s green efforts, the city has annonced Toronto’s third-annual green festival.  Click here to preview the festival’s 2008 Exhibitors.  Check out the 2008 Green Toronto Festival – celebrating our great, green city this coming May 23-24.  This year’s Green Toronto Festival will transform and take over Yonge-Dundas Square into a celebration of all things green. 

Friday, May 23rd is Kid’s Day 

Fun activities for kids and teachers! The Festival has become a highly-anticipated event for students
and teachers who are looking for an educational and fun environmental event. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday’s activities
will include interactive exhibits; live shows by Chris McKhool; buskers and face painting; locally grown food; and much more!

Saturday, May 24th is a car-free fun for everyone!

From 11 a.m. till 8 p.m., we’ll be closing down Yonge Street so visitors can listen to the live bands & special guest speakers, all in a car-free environment!

What’s in it for you?  You can stroll through more than 100 exhibitors of green products and services, sample some locally grown food and enjoy live bands and guest speakers, all in a car free environment.  Yonge Street will be closed to traffic from Dundas to Queen. 

It’s a great way to get people together, connect, network and witness what Toronto has done to respect the environment.  Connecting to businesses, people and the environment is one objective that Toronto has fullfiled.  Join Toronto and celebrate its third-annual green festival this year and support “Going Green”.