Toronto Celebrates Third-Annual Green Festival.

Want to learn about what Toronto is doing about Green Initiatives? How about preview what the city has to offer? 

 

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”.

Toronto Tourism Spending Jumps, Statistics Canada Reports.

Strong branding initiatives, increased overall Toronto activities and increased expenditures gives off positive results in Toronto’s Tourism.  Toronto’s Marketing and Communications have spend a great deal of money and efforts into making Toronto the #1 Hot Spot for vacations and travel excursions.  The objective is to increase the amount of traffic from the United States and its surrounding boundaries.  Statistics Canada has reported its quarterly results for 2007, highlights below.

Toronto Star reports that Canadian tourism spending advanced 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2007 as contributed by both Canadians and non-residents visiting Canada has increased.  Statistics Canada states that it was the fastest quarterly pace set in 2007 and spending has reached $70.6 billion in 2007. 

Canadians spent 1.6% more on tourism in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2007, bringing growth for the year to 6.7%.  Canadians have increased their travel outside Canada during the fourth quarter as outbound trips jumped 9%.

The impact of these increases shows that Toronto’s Tourism is continuing to grow.  With many of the activities in town and branding initiatives has helped increased Ontario and Toronto’s reputation in the Tourism industry.  Our dollar has had a huge impact and has decreased visitors from crossing the border.  Still, Toronto remains a hot spot.  With the help of advertising efforts and increased support from Toronto’s business clusters, we can continue to grow and increase more numbers for the next year. 

Toronto Tourism “Mall Crawl”.

One of the most popular question that tourists always ask is, “Where can we go shopping?”.  Toronto’s Eaton Centre, located at the heart of downtown Toronto, is the number one tourist shopping mall attraction along with Cadillac Fairview’s Yorkdale Mall, Vaughn Mills, and Square One.  These shopping centres is Toronto’s hot spots where tourists shop til they drop!  

  

Toronto’s shopping malls play an important role in Toronto’s Tourism Cluster.  They garner remarkable revenues each year from tourists alone and including Torontonians and Ontarians.  It plays an important role also in the economy and in the Travel and Tourism industry.  The city goes above and beyond for those who do not have the time to shop.  Inside Toronto Shopping Ltd. steps up to the plate and offers visitors a service that is cutomized and tailored to their preferences.  It’s a personalized tour of what the city has to offer! 

For more information, check out Toronto Tourism News.

Toronto Ranks #6 “Greenest” among North American Cities.

Toronto was ranked 6th greenest among North American Cities, Toronto Tourism states on a press release.  Green initiatives is one of the most significant and challenging issues we currently face.  As a responsible city, Toronto has taken green trends into consideration to make Toronto a better and a cleaner place to live in. Tourists have commented on Toronto’s initiatives on going green and how “clean” the city is compared to most in North America.

Toronto is an inspiring setting for “green” meetings and conventions. From a windmill in the heart of the city to green roof projects, the people and businesses of Toronto are committed to environmental responsibility. Moreover, the City of Toronto has organized events in hosting green conferences and coventions.  The following list below are Toronto’s Green Meeting facilities:

Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Direct Energy Centre
Toronto Congress Centre
International Centre
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Sheraton Centre Toronto

Toronto embraces ‘Going Green’ initiatives which helps people understand that Toronto cares about the environment.  Tourists who visit our city and our country will know that we, as citizens participate in making our world a better place to live in.  This will help increase awareness and hope to encourage others to take action.  Tourists can enjoy the clean, sleek and green initiatives and leave a mark in their minds.

For more information, contact For more information contact:

Sousie Tsotskos
Manager, Media Relations
Tourism Toronto
(416) 987-1736

‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’ Rocks Toronto!

Into plays or musicals? Ever wonder what “We Will Rock You” looks like on stage? Or how about “Dirty Dancing”? Now you can!  Not only do tourists can shop, sight-see, or experience Toronto in one package, Mirvish.com, part of Toronto’s Musical/Play destination and part of the GTA Music Cluster, offers entertainment value and experience! It’s your last chance to see two popular shows so why not take advantage!

*Image taken from torontotourism.com 

March 14, 2007 To May 11, 2008
Canon Theatre presents We Will Rock You.

244 Victoria St.

“Pure bohemian rhapsody in this Canadian premiere of award-winning playwright Ben Elton’s world-wide smash hit. The beloved, timeless music of Queen tells the story of a world a few steps into the future, where globalization has rendered us all safe, happy and homogenized – every one of us living by the rule of giant corporations. Yet beneath the gleaming façade of contemporary society lurks a subculture of people composing the soundtrack of a rebellion.”

October 31, 2007 To September 28, 2008
Royal Alexandra Theatre presents Dirty Dancing.

“That was before President Kennedy got shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn’t wait to join the Peace Corps and when I thought I’d never find me a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman’s.” With more than twenty brand new scenes written especially for the stage, this is the season you’ll go back – carrying watermelons.

Musicals and plays is just one of Toronto’s “things to do list”.  Families, friends, couples are just a few of the people that attend these events, highlighting musical’s and play’s role in Toronto’s Tourism.

Check back often to see what else this city has to offer you!

A Wee Bit of Scotland. Toronto ‘08.

 

 Toronto’s Tourism Cluster embraces multiculturalism within the GTA.  It supports traditions nationwide emphasizing city objective of connecting people and introducing cultural differences.  One of the cultures that will be showcased this year is the city of Scotland.  Toronto invites all to join “Visit Scotland” for a celebration of Scotland at First Canadian Place in Toronto from March 25-28.  The organizers get ready to celebrate Scottish culture and showcase ‘Homecoming Scotland 2009’.  Event experts are ready to assist Canadians and other potential individuals for travel information including hotel accommodations, fun to-do activities around the city etc.

Visit Scotland features whisky tasting and real live clan chiefs for meet and greets.  Moreover, the Finlay MacDonald Band, a popular band from Scotland has traveled from their home town to play for this free event.  This is an opportunity for Torontonians and other individuals to learn about the Scottish culture.  Moreover, it would bring Canadians from all over the province together to connect and learn.  The GTA always have activities for all – a city not only for opportunities but for fun and excitement.

For more information, visit www.cometoscotland.ca/weebitofscotland.html.

Ontario: There’s No Place Like This. Branding Initiative.

The Ontario branding campaign initiative created and developed by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership to increase tourist traffic in Ontario including Toronto, Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding borders is effective and entertaining.  The Government of Ontario and Canada has developed a marketing strategy to increase Toronto’s tourism through the use of television advertising through celebrity endorsements.  The campaign’s message is to “Encourage Ontarians to explore and rediscover all that Ontario has to offer”.

One of the most recent television ad’s that is currently being aired on the Canadian Television Broadcasting System is artist Alex J. Robinson.  This Sudbury Ontario native has compiled some impressive credentials and was selected by Ontario Tourism Marketing to brand Ontario.  Press play above to check out her Ontario television ad!

Brought to you by Ontario Travel. *Powered by YouTube.

This advertisement has been featured in many television stations including Toronto’s own City TV, Global, CTV, MuchMusic and CBC.  One of the first Ontario commercial ads featured on television and in the movie theatres is Ontario’s one and only Keshia Chante.  Nineteen year old Keshia Chante’s tremedous talent and tireless commitment to her music has earned her a critical spot to endorse Ontario as part of it’s brand campaign.  Check out her commercial by pressing play above!

Brought to you by Ontario Travel. *Powered by YouTube.

Welcome to Toronto!

:: Toronto Recap ::

“Welcoming over 18 million visitors annually, Toronto is the focal point for a country that ranks among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations. Close to the lucrative U.S. market, within easy reach of Niagara Falls and Ontario’s spectacular northern wilderness, this bold, dynamic city offers superb attractions and events backed by the best convention and sports facilities in Canada. A critical mass of success stories benefiting visitors and investors alike – plus more great landmarks in the works – make Toronto tourism a very smart investment for the 21st century.” (City of Toronto)

  

*Images taken from toronto.ca

Fast Facts

• Toronto is Canada’s top tourist destination attracting 18 million visitors annually. Some 150 million North Americans, eager for new diversions, live within a day’s drive.
• Direct spending by visitors of $3.9 billion in 2004 contributed about $2.9 billion to Toronto’s GDP.
• Toronto’s tourism sector includes over 24,000 businesses and employs 203,000 people within sports and entertainment, transportation and sightseeing, cultural attractions, gaming, restaurants, night clubs and accommodations.
• Toronto’s 2.6 million residents are young, well educated, hard-working and cosmopolitan, reflecting a cultural diversity and viability unlike any other North American city.
• With more than 35,000 hotel rooms (and counting), Toronto offers a full range of quality accommodations. State-of-the-art convention and meeting facilities, ranked among North America’s top 10, attract more than 1 million delegates and over $900 million in spending.
• Attractions include museums and galleries that host world-class exhibitions; special events, from Caribana to Gay Pride Week to the Toronto International Film Festival; major-league sports franchises such as the Argonauts (CFL), Maple Leafs (NHL), Blue Jays (MLB) and Raptors (NBA); performing arts spectacles, from classical concerts at Roy Thomson Hall to acclaimed theatrical productions.

* * *

One of the world’s leading tourism companies are located in Toronto including the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Four Season Hotels.  These two hotels are Toronto’s two most well-known accomodations from tourists world wide.  Located at the heart of Downtown Toronto, both hotels feature some of the most luxurious and provide superior customer service to ensure your stay is fun and fullfiling.  Moreover, these hotels bring in many people from all over the world including parts of Europe, South America and United States.  They are part of Toronto’s Tourism cluster where they contribute exceptional experience to tourists all over the world. For more information, click on the two hotels below and plan your spot in Toronto!

   

For more information on Toronto Tourism, please click on the link below to download a Toronto Brochure, brought to you by Toronto Tourism.

Toronto Tourism Brochure

Toronto’s Tourism Cluster Weblog!

Welcome to Toronto’s Tourism Hot Spot! Toronto’s Tourism Cluster Weblog, at your fingertips!

Toronto is one of the most popular cities in the world!  It’s a worldwide meeting place – a touch of every culture around the world.  This blog is dedicated to Toronto Tourism.  Here you will find my blog topics about Toronto’s Tourism Cluster. This weblog will include postings regarding current news, updates and information about Toronto’s Tourism regarding events, cluster members, support structures, activities and marketing activities, along with information from at least two clusters in other communities that are similar to Toronto’s Tourism Cluster!

Watch out! Toronto, here we go!