COVID-19 Update
Destination Toronto is working closely with the City of Toronto, Provincial and Federal and other industry partners to actively monitor COVID-19 and the impact on our destination and the visitor economy.
The situation is changing hourly and our industry is having to adjust and adapt as the situation and risk factors evolve.
We stand alongside all of our industry colleagues during what we know is a challenging time.
Health and safety is a top priority for all of us – businesses, government and the public. We encourage partners to make informed decisions about their own policies and procedures.
Below are resources you can use to aide that discussion.
COVID-19 Resources:
Toronto Public Health Government of Ontario Government of Canada World Health Organization Toronto Pearson International Airport Government of Canada – COVID-19 – Being Prepared Government of Canada – Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak CDC- Mass Gatherings Events Industry Council
Travel Advisories:
Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Advisories World Health Organization travel advice
ADVOCACY AND BUSINESS RESOURCES
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario: TIAO resource page Sign up for email updates Follow and share TIAO’s social feeds
Tourism Industry Association of Canada: TIAC COVID-19 website Sign up for email updates Follow and share TIAC’s social feed
Greater Toronto Hotel Association: GTHA COVID-19 website Hotel and lodging advocacy efforts
Hotel Association of Canada: Resource page
Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORMA): Dedicated COVID-19 resource website
Restaurants Canada: COVID-19 resources for foodservice operators
ILEA: Resources and webinars
Events Council: COVID-19 resource page
Government of Canada: Resources for Businesses Work-Sharing for employers experiencing a downturn
City of Toronto: Economic Support and Recovery
The Government of Ontario business support line – 1-888-444-3659
Google Small Business Hub Google has launched the Google Small Business Hub, aimed to help small businesses navigate through uncertainty. It includes resources for: communicating with customers, communicating with employees, working remotely, and modifying advertising (if necessary).
Business Development Bank of Canada: Business continuity plan Support for Entrepreneurs
Destination Toronto COVID-19 WEBINARS
August 18, 2020 EDGE EVENTS: Marketing Now – Building Confidence The global pandemic has reset the rules when it comes to how businesses are approaching their marketing and communication efforts. Join Destination Toronto and a panel of industry experts discussing the latest trends and insights into visitor and resident sentiment, as well as how businesses can adapt their marketing and communications in response to the evolving needs and expectations of customers and delegates. PLUS Destination Toronto will also share an overview of our upcoming marketing campaigns geared towards locals and drive-market visitors and outline.
Presenters and panelists include: Jon Mamela, EVP Marketing and CMO, Destination Toronto Oliver Martin, Partner, Twenty31 Consulting Inc. James Sauter, Partner, Rove Marketing Katie Grey, Strategic Communications Manager, Toronto Zoo Steven Hellmen, Founder, The Foodies Group Juliano Lissoni, Managing Director Canada, MCI
View the research slides View the archived discussion
July 16, 2020 EDGE EVENTS: The Path to Reopening Reshaping the Guest Experience COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we interact with each other and with the world around us. As businesses start to open, the hospitality and tourism industry must now adapt to this reality in a new “hands-off” era. It’s more important than ever to think about how you need to adapt and incorporate new health and safety guidelines, while providing a positive guest and delegate experience with long-term profitability.
Presentation Janet Sellery, Sellery Health + Safety
Panel Discussion: Vito Curalli, Hilton Hotels Lisa Clements, AGO David Hopkins, The Fifteen Group Mike Bartlett, MLSE Ron Pellerine, Metro Toronto Convention Centre Terrence Eta, Toronto Bicycle Tours
View the archived discussion.
June 24, 2020 EDGE EVENTS: Path to Reopening Reengaging Staff and Associates As businesses prepare to bring employees back to work, companies are facing new challenges as a result of COVID-19. Many need clarity in understanding how to proceed and maintain the health and safety of workers. On June 24 Destination Toronto hosted a discussion with three guests speakers on how to best return to the workplace and navigate the new landscape addressing legal responsibilities, labour issues, safety protocols, HR strategies, and privacy concerns.
Panelists: Stuart Rudner, Employment Lawyer, Founder, Rudner Law Adam Morrison, President and CEO, OTEC Philip Mondor, President and CEO, Tourism HR CANADA
View the archived discussion.
May 4, 2020 Destination Toronto and Sussex Strategy Group #2 Governments at all levels continue to introduce new support measures to assist with relief and recovery, providing opportunities for businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. A discussion on the latest support, including the wage subsidy, rent relief, and specific sectoral measures geared for your business.
View the archived discussion on which support is relevant for your business and how you can access it. Download Presentation
April 9 Destination Toronto and Sussex Strategy Group Now more than ever, our industry is in need of support. With the government response unfolding rapidly, it can be a challenge to decipher what support is pertinent to your business from each level of government and what businesses need to do to access those benefits.
View the archived discussion on which support is relevant for your business and how you can access it. Download Presentation
Destination Toronto UPDATES
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Click below to read the most recent email update.
February 26, 2021 1. CaféTO registration begins today 2. Meeting Planners gain insights from home-grown talent 3. Show Love, Get Love meetings campaign continues 4. Live Performance Health & Safety Guidelines approved 5. City extends cancellation of in-person city-led events 6. Province invests in festivals and events 7. SaveHospitality.ca’s LocalLicious now on
February 19, 2021 1. SaveHospitality.ca launches LocalLicious 2. Toronto stay-at-home order extended 3. Beth Potter appointed President & CEO of TIAC 4. COVID hotel quarantine begins Monday 5. Social media round up 6. Upcoming events
February 12, 2021 1. CLMA’s #FortheLoveofLIVE campaign 2. Toronto set to leave stay-at-home orders Feb 22 3. Canada to require negative COVID test at land border 4. Destination Toronto’s social round-up 5. Reminder: Small Business Grant
February 5, 2021 1. Destination Toronto’s Show Love, Get Love meetings campaign 2. City Council approves CafeTO 3. Social round-up: Neighbourhood strolls continue 4. HASCAP applications begin 5. The CLMA’s upcoming #ForTheLoveOfLIVE campaign 6. DoorDash to provide $1 million+ to Canadian restaurants 7. Three virtual events to put on your radar
January 29, 2021 1. New travel restrictions from the Canadian government 2. Mandatory COVID testing at Pearson 3. Federal HASCAP loan program begins accepting applications Monday 4. Reminder: Ontario Small Business Support upcoming webinar 5. Neighbourhood Strolls continue on Destination Toronto’s social
January 22, 2021
1. City report recommends enhanced CaféTO for 2021
2. Local strolls with Toronto ambassadors on social
3. Reminder: Ontario small business support grant portal now open
4. Join the Stay Safe. Stay Home. Save Lives. campaign
5. New report offers insights into reopening for arts organizations
6. OTEC’s new resiliency training workshop series
January 15, 2021 1. Ontario’s stay-at-home order 2. A loss in the community: Chef Scott 3. Ontario’s Small Business Support Grant portal now open 4. Support Toronto restaurants with ToGoToronto.com
December 18 1. Ontario launches consultation on a new policy white paper 2. Remembering Charlotte Bell 3. Destination Ontario launches #SupportLocal campaign 4. Hardest Hit Businesses – Send a letter to your MP today
December 11 1. Ontario to permanently allow alcohol with food delivery & takeout 2. Supporting the culinary community with ToGoToronto this holiday season 3. ShowLoveTO partner grant application deadline today 4. Government update
December 4 1. Toronto hospitality businesses give back for the holidays 2. Ontario invests $4.4 million in support of festivals and events 3. Federal government economic statement includes sectoral support 4. Toronto named second-fastest rising global city
November 27 1. Ontario proposes cap on delivery fees 2. Hardest Hit Businesses survey closes today 3. CurbTO returns for Toronto businesses 4. ShowLoveTO program grant available 5. Toronto businesses innovate for the holidays 6. PPE grant available for small businesses
November 20 1. Toronto moves into lockdown on Monday 2. New study supports alternative to 14-day quarantine for international travellers 3. PPE grant available for small businesses 4. Toronto named top tech city in Canada 5. TIAC hosts first virtual Tourism Congress 6. Government updates
November 13 1. Destination Toronto re-books 60% of major meetings cancelled due to pandemic 2. City of Toronto implements additional COVID-19 public health measures 3. ToGoToronto now showcasing heated patios 4. Let us know about changes to your business 5. #Lights-On Venue Re-opening Guide 6. Restaurants Canada guide for the 2nd wave
November 6 1. 2020 Ontario Budget announcement 2. Ontario releases new COVID response framework 3. Winter CaféTO announcement 4. Let us know about news or changes within your business 5. Support the culinary community with ToGoToronto 6. Student placement opportunity
October 30 1. Minister MacLeod announces tourism sector strategy 2. Wrapping up WRLDCTY Festival 3. ToGoToronto surpasses 4,000 leads 4. TIAO hosts Ontario Tourism Summit 5. Social media round up 6. Government updates
October 23 1. Toronto headlines day 2 of WRLDCTY Festival 2. Supporting Toronto’s culinary community with ToGoToronto.com 3. Government updates 4. Upcoming virtual events
October 16 1. Supporting Toronto’s culinary community with ToGoToronto.com 2. Register for WRLD CTY Festival today 3. Province provides support for restaurant industry 4. Upcoming virtual events
October 10 1. New restrictions in place for Toronto 2. Destination Toronto to reactivate ToGoToronto website 3. Canadian government announce emergency rent subsidy 4. Ontario invests $9 million in safe local events and festival 5. Register for two upcoming virtual events
October 2 1. Join the #StaySafeTO campaign 2. Download and display COVID-19 safety posters 3. Apply for the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp 4. Government update: COVID-19 restrictions
September 25 1. Highlighting guest safety in the hospitality industry 2. DineOutTO.com is now live! 3. Toronto named one of six hosts cities for WRLD CTY 4. Government update: New last call for bars and restaurants announced
September 18 1. Register your restaurant for DineOutTO 2. Participate in the City of Toronto’s ShowLoveTO campaign 3. New Toronto Sign unveiled 4. Ontario reduces capacity limits in Toronto, Peel and Ottawa
September 11 1. Submit your fall event to our calendar of events 2. Important survey from TIAO 3. September 22: Day of Visibility for the live event community 4. Apply for the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp 5. City of Toronto allows portable heaters for CaféTO patios
September 4 1. New insights from Canadian meeting planners 2. Submit your event to Destination Toronto’s Calendar of Events 3. Apply for the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp 4. Ontario extends support for employers and employees affected by COVID-19
August 28 1. Ontario expands indoor capacity for meetings and events 2. Destination Toronto collaborations continue 3. Restaurants can now apply for capacity exemption 4. Restrictions ease for collecting dining information
August 21 1. Marketing during recovery – 5 things to know 2. Collaborate with Destination Toronto 3. City of Toronto invests in live music 4. Toronto now accepting request for capacity exemptions 5. CERB, state of emergency extended
August 7 1. Minister announces funding for tourism 2. New date: EDGE Event webinar 3. Destination Toronto collaborations continue 4. CERB to be transitioned to EI
July 31 1. Stage 3 starts today 2. Register for the next Path to Reopening webinar 3. CMF emergency support deadline
July 24 1. Join Air Canada and discover what it’s like to fly in 2020 2. This week’s Destination Toronto collaborations 3. Save-the-date for the next EDGE Event 4. City of Toronto business support resources 5. CEWS extended
July 17 1. Reopening resources in advance of Stage 3 2. Toronto announced as NHL Hub City 3. Reminder: Register patio today 4. Collaborate with Destination Toronto 5. TIAO Survey 7 6. US Border remains closed until Aug 21
July 10 1. To Go Toronto introduces patio dining options 2. Destination Toronto Instagram collaborations 3. Register for the next EDGE event 4. TIAC advocacy survey 5. Canadian Heritage releases cultural funding
July 3 1. CaféTO launches in the city 2. Masks made mandatory indoors in Toronto 3. EDGE Event invite 4. Foreign travel ban extended
June 26 1. Minister MacLeod makes formal funding announcement 2. Toronto opens as part of Stage 2 across Ontario 3. EDGE Event Recap: Reengaging Staff and Associates 4. What’s open in Toronto right now guide 5. CafeTO accepting applications
June 19 1. Register for the next Destination Toronto webinar 2. Collision from Home next week 3. Federal update 4. Canada’s best restaurants and bars released
June 12 1. Announcing our new name – Destination Toronto 2. Recapping the AGM 3. New EDGE Event Series announced 4. City of Toronto recovery survey 5. TIAO Survey 6.0 6. Ontario.Live now accepting applications 7. Ontario enters Stage 2
June 5 1. Federal government invests in tourism recovery efforts 2. #HospitalityStrong initiative returns Monday 3. Reminder: Destination Toronto’s Virtual AGM next week 4. World Travel & Tourism Council Protocols 5. City to allow bars and restaurant patio expansion
May 22, 2020 1. Support Tourism Week 2. To Go Toronto gains traction 3. Canadian government expands worker and business support 4. Applications open Monday for commercial rent assistance program 5. Ontario extends emergency orders 6. U.S. border remains closed for 30 more days
May 15, 2020 1. TIAO survey 5.0 now open 2. Ontario to begin opening economy 3. Reminder: Save-the-date for our AGM 4. FedDev Ontario now accepting applications 5. Wage subsidy extended until end of August
May 8, 2020 1. #HospitalityStrong campaign returns this Monday 2. Federal government announces arts, culture, heritage and sport funding 3. Recapping our 2nd government support webinar 4. Retail stores allowed to operate curbside starting Monday 5. Upcoming webinar for tourism workplace safety 6. Federal wage subsidy extended
May 1, 2020
1. Special message from Destination Toronto Board of Directors
2. Register for our next webinar today
3. Ontario releases guiding principles for reopening
4. Sectoral health and safety guidelines released
5. TIAO offers complimentary membership
April 24, 2020 1. Rent relief program announced 2. TIAO survey now open 3. City launches BusinessTO Support Centre 4. Destination Toronto launches At Home with Toronto 5. To Go Toronto hits 10,000 restaurant referrals
April 17, 2020 1. To Go Toronto launches across the city 2. Toronto is #HospitalityStrong 3. Government action this week
April 9, 2020
1. Join #HospitalityStrong
2. Introducing To Go Toronto
3. Destination Toronto webinar
4. New government COVID-19 action
April 3, 2020 1. A note from Scott Beck 2. Reminder: Complete the new TIAO survey 3. Federal support for businesses and employees update 4. New public measures to combat COVID-19
March 27, 2020 1. New COVID-19 government action 2. New business resources and advocacy 3. New Destination Toronto developments
March 20 2020 1. TIAO industry survey2. Industry support
3. What you can do now 4. What Destination Toronto is doing