As the voice of the Ontario tourism industry, we recognize that in times of uncertainty there is a need for the industry to have access to clear and reliable information.
Our team is closely following the evolving COVID-19 situation and will link to pertinent articles on our website and social media channels, with a focus on validity and relevance to our industry.
Email us with your Coronavirus/COVID-19 updates to feedback@tiaontario.ca
Call us with your updates at 1-888-436-6441 (TOLL FREE)
FEATURED
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ADVOCACY AT BRIEF
Campaign to re-open the US border with Canada
On Tuesday, TIAC launched their campaign to re-open the US border with Canada by calling on the Federal Government to release their plan on when restrictions will be lifted. I was pleased to join Destination Toronto President and CEO, Scott Beck, General Manager of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Peter Doyle, and Executive Director of International Sales and Industry Relations for Hilton, Vito Curalli, in launching the campaign with TIAC President and CEO, Beth Potter.
The press event held outside the CN Tower focused on the importance of American tourists to the Ontario tourism industry and the catastrophic impact COVID-19 has had on our industry. But now, with COVID cases decreasing and vaccination rates increasing, we need to start moving toward a phased and safe reopening plan based on science.
Just last week, the federal government’s Expert Advisory Panel on COVID-19 testing and screening released a report stating that there needs to be changes made to the border policy to reflect the progress we’ve made in vaccinations and fighting the pandemic.
We all know the importance of American visitors to our industry, whether it's in our border towns, cities or to Northern Ontario businesses. But you can’t simply turn the tourism industry on and off like a light switch. We need lead up time to hire and train staff, buy inventory and plan how we can operate efficiently during this recovery period. Whilst the Federal Government has hinted at progress, they have not produced a detailed plan for reopening with key metrics to aid businesses. Yet at the same time, the Federal Government is planning to end key government support programs such as CEWS and CERS in the fall. You can’t withdraw support for our industry whilst giving it little or notice on when the border will reopen.
We all know that the tourism industry was the first to be hit, has been the hardest hit and is likely to be the last to recover. We’ve lost over 100,000 jobs and billions in economic activity. We know that operators and employees face the prospect of yet more uncertainty on customer demand and whether they will have a job this summer. That’s why we need a plan now.
You can add your voice to the call for the Federal Government to announce their plan by visiting www.openuscanborder.ca and send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. Please share this information amongst your own networks so that we can ensure the Federal Government hears our message loud and clear.
Please see below for media coverage of the event.
ESA Advocacy Update
In the most recent TIAO survey, the data we collected highlighted the perfect storm of financial challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses. Up to 90% revenue losses, increased levels of debt and dependency on government support programs to stay in businesses whilst government restrictions and closures remain in place.
It is for these reasons that TIAO worked with our industry partners to send this letter to Minister McNaughton, asking him to extend the temporary changes made to the Employment Standards Act in regarding to severance pay. Since March 1, 2020 the creation of the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) provision has meant that employees would not have been considered to have been constructively dismissed if their hours or wages have substantially changed because of COVID-19.
Specifically, we requested the Minister extend the COVID-19 period under Ontario Regulation 228/20 beyond July 3, 2021 to help small businesses avoid huge termination/severance payouts for the 15- and 35-week temporary layoff period. This wasn’t an easy decision for the Minister, who must also juggle responsibilities to employees, but we were delighted to be informed that the COVID-19 period would be extended to September 25.
You can read more about the ESA extension here.
Extension of the COVID-19 Period
During the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to September 25, 2021):
A non-unionized employee is deemed to be on a job-protected Infectious Disease Emergency Leave under the ESA any time their hours of work are temporarily reduced or temporarily eliminated by their employer for reasons related to COVID-19.
A non-unionized employee is not considered to be laid off under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
A non-unionized employee is not considered to be constructively dismissed under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
Beginning on September 26, 2021:
Non-unionized employees will no longer be deemed to be on infectious disease emergency leave.
The ESA’s regular rules around constructive dismissal will resume. This means a significant reduction or elimination of an employee’s hours of work or wages may be considered a constructive dismissal, even if it was done for reasons related to COVID-19.
The ESA’s regular rules around temporary layoff resume. For practical purposes, a non-unionized employee’s temporary layoff clock resets on September 26, 2021.
Learn more about these COVID-19: Temporary changes to ESA rules or read the regulation (O. Reg. 228/20) here.
Ontario Moving to Stage One of Reopening Plan
Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen includes but is not limited to:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people;
- Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity of the particular room;
- Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households;
- Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions;
- Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;
- Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals;
- Concert venues, theaters and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions;
- Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators; and
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity limits and other restrictions.
- Outdoor tours with restrictions are now permitted.
Please view the regulation for full details.
Related:
2021 ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Join us October 26 & 27 for the tourism industry event of the year - because tourism counts. Whether in person or virtual - we are excited to share that we will be hosting as many people as is safe to do so at this year's summit at the award-winning 4 Diamond Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa.
We will be welcoming tourism professionals from around the province to gather, share, and collaborate as we rebuild Ontario's tourism industry. This year's summit is about RESPECT, COLLABORATION and REBUILDING our future. Join us as we recognize all the innovation, re-embrace the foundation and collaborate together - Google, Deloitte, Canadian Live Music Association, Global Payments are just some highlights of speakers lined up for this year's event.
If you or part of your team would like to join virtually - this option is also available. This year the Summit is back to normal programming with full day but interactive for the in person and virtual audience to network together. Whatever you choose, we are ready - Come.....Join us..... Together.
For more information, and to register for OTS21 please click here.
NOW INTO THE FUTURE: CULTURAL TOURISM IN ONTARIO SYMPOSIUM
Cultural tourism provides unique discoveries and genuine interactions for host communities and visitors alike. On June 16 & 17, Ontario Culture Days is hosting a free symposium that asks: How can we collaborate to highlight Ontario as the arts and culture destination we know it is? As the arts, culture, and tourism sectors look forward to reopening, this symposium presents conversations, keynote presentations, and panel discussions featuring leaders in cultural tourism in Ontario and from outside Canada. TIAO’s President and CEO, Chris Bloore, will join the panel discussion presented on June 16, from 2:45 pm – 3:25 pm.
To learn more about Now, into the Future: Cultural Tourism in Ontario click here.
For free registration click here.
RTO12 REGIONAL TOURISM SUMMIT
The RTO12 Regional Tourism Summit virtual edition will be held on June 24 via Zoom from 9.30am – 1.00pm. RTO 12 will launch the Board-sanctioned and ministry-approved 2021-2022 Business & Operational Plan, which is the foundation for their regional recovery and revival strategy, and which highlights RTO12’s shift to a destination development organization with regenerative tourism principles at its core.
The summit will feature information about ‘the business of tourism’ as a catalyst to resiliency and sustainability for tourism stakeholders and local communities. It will include guest speakers, break-out sessions and more intel that will reinforce RTO !2's organizational commitment to a new ‘region-centric approach’ for the benefit of all, including the Board’s new Vision and Mission Statements. TIAO’s President and CEO, Chris Bloore, will be featured as a guest speaker on June 24, from 11:00 am – 11:30 am.
For more information and to register for the RTO12 Regional Tourism Summit click here.
TIAO GIVES ITS SUPPORT TO THE FASTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN
TIAO has recently joined the Faster Together campaign to help step up vaccination rates across Ontario and Canada.
What is Faster Together?
The Faster Together campaign is a voluntary effort of people and organizations across Canada working to promote COVID-19 vaccine acceptance to help speed up recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign makes digital materials and social shareables, which Faster Together partners disseminate to promote the message that getting vaccinated can bring us all back together faster.
Why is TIAO a partner of Faster Together?
The tourism industry is built on creating personal and shared experiences – memories which cannot be fully captured or replicated by Zoom. Despite the incredible innovation demonstrated by our industry, tourism in Ontario has largely been on pause for the last fifteen months with our businesses enduring revenue losses, layoffs, and job losses. As the hardest hit industry, restarting our tourism industry is directly linked to vaccination rates and case counts. By encouraging everyone to do their part and get vaccinated, Ontario’s tourism and hospitality businesses can begin to restart, recover, and welcome visitors back to rediscover what Ontario has to offer.
TIAO is proud to join Faster Together to help open our doors again, bring people together again, and create shared experiences again. Faster.
To learn more about Faster Together and to join the effort click here.
STAKEHOLDER CALL MINUTES
Thank you to everyone who joined this week's call.
We continue to hold weekly industry stakeholder conference call meetings in order to disseminate information that we have received, address member concerns and share information on our industry consultations and share the latest news from government and our partners.
This week's stakeholders calls provided a weekly industry update. In addition, we were joined by special guest Asif R. Khan, Founder and CEO of GroundLevel Insights Inc. Asif spoke about CANATRACE, a 100% FREE tool to help businesses keep up with the ever changing requirements for employee and guest COVID screening. It was built as their way to help out and give back to other businesses, and since the launch in November over 7,000 businesses across Canada are now using it, with 5,000 of those businesses being located in Ontario.
To learn more and sign up for CANATRACE click here.
You can read the notes from this week here.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR TIAO PROUD MEMBER LOGO?
We value our members and are proud to show you off, which is why we have a special TIAO "Proud Member" logo for your use.
If you are a member and don't have the updated version, please reach out here.
TIAO COMPLIMENTARY 2021 MEMBERSHIP OFFER
When you look back at this same time last year, no one could foresee what a devastating impact the pandemic has had on our industry, on our colleagues, and our families. Throughout this past year, we have worked together, and fought hard for the industry we believe in. The collaboration of the tourism industry has been remarkable.
We asked for you to join us each Tuesday, so that we could share the latest information, and to hear your challenges, opportunities, and questions, so that we could provide answers. You have offered to be on committees, you have attended workshops, and in the most difficult of times, you have shown up. Thank you for sharing how your tourism operation has been impacted. We have heard you, we have advocated for you, and now we are pleased to offer one more way to ease your bottom line, increase your engagement, and provide an even more inclusive message as we represent your voice to the provincial government.
Our members have been incredibly supportive of TIAO, assisting us when we were in need, always willing to be there, and it is our turn to give back. We will be extending:
Complimentary membership to the entire tourism industry in Ontario for 2021.
We look forward to hearing from you, having more input, strengthening our industry’s voices and making sure tourism is represented.
How does this work if I am an existing member of TIAO?
For our current members, we will be reaching out to them directly. They will be provided an option to choose:
- Extend their existing membership by another year or
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Become a Green shoots sponsor - For those members that can afford to pay their membership, we will recognize the value of their existing membership through sponsorship (Green shoots sponsor) and use this value of their membership to continue the research and vital actions to rebuild and represent the industry’s voice to government in Ontario.
How does this work if I want to become a member of TIAO?
We are glad to extend this to the industry. We ask that you reach out to us directly here and we will set up your membership. We will also extend to you the option as we do to our existing members.
- Membership within TIAO for a period of one year from date of signing.
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Become a Green shoots sponsor - For those new members that can afford to pay their membership, we will recognize the value of their membership through sponsorship (Green shoots sponsor) and use this value of their membership to continue the research and vital actions to rebuild and represent the industry’s voice to government in Ontario.
Why Green shoots?
Green shoots is a term used to describe signs of economic recovery or positive data during an economic downturn. The term green shoots is a reference to plant growth and recovery and has been used during down economies to describe signs of similar growth.
Welcome to the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
We are your association, and we are here for you!
SAFE TRAVELS STAMP ADMINISTERED BY TIAO
TIAO has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
Apply here.
See list of successful applicants here.
LE PROGRAMME DE RELANCE DU TOURISME FRANCOPHONE
Nous sommes fiers de soutenir le programme de relance du tourisme francophone, en collaboration avec La Société Économique de l'Ontario et l' Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario. Ce programme est dédié exclusivement aux PME et OSBL touristiques francophones du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario! Afin de soutenir une relance efficace de ce secteur important pour l’économie ontarienne, et contrecarrer les répercussions négatives causées par la pandémie, le Programme de relance du tourisme francophone dans le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario fournira une contribution non remboursable (subvention) pouvant atteindre 20 000 $ pour soutenir les coûts ponctuels d’adaptation et de réouverture des entreprises et des organisations touristiques francophones situées dans le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario, du Nord de Toronto allant jusqu’à Windsor vers l’Ouest, et sera disponible jusqu’au 31 Décembre 2021. Les bénéficiaires devront fournir un montant minimum de 20% aux coûts totaux du projet.
Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant ici.
GOVERNMENT RELEASES
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Ontario Introduces Streamlined Employment Supports
Labour, Training and Skills Development
The Ontario government is making it easier for people to restart their careers and support their families through the creation of an integrated and seamless employment services system. The new system will combine employment programs from social assistance, such as Ontario Works Employment Assistance and Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports, into Employment Ontario. This modernized approach will ensure clients have continued access to the services they rely on while helping them succeed in their search for long-term and sustainable employment.
Ontario Expanding Accelerated Second Dose Booking to More Ontarians Ahead of Schedule
Health
Due to an increasing supply of vaccines, the province is inviting individuals aged 70 and over as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) on or before April 18, 2021, to book an accelerated second dose appointment ahead of schedule.
Ontario Dramatically Ramping Up Delivery of Rapid Test Kits
Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Ontario has now delivered 12.3 million rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19 to over 2,600 work sites across the province. The effort is helping businesses and other organizations keep employees and their families safe by helping keep the virus out of their workplaces.
INDUSTRY NEWS
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Scuttled in April, Room Service Concert Series a go for June and July
Ottawa Business Journal
Bluesfest and Ottawa Tourism delivered a bit of good news Tuesday to music fans craving live entertainment – the Room Service Concert Series is back on.
The four-weekend event will feature a series of live and pre-recorded shows streamed to guests at 20 participating Ottawa hotels. Originally scheduled for April in a bid to kickstart the city’s struggling tourism sector, the shows were postponed after the Ontario government imposed tougher restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Goodbye Quarantine Hotel for Fully Vaccinated Canadians
The Globe and Mail
The Canadian government today said it will allow Canadians coming home to avoid having to use a quarantine hotel. It also is eliminating the mandatory 14-day quarantine for Canadians who drive across the border.
The rules will apply to Canadians and permanent residents who can show they’ve had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and could come into effect in early July if Canada’s COVID-19 situation continues to improve.
Canada eyeing June 22 to begin loosening restrictions at U.S. border
Politico
The mayors of Canadian border cities say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has signaled it could start easing Covid-19 restrictions at the Canada-U.S. frontier on June 22 if the country’s vaccination campaign stays on its current trajectory.
FedDev announces support for local tourism-dependent businesses
Owen Sound - The Sun Times
FedDev Ontario announced $1.2 million in direct support of 100 tourism-dependent businesses in Grey and Simcoe counties Tuesday. Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) will dispense the non-repayable money with up to $20,000 in contributions to support costs associated with adapting and eventually reopening businesses, such as space renovations and retrofits, the purchase of equipment, fixtures and personal protective equipment (PPE), and support for technology and digitization. The fund is being delivered in partnership with Grey County, Barrie, Orillia and Simcoe County.
COVID-19: Pandemic has created regional tourism hotspots as big cities suffer
Orillia Matters
International travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted many travel enthusiasts to explore local and regional tourist destinations. However, communities have been affected very differently from increased numbers of homegrown tourists.
Canadians opting to visit domestic destinations over the past year have contributed to an increase in the share of domestic tourism in total tourism expenditures from 78.4 per cent in 2019 to 92.7 per cent in 2020. But trips made by Canadians in Canada only partially compensated for the losses associated with international tourists, as tourism spending in Canada fell by nearly 50 per cent in 2020 from 2019 levels.
As Canadian destinations reopen, many are looking to LGBTQ travellers as the first group they welcome
The Globe and Mail
Back before any of us knew the word COVID, no one imagined Pride Toronto’s 40th anniversary looking anything like this. But for the second year in a row, the month-long event has gone virtual. And while organizers have created dynamic digital offerings that focus on community, education and celebration, revellers are sure to miss the excitement of in-person public gatherings. The absence of all those events also leaves a gaping hole for businesses throughout the city. In June, 2019, 1.7 million people attended Toronto’s Pride celebrations – with almost 600,000 people coming to the city from out of town – all of which contributed an estimated $374-million to Ontario’s GDP that year.
As the Canadian tourism industry sets out on its long path to recovery from the pandemic, destinations across the country are expecting members from the LGBTQ community to be among the first people they welcome back. In general, as travellers, they tend to be resilient (as witnessed post 9/11 and SARS), eager tourists with a higher disposable income – ideal for businesses needing a quick infusion of tourism dollars.
Downtown Entertainment Precinct agreement approved
City of Hamilton
City Council has approved an agreement that sets the stage for millions of dollars in investment in Hamilton’s downtown core, while saving municipal taxpayers an estimated $155 million over 30 years. The approved Downtown Entertainment Precinct master agreement is a 49-year agreement between the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group L.P. (known as ‘the Precinct Group’). The agreement will see the Precinct Group take over responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the FirstOntario Centre, the FirstOntario Concert Hall and of the Hamilton Convention Centre, for a period of 49 years with no monetary contribution from the City.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Awarded Worldwide Travel Designation
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island announced they have received top designation globally in the travel industry. To amplify their commitment to the industry, Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island sought accreditation through Destinations International – the global trade association for more than 600 destination organizations in 13 countries – to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) seal.
PKED Launches New Culinary Tourism Strategy as part of National Pilot Project
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development
With support from the Canadian Experiences Fund, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) partnered with the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) in an initiative to develop a national culinary tourism strategy. Peterborough & the Kawarthas was selected as one of four destinations in Canada to take part in a culinary tourism strategy development pilot.
In collaboration with municipal and provincial partners, the CTA developed a distinct, context-specific three-year strategy to grow culinary tourism in Peterborough & the Kawarthas in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and a wide range of local stakeholders. Learnings from the pilot projects are being used to develop national guidelines for culinary tourism strategy development in rural and remote destinations to be used throughout Canada.
TIAC & GreenStep Launch the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge
TIAC
GreenStep Solutions and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are excited to announce the launch of the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge. The Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a new initiative that encourages tourism businesses and destinations across Canada, and globally, to commit to measuring and improving their sustainability performance each year between now and 2030.
Developed in Canada by GreenStep, the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge offers a free online assessment and sustainability score, helping tourism businesses and destinations self-assess on a broad range of sustainability criteria.
To learn more and to take the pledge, click here.
5 New Free Learning Resources for Tourism Operators & Destination Partners
TIAC
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has launched the Elevating Canadian Experiences (ECE) program to help tourism stakeholders seize innovative opportunities in culinary tourism and in the winter and shoulder seasons (WSS).
The ECE program was conceived as a series of in-person workshops held in rural and remote areas. But the program launch dovetailed with the pandemic and, like so many organizations, TIAC needed to pivot. And now, TIAC is pleased to announce the ECE content hub, where tourism industry stakeholders can access five new practical tools and resources developed for the program.
Access the free tourism industry tools and strategies at TIAC's ECE content hub here.
New Horseshoe Valley spa set for September opening in 'gem of a spot'
Orillia Matters
Horseshoe Valley is reaching new peaks with the latest activity focusing above the ski hill. The current sale of two timeshare properties on a combined 28 acres to a Toronto-based hospitality and development company brings hopes locally that it will help boost the local tourism industry by adding hotel or other accommodation.
Meanwhile, across the way along the Third Line between the Old Barrie Road and Horseshoe Valley Road, the Finnish-inspired Vettä Nordic Spa, which has been in development for the past few years, has announced a September opening.
Udderly Ridiculous Ice Cream makers to open farm gates to visitors
Newswire
After winning over ice cream lovers and food industry experts with their all-natural alternative to cow dairy, the makers of award-winning Udderly Ridiculous Goat's Milk Ice Cream are inviting lockdown-weary Ontarians to unplug and recharge by experiencing a taste of farm life.
Beginning July 9, Cheryl and Greg Haskett will welcome people to their third-generation Oxford County farm near Bright, Ont. for an Udderly Ridiculous farm tourism experience that's fun, educational and COVID-safe.
Butter tarts to be peddled along North Simcoe trails for adapted cycling festival
Orillia Matters
The pandemic may have broken the chain of Midland's annual butter tart festival, but 2021 looks to be the year where the world famous event gets back on the bike.
On June 12 and 13, the Butter Tart Festival Cycling Tour will allow cyclists to enjoy any of the 15 bakeries set up along the Simcoe County trails connecting Lafontaine, Perkinsfield, Penetanguishene, Midland, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll and Waubaushene. Riders can choose to cycle the shortened 55-kilometre route, which is a mix of road and trail, or instead travel within the 160-kilometre Simcoe County Loop Trail.
COVID-19: Guelph doubles tourism recovery fund to $700K
Global News
The City of Guelph is doubling its COVID-19 tourism recovery fund to $700,000. City council approved the additional funding of $370,000 during a meeting on May 31, which should help tourism-focused organizations and businesses through the pandemic recovery.
Canadian flight prices plummet as airlines use tactic to lure travellers back, expert says
CTVNews
Canadian airlines are offering flights at prices hardly ever seen before, but one expert says there's a strategy behind the deep discounts and that these rock-bottom deal won't stick around for long.
And these deals aren't just for dates during the lockdown. On Air Canada and WestJet's website, the deals appear to go until at least the end of 2021.
The JUNO Awards return to Toronto in 2022 for in-person celebrations
Newswire
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced that the JUNO Awards are coming back to Toronto in 2022 for in-person celebrations. Canada's largest city, renowned for its vibrant arts scene, will once again host the country's most exciting night in music and all JUNO Week festivities. The 51st Annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast live on CBC.
Rogers rebrands 680 NEWS, other Canadian radio stations as CityNews
CityNews
Rogers Sports & Media announced Friday that its news radio stations – including Toronto’s 680 NEWS – will be rebranded under CityNews to “become a powerhouse local news offering in each market.”
The communications and media company says the change is strictly in brand identity only, as loyal listeners will continue to receive the same content from 680 NEWS.
Tourism Windsor Essex Loves Local With New Digital Passport
Tourism Windsor Essex
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island launched the W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport, a program that provides locals and visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about the growing agri-tourism scene in the region, and support local while doing so.
The digital passport guides visitors through the entire region with all the steps to help them create a locally-sourced meal – or purchase one created using locally-sourced ingredients. The 70+ stops include: farms with roadside stands; craft beverage producers; shops, markets and butchers brimming with local produce; restaurants that are sourcing all their ingredients locally.
Tourism Windsor Essex launches staycation guide
WindsorRiteDOTca
Tourism Windsor Essex has launched their annual visitor guide, rebranded as a staycation guide.
The organization says the guide was launched in preparation for businesses planning to reopen under Step 1 of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen plan.
“Future contributions must be suspended”: ACTA, CATO renew calls to reform Ontario’s Comp Fund in light of pandemic
Travel Week
In a year that saw the global grounding of planes, the closure of international borders and a halt on tours and cruises around the world, there’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the travel & tourism sector, across the chain, at all levels. Here in Canada, with little-to-no bookings coming in, over 800 store-front travel agency locations have been forced to close from March 2020 to March 2021, while members of CATO (Canadian Association of Tour Operators) and other tour operators are faced with year-over-year revenue drops of more than 90%, says CATO Chair Brett Walker.
The Project : 101 Experiences
Northeastern Ontario Tourism
More than 25 passionate Northeastern Ontario locals host online workshops as part of the "Ride the Third Wave" campaign. There are currently over 30 experiences available: 27 in English and 8 in French (some are in both languages), hosted by passionate locals from Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores, Timmins, North Bay, Haileybury, Englehart, Black River-Matheson, Kapuskasing and Hearst. 101 Experiences is still reaching out to locals in these communities who have a passion, and also to those who see and value tourism and human potential of their community.
For more information on this program, click here.
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