Pandemic takes $8B toll on Toronto tourism

Breadcrumb Trail Links

1. Toronto & GTA

The Toronto meeting and events industry alone is $ 833 million

Author of the article:

Bryan Passifiume

Release date:

March 04, 2021 • • 48 minutes ago • • 1 minute read • • Join the conversation Jason Priestley waves the green flag to start the Honda Indy in Toronto on Sunday, July 15, 2018. Photo by Frank Gunn /.The Canadian press

Article content

As with many travel destinations around the world, the Toronto tourism industry has been hard hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Data released Thursday by Destination Toronto shows $ 8.35 billion in success due to lost visitor spend – a number that climbs to over $ 14 billion across the GTA.

The city’s retail sector was hardest hit, losing $ 1.67 billion during the pandemic, followed by bars and restaurants with $ 1.3 billion, hotels with $ 1.2 billion, and area attractions with $ 707 million.

The state of emergency declared a year ago essentially stopped the Toronto tourism industry – closing restaurants, closing tourist attractions, restricting visitors outside the country, and canceling high profile events that are considered major tourist attractions, including the Toronto Pride Parade 2020 and 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and Caribbean Carnival in Toronto.

The meetings and events sector, where 463 conferences were canceled during the pandemic – a loss of $ 833 million in that sector alone, said Scott Beck, CEO of Destination Toronto.

Article content

“Simply put, 380,000 attendees didn’t come to Toronto last year,” he said.

“Before the pandemic, Toronto was on a wave of momentum, seeing annual visitor spending growth for over a decade. ”

1. 
   

   Ontario reports 994 new COVID cases, 10 more deaths

2. 
   

   Ontario to give AstraZeneca vaccine to residents aged 60 to 64 years

3. 
   

   Woman went on a shopping spree with COVID rescue funds for previously closed stores

Sporting draws like the Blue Jays, Raptors, Argos and Maple Leafs have either been relocated or spectators have been banned, and the 2020 Honda Indy Toronto has also been canceled – with all eyes on whether conditions will improve in time for this year’s race, which is scheduled for July 9 -11.

“The foundation of our success to date, based on the quality of our city’s experience, gives us confidence in the inevitable recovery of our industry,” said Beck.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On twitter: @ Bryanpassifiume