The city of Toronto is anticipating a surge in luxury travellers following a string of new hotel openings in the last year. The Canadian city, which has traditionally targeted the friends and family or business markets, is now hoping a new kind of traveller will hit its streets after Le Germain, Thompson and Ritz-Carlton opened properties. “It [the boom] started last November with Le Germain opening its second property and the fact this company is based in Quebec and they’re banking on two hotels in Toronto is huge for us,” Michelle Simpson, media relations manager at Toronto Tourism told Travel Daily. “The other hotel has been opened for seven years so opening a second shows they have confidence that the product and clientele is in Toronto.” There will also be more first-entry product in the shape of a Trump hotel in the city next year, as well as Shangri-La. It is expected that the openings will continue to keep the city’s occupancy levels at an average of 89%. Simpson added that the high-end hotels had already made a shift in traveller habits to the city as it overcomes its view as a stop-over destination. “In the past it was unheard of for people to fly over for a four night stay, but they are doing it now,” she explained. “The average stay from the UK is six nights but that’s probably combined with Niagara Falls and Montreal and there are great packages with airlines now. We regularly market Toronto with Niagara Falls as we know the two co-exist.” She hoped Toronto could also continue its double-digit growth in tourism arrivals from the UK following several high-profile events in the country. “Canada has been lucky to have the Olympics that generated awareness and the G20 which raised our profile. I hope the Royals visit will bring attention to Canada and we look forward to seeing where that takes us, the world is our oyster,” she said. Meanwhile the city is also gearing up for the opening of the Edgewalk at the CN Tower. The hands-free (but harnessed) walk will open on 1 August and is already said to have generated a lot of interest. “Bookings are going really well and from all over the world,” said Irene Knight, marketing manager at the CN Tower. “In the last 35 years we have had a legacy of innovation so we’ve continued to keep it fresh and exciting such as outside elevators and a new lighting system.”
You might also like
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Close
Sign in
Recover your password.
A password will be e-mailed to you.
- LOGIN / SIGN UP
- NEWS
- MARKETS
- SECTORS
- FEATURES
- Partner articles
- Airlines / Airports
- Car Rental
- Conferences
- Cruising (Ocean)
- Cruising (River)
- Destination Management (DMC)
- GDS / CRS
- Hotels & Resorts
- Hotel Management Company
- Hotel Technology
- HR / Appointments
- Insurance
- Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE)
- Travel Agents (all)
- Travel Technology
- Tourism Boards
- Interviews
- Industry appointments
- Travel Bloggers
- Podcasts – Features
- Partner articles
- EVENTS
- JOBS
- TRAVEL GUIDES
- Destination NaJomtien BanAmphur BangSaray *NEW*
- จุดหมายปลายทาง นาจอมเทียน หาดบ้านอำเภอ บางเสร่ *NEW*
- South Australia Reward Wonders *NEW*
- Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions
- Encore Tickets (Chinese Guide)
- Affordable Luxury in Thailand by Centara Hotels
- Rising Above the Oridinary by Conrad Bangkok
- The Best of Thailand
- IWTA SERIES
- IWTA AWARDS
Comments are closed.