Latest news with #TIAO
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Destination Toronto plans to open offices in U.K., Germany in effort to boost tourism
A traveler at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2023. Total tourism spending in 2023 is projected to be $1.16 trillion dollars globally, and may surpass even 2019 levels as travellers from China return to the road. Destination Toronto will open offices in the United Kingdom and Germany, in an effort to expand its reach 'with international leisure and business travellers.' In a release on Tuesday, Destination Toronto says opening two new offices in Europe will enable the city to tap into adjacent markets such as Ireland from the U.K., and Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands from Germany. Together, the U.K. and Germany delivered over 220,000 visitors and more than $320M in direct spending to Toronto's visitor economy in 2024. 'Diversifying our international markets has always been a priority—but now it's more critical than ever,' said Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, in the release. 'This is a pivotal moment for Canada on the world stage and Toronto is taking deliberate steps to seize that opportunity and attract more international travellers.' The expansion news comes after a survey from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) showed nearly one-third of Ontario businesses are already seeing fewer bookings from Americans—a crucial market that accounted for nearly 79 per cent of all international visits to Canada last year. 'Certainly, in the first quarter this year, we saw small decline in visitation,' Weir had said in response to the shifting travel trends. 'There was a lot of noise, a lot of uncertainty about trade, around borders, and it just caused a lot of people to pause.' Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is confident Destination Toronto's new offices in the U.K. and Germany will encourage more international visits to the city. 'What draws people to Toronto—and keeps them coming back—is the energy of our neighbourhoods, the diversity of our people, and the richness of experiences we proudly share with the world,' Chow said in Tuesday's release. 'International visitors contribute to the vibrancy and global character that define Toronto, and this is our moment to attract and welcome them in even greater numbers, bringing the benefits of visitor spending to local businesses and residents alike.' Destination Toronto also announced that it will host the annual Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) tourism event in 2026. Last held in Toronto in 2022, RVC brings international buyers and media to host cities to meet with destination and tourism suppliers from across Canada. With files from CTV News Toronto's Jermaine Wilson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Outdoors Notebook: U.S. visitor bookings to Ontario decline, industry survey shows
May 31—TORONTO — Ontario's tourism sector is preparing for a unique summer season shaped by Canadian patriotism, cross-border uncertainty and rising costs, based on results from a new survey conducted by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). In a news release, the TIAO said the survey reveals stable domestic bookings, declining U.S. bookings, shifting consumer habits and increasing costs related to trade and tariffs. The survey, conducted in May, provides a snapshot of industry sentiment as the province heads into peak travel season — and offers early indicators of where the sector is headed — according to the TIAO news release. Among the highlights: * Domestic demand leads: Ontario remains the top source market, with most operators noting booking pace that is either the same or better compared to this time last year. * U.S. visitation slows: 32% of operators report lower bookings from U.S. visitors for summer 2025 vs. last year. * Shorter booking windows: Last-minute booking behavior is on the rise due to cautious consumers. * Cost pressures intensify: 37% of operators cite cost increases due to U.S. tariffs and supply issues; 28% regularly source goods from the U.S. On the web: . onX Fish Midwest, a digital mapping and discovery tool for anglers has expanded into North Dakota, according to an item published on the Fishing Wire online news platform. "North Dakota was an obvious next choice for us," Joel Nelson, onX Fish marketing manager, told the Fishing Wire. "Given the state's year-round angling options for several key species in a host of remote environments, our app helps anglers both understand what's in the lakes and the best ways to get there." To mark the expansion, onX and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) have teamed up to give new customers a free three-month onX Fish Midwest membership for anglers who buy their fishing licenses through the Game and Fish Department's online licensing platform. After making their purchase, anglers will receive a message in their NDGF online account with a free access code to unlock their onX Fish Midwest trial. onX Fish Midwest debuted in Minnesota in early 2024. In addition to Minnesota and North Dakota, the app is currently available in Wisconsin and Michigan, and will continue to expand across the region and nationally, the company said. ST. PAUL — Wildlife researchers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are getting ready to begin the final year of a five-year fawn study, fitting newborn white-tailed deer with GPS-tracking collars in southwest Minnesota. With the aid of a contracted drone pilot, the research team locates fawns that are usually one to five days old in their natural habitat. From there, a team of three to four people navigates to the fawn on foot to locate and capture the fawn. Once captured, researchers measure length, weight and overall health before deploying an ear tag and slipping on an expandable GPS collar that grows with the fawn. The whole capture process is typically completed in about four minutes to minimize stress on the fawn. The team has collared about 100 fawns each year and plans to do so again this year. The GPS collars assist in providing information about fawn survival rates, primary causes of fawn mortality, types of habitats they prefer and long-distance movements. The collars are designed to break away from the deer around 18 months of age, at which time the collar provides an exact geolocation for retrieval. While in use, the collar's attached transmitter alerts the team when a fawn remains stationary for multiple hours straight — indicating the fawn may have died. The alert is helpful for the team to quickly locate the fawn and find clues in case of the animal's death. For updates on this year's effort, follow the Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Facebook page. ST. PAUL — Targeted culling is a management action the Minnesota DNR uses to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease where it is known to exist. In a news release, the DNR said it does not cull deer across a broad area; all efforts are focused within 2 miles of recent positives within the past couple years. All culling is conducted with landowner permission. Nearly 30% of all CWD-positive deer found in Minnesota since 2010 were removed through culling. Targeted culling efforts in the south metro (Deer Permit Area 605) were conducted in February. Efforts also took place during March in Crow Wing County (DPA 604) and near Grand Rapids (DPA 679). In total, these culling efforts within three areas combined resulted in 201 samples, with one result (from the Grand Rapids area) indicating a positive CWD detection. All deer culled are processed by a licensed meat processor and the venison is stored until test results are received. Deer that receive a "not detected" test result are given back to participating landowners or donated to food banks for distribution to local food shelves. All deer that test positive are brought to the University of Minnesota Diagnostic Laboratory for disposal in an alkaline digestor. The DNR website at has more info about targeted culling and CWD test results. ST. PAUL — Does typically give birth to fawns from mid-May to mid-June, which allows fawns time to grow and prepare for the winter. However, people may encounter fawns later in the summer and wonder what caused that. In a news release, the DNR said a doe cycles into estrus every 28 days, and it has been observed in captivity for a doe to go into estrus up to six times a year. The majority of does become pregnant during their first estrus cycle, but if you have ever observed a fawn with spots that was clearly born later in the summer, it is likely a result of a late-bred doe. Some reasons for this include uneven buck-to-doe ratios, a doe having a miscarriage and cycling back into estrus, or fawn females becoming of age and size to be bred. The latter is likely the most common reason in areas with good nutrition. ST. PAUL — The DNR is seeking people with a range of perspectives and experiences, including local fishing guides, local anglers, anglers from across Minnesota, local businesses and local resorts, and water-based businesses, to serve on two fisheries input groups: one for Lake Winnibigoshish and the other for Rainy Lake. The groups work closely with the DNR to provide input on fisheries management activities on these lakes, including any activities that are authorized, licensed, permitted or otherwise regulated or managed by the state. Minnesota residents can apply online through Tuesday, June 24, to serve on the fisheries input groups for Lake Winnibigoshish or Rainy Lake. The DNR supports the groups by supplying information relevant to their discussions, including standard fish population assessments, creel (angler) surveys, status of invasive species or other available information requested by the groups. Detailed committee and application information for each group is available on the Rainy Lake page at and the Lake Winnibigoshish page at .
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Fewer Americans visiting Canada, tourism operators say they're still welcome
American tourists are pulling back from visiting Canada this summer, as political tensions, tariffs and shifting public sentiment seem to cool cross-border travel. But Canadian tourism operators are sending a clear message, U.S. visitors are still welcome here. A new survey from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) shows nearly a third of Ontario tourism operators are reporting fewer bookings from Americans compared to last summer. The decline comes as Canadian patriotism surges in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's 51st state rhetoric, along with a growing trade dispute with the United States and a broader shift in public opinion. 'And that is a bit of a reversal love a trend compared to last year where we saw those numbers growing,' said Chris Siegwart, president and CEO of TIAO. 'There's a couple of reasons why Americans are waiting a little bit right now or haven't booked yet. Certainly, some concerns about the border not only getting to the border or getting reports of some congestion and slow downs at border crossings but also some concerns about feeling welcomed when they arrive. One of the most important things we can do is make sure we reiterate that our American visitors are welcomed and that we value them and that we want to provide them with a great experience.' The slowdown is notable given the role U.S. tourists play in Canada's travel economy. Americans accounted for nearly 79 per cent of international visits to Canada in the third quarter of last year, spending $6.6 billion in that period alone, according to Statistics Canada. But in recent months, travel patterns have shifted. U.S. resident trips to Canada dropped in early 2025, marking the first year-over-year declines since 2021. Some of that may be driven by rising costs and geopolitical friction. Nearly 40 per cent of Ontario operators surveyed said they are feeling the impact of U.S. tariffs and supply issues, and nearly a third rely on American-sourced goods to operate. And while more Canadian are choosing to avoid U.S. travel, that doesn't reflect how most feel about American tourists. 'We have definitely noticed a slow start to tourism here in the ByWard Market,' said vendor Angie Auchterloine, who operates, Funk Your Junk, which transforms items like candy wrappers into items like pencil cases and keychains. 'We want everybody who comes to Ottawa to you're welcome. We did notice some visitors are a little bit hesitant to tell us where they're from when we ask and as soon as they tell us, we're there from, that they're from the United States. We always say welcome. They are great neighbours, and we want them to visit Canada.' And in Quebec, Tourism Eastern Townships is leading a new bilingual ad campaign aimed at reassuring and welcoming American vacationers. The effort, timed to launch just before the peak summer season, features scenic views and warm messaging designed to counter any hesitation south of the border. Plenty of Canadians are also going out of their way to extend a neighbourly hand, saying that while political frustrations may be running high, those feelings don't apply to everyday visitors. 'We came to Ottawa to celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary,' said Diane Peck, who is here with husband, David. The couple are from Plymouth Massachusetts. 'We wanted to spend our vacation money in Canada to show solidarity to the Canadians because we are so embarrassed and humiliated by the way they have been treated by that man (Trump). It's been absolutely wonderful here. The people we have had a chance to talk to, the Canadians at the bars and the pubs and on our wine tour that we took everyone has been terrific.' While domestic tourism holds steady, Siegwart notes Ontario's operators are cautiously optimistic about the season ahead. 'About 20 per cent of our revenues and tourism in Ontario come from US visitors so it is a significant portion of our economy,' he said. 'And we know that American citizens right now are dealing with cost-of-living and everyday costs and there is an advantage to come to Ontario right now with the exchange rate. So, making sure that we are conveying that there's great value to be had in Ontario and not undervaluing what we offer by talking about that price difference, but to encourage them that this is a place where their money can go a bit further. It's in our DNA to be welcoming to Americans, you know, bows up on policy arms as it relates to our relationship relationships and Canadians are fulfilling that call to action.'
CNN
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Canadians are boycotting the US. Are American travelers still welcome in Canada?
The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out. The region's tourist board released a promotional video on May 26 portraying an English-speaking tourist who bashfully admits to being American — then gets a big hug from a French-speaking hotel receptionist. It's part of a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign timed for the start of the summer travel season and aimed at US vacationers. Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, said the video is meant to reassure American visitors that 'they are not only expected this summer, but truly welcome.' If travelers need that encouragement, perhaps it's because amid a trade war and rising tensions some are wondering if it's the right time to visit Canada. 'When our administration starts talking about making Canada the 51st state, I could understand if Canadian border patrol might be giving extra scrutiny to Americans,' said Brian Kirchhoff of Middlebury, Vermont. While he still plans to visit Montreal for next month's Canadian Grand Prix, Kirchhoff worries escalating rhetoric from the White House will have repercussions for Americans traveling abroad. 'I just don't know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold,' he said. Melissa Curtin McDavitt, a Fora Travel adviser in Los Angeles, California, was taken aback when clients cited concerns about politics and cancelled a planned girls getaway to Quebec City, a provincial capital that's among the safest cities in Canada. 'I was shocked,' she said. 'Like, 'are you sure?'' Other US travelers have been taking to social media forums to ask Canadians to weigh in directly. 'We don't want to stir up trouble,' wrote one American on Reddit. 'Is it appropriate for us to visit?' Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), said Canadians working at hotels, resorts and other travel destinations are hearing similar concerns from Americans wondering if they should call off their plans. 'Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions,' Siegwart said. 'Is it going to be seamless to cross the border? Are we really going to be welcome?' Such hesitations could have a big economic impact in Canada, where Americans made up nearly 79% of international visits in the third quarter of last year. US travelers spent $6.6 billion in the same period, according to Canada's national statistics office. 'The US market is a really strong part of the economy,' Siegwart said, noting that as the peak travel season nears, he's concerned by slowing cross-border travel. US resident trips to Canada sagged in both February and March, the first year-over-year monthly decreases since 2021. About a third of TIAO members have reported lower summer-season bookings from American travelers when compared with the same period in 2024, Siegwart said. 'We're concerned about the impacts of the trade dispute on travel plans by our US neighbors,' he said. Like their counterparts in the Eastern Townships, members of the Ontario tourism industry are inviting Americans to visit — and telling them that they'll meet with a warm reception. 'We really are 'arms open' to the world and our US visitors,' Siegwart said, using a tagline that riffs on the 'elbows up' slogan that's a rallying cry for Canadian resistance to Trump's tariffs. 'I've heard of a number of destinations in Ontario planning to really roll out the welcome mat.' In western Canada, a group of tour operators specializing in grizzly bear viewing is launching a 'Hey, Neighbor!' campaign this month, featuring small business owners speaking directly to Americans. 'We've been hearing your questions up here in British Columbia. You're wondering if you're still welcome,' the video begins. 'Come on up. You're always welcome.' Other destinations in Canada are beckoning US travelers with reminders that their budgets go further north of the border. On April 28, Tourisme Montreal launched a 'stretch your dollar' campaign with a real-time ticker tracking the exchange rate between US and Canadian currencies, which is currently very favorable to Americans. 'In Montreal, we're privileged to have ties with the United States that are historical, cultural and geographical. This is just a way to encourage that to continue,' said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois. 'Montrealers are known for being warm, welcoming and open-spirited, which is not going to change.' A skeptic might point out that tourism representatives have a vested interest in convincing Americans that Canadians still want them around. Ad campaigns don't always mirror popular sentiment — and it's clear that events on the national level have sparked widespread anger in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians now see the United States as an 'unfriendly' or 'enemy' country, according to a YouGov poll last month; the same poll found that 61% are boycotting American companies. This winter, Canadian fans at NHL and NBA games took to booing the US national anthem. But surging Canadian pride really isn't hostile to Americans themselves, said Jessica Langer Kapalka, who co-owns Toronto's Canada-themed Grizzly Bar. (Tagline: Canada's most Canadian bar and grill.) 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren't anti-American, we're pro-Canadian,' Kapalka said. At Grizzly Bar, visitors of all nationalities can enjoy Molson lager and elk-topped poutine in a space decked with portraits of Canadian greats from Celine Dion to David Suzuki. Plenty of everyday Canadians say they have no intention of taking out political frustrations on visitors — and some are going the extra mile to be neighborly. In February, Canadian TikToker Tod Maffin posted an open invitation for Americans supportive of Canada to visit his Vancouver Island hometown of Nanaimo. On April 26, some 500 people took him up on it, gathering for group photos with the mayor in Maffeo Sutton Park and nibbling the town's namesake dessert: Nanaimo bars. 'It filled my heart,' Maffin said. 'When it comes to rank-and-file Americans, nothing has changed with the relationship and love and kinship that Canadians feel with the people across the border.' Responses to Americans' anxious social media queries have been largely friendly, too. Echoing a recurrent theme, one poster suggested that Americans come, but be sensitive: 'Lay off the 51st state 'jokes' and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.' In response to the American who asked, on Reddit, if it's 'appropriate' to visit, Blake Smith of Kitchener, Ontario, replied that even Canadians frustrated with US politics don't have a problem with Americans as people. On a recent phone call, he underscored that perspective. 'I think your average person in Canada likes to judge individuals by themselves, on their own merit … not as a deep red MAGA Republican or a blue Democrat,' he said, then weighed in with an invitation of his own. He said he hopes Americans who do decide to vacation in Canada can treat it as a break from current events. In Canada, he noted, it's still considered a bit impolite to talk too much about politics. 'Leave your troubles at home. Turn off the part of your brain that's doom scrolling,' he said. 'Most people here just want to get along.'
CNN
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Canadians are boycotting the US. Are American travelers still welcome in Canada?
The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out. The region's tourist board released a promotional video on May 26 portraying an English-speaking tourist who bashfully admits to being American — then gets a big hug from a French-speaking hotel receptionist. It's part of a CA$150,000 (US$109,000) ad campaign timed for the start of the summer travel season and aimed at US vacationers. Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, said the video is meant to reassure American visitors that 'they are not only expected this summer, but truly welcome.' If travelers need that encouragement, perhaps it's because amid a trade war and rising tensions some are wondering if it's the right time to visit Canada. 'When our administration starts talking about making Canada the 51st state, I could understand if Canadian border patrol might be giving extra scrutiny to Americans,' said Brian Kirchhoff of Middlebury, Vermont. While he still plans to visit Montreal for next month's Canadian Grand Prix, Kirchhoff worries escalating rhetoric from the White House will have repercussions for Americans traveling abroad. 'I just don't know what attitudes are going to be as the situation continues to unfold,' he said. Melissa Curtin McDavitt, a Fora Travel adviser in Los Angeles, California, was taken aback when clients cited concerns about politics and cancelled a planned girls getaway to Quebec City, a provincial capital that's among the safest cities in Canada. 'I was shocked,' she said. 'Like, 'are you sure?'' Other US travelers have been taking to social media forums to ask Canadians to weigh in directly. 'We don't want to stir up trouble,' wrote one American on Reddit. 'Is it appropriate for us to visit?' Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), said Canadians working at hotels, resorts and other travel destinations are hearing similar concerns from Americans wondering if they should call off their plans. 'Our members and operators across the province are fielding these types of questions,' Siegwart said. 'Is it going to be seamless to cross the border? Are we really going to be welcome?' Such hesitations could have a big economic impact in Canada, where Americans made up nearly 79% of international visits in the third quarter of last year. US travelers spent $6.6 billion in the same period, according to Canada's national statistics office. 'The US market is a really strong part of the economy,' Siegwart said, noting that as the peak travel season nears, he's concerned by slowing cross-border travel. US resident trips to Canada sagged in both February and March, the first year-over-year monthly decreases since 2021. About a third of TIAO members have reported lower summer-season bookings from American travelers when compared with the same period in 2024, Siegwart said. 'We're concerned about the impacts of the trade dispute on travel plans by our US neighbors,' he said. Like their counterparts in the Eastern Townships, members of the Ontario tourism industry are inviting Americans to visit — and telling them that they'll meet with a warm reception. 'We really are 'arms open' to the world and our US visitors,' Siegwart said, using a tagline that riffs on the 'elbows up' slogan that's a rallying cry for Canadian resistance to Trump's tariffs. 'I've heard of a number of destinations in Ontario planning to really roll out the welcome mat.' In western Canada, a group of tour operators specializing in grizzly bear viewing is launching a 'Hey, Neighbor!' campaign this month, featuring small business owners speaking directly to Americans. 'We've been hearing your questions up here in British Columbia. You're wondering if you're still welcome,' the video begins. 'Come on up. You're always welcome.' Other destinations in Canada are beckoning US travelers with reminders that their budgets go further north of the border. On April 28, Tourisme Montreal launched a 'stretch your dollar' campaign with a real-time ticker tracking the exchange rate between US and Canadian currencies, which is currently very favorable to Americans. 'In Montreal, we're privileged to have ties with the United States that are historical, cultural and geographical. This is just a way to encourage that to continue,' said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois. 'Montrealers are known for being warm, welcoming and open-spirited, which is not going to change.' A skeptic might point out that tourism representatives have a vested interest in convincing Americans that Canadians still want them around. Ad campaigns don't always mirror popular sentiment — and it's clear that events on the national level have sparked widespread anger in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians now see the United States as an 'unfriendly' or 'enemy' country, according to a YouGov poll last month; the same poll found that 61% are boycotting American companies. This winter, Canadian fans at NHL and NBA games took to booing the US national anthem. But surging Canadian pride really isn't hostile to Americans themselves, said Jessica Langer Kapalka, who co-owns Toronto's Canada-themed Grizzly Bar. (Tagline: Canada's most Canadian bar and grill.) 'We welcome Americans as long as they are respectful of our sovereignty and our culture. We aren't anti-American, we're pro-Canadian,' Kapalka said. At Grizzly Bar, visitors of all nationalities can enjoy Molson lager and elk-topped poutine in a space decked with portraits of Canadian greats from Celine Dion to David Suzuki. Plenty of everyday Canadians say they have no intention of taking out political frustrations on visitors — and some are going the extra mile to be neighborly. In February, Canadian TikToker Tod Maffin posted an open invitation for Americans supportive of Canada to visit his Vancouver Island hometown of Nanaimo. On April 26, some 500 people took him up on it, gathering for group photos with the mayor in Maffeo Sutton Park and nibbling the town's namesake dessert: Nanaimo bars. 'It filled my heart,' Maffin said. 'When it comes to rank-and-file Americans, nothing has changed with the relationship and love and kinship that Canadians feel with the people across the border.' Responses to Americans' anxious social media queries have been largely friendly, too. Echoing a recurrent theme, one poster suggested that Americans come, but be sensitive: 'Lay off the 51st state 'jokes' and you are welcome with open arms. Have fun, enjoy this beautiful country.' In response to the American who asked, on Reddit, if it's 'appropriate' to visit, Blake Smith of Kitchener, Ontario, replied that even Canadians frustrated with US politics don't have a problem with Americans as people. On a recent phone call, he underscored that perspective. 'I think your average person in Canada likes to judge individuals by themselves, on their own merit … not as a deep red MAGA Republican or a blue Democrat,' he said, then weighed in with an invitation of his own. He said he hopes Americans who do decide to vacation in Canada can treat it as a break from current events. In Canada, he noted, it's still considered a bit impolite to talk too much about politics. 'Leave your troubles at home. Turn off the part of your brain that's doom scrolling,' he said. 'Most people here just want to get along.'
