City Hall may designate entire city as official tourism area

[JasonParis]

City Hall is considering designating all of Toronto as an official tourism area, which would allow stores throughout the city to remain open almost every day of the year.

City Hall may designate entire city as official tourism area
National Post
Chris Wattie

The city is holding a public meeting tonight to allow residents and business owners to comment on the proposal, a recommendation made by economic development officials.

If the measure is approved, it would allow retail businesses within the city’s boundaries to remain open on every statutory holiday but Christmas, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“Designating the city a tourism area recognizes that Toronto is the most significant tourist destination in Canada,†the city’s economic development and tourism department said in a news release yesterday. “Permitting shopping throughout the city on statutory holidays encourages tourists to fully explore all neighbourhoods to enjoy shopping, dining and attractions.â€

The department said the recommendation was based on “feedback received.†The proposal will go before the city’s economic development committee next month and to the full city council in March.

The public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

Photo of Queen Street West shoppers by Peter J. Thompson for National Post

 

[wyliepoon]

It's certainly a good thing for everybody... businesses, tourists, and especially us locals, who will now have more time to explore our own city.

In fact, I think that Toronto businesses, especially those downtown, should extend their opening hours late into the night, including on holidays. On my recent trip to Hong Kong (and on past trips there), I'm always amazed at seeing all major shopping districts packed with people and all the stores and restaurants opened at 11pm or midnight, even on holidays (including Christmas). With the increasing popularity of nighttime shopping (especially at big-box stores like Walmart and T&T), perhaps it's time for retailers downtown to think about keeping their stores open just a bit longer at night.

 

[junctionist]

It might encourage BIAs in different neighbourhoods to make certain improvements to market themselves as a tourist destination. It's not like the changes will be overnight, but at least the potential will be there. This measure will most likely be approved.

 

[junctionist]

Now suburbia wants in on the tourist zone

Plan to declare Toronto one giant tourism zone attracts concern
January 17, 2008, 8:56 PM by Barry Hertz

A plan to declare all of Toronto one giant tourism zone, allowing stores throughout the city to remain open almost year-round, is attracting the envy of neighbouring municipalities.

The Post's Chris Wattie and Ashley Spegel report:
If the proposal is adopted by the city’s economic development committee next month, and eventually approved by city council, it would mean all of Toronto’s retail outlets will be able to remain open on statutory holidays, except on Christmas Day.

At a public meeting at Toronto City Hall last night, some speakers expressed concern the plan could hurt businesses in the suburbs that border Toronto.

“Mississauga and Pickering won’t sit back and watch Toronto take all the business,†said Ed Lincz, director of retail for Eastern Canada for Morguard Investments, Ltd., a real estate company that owns plazas in Mississauga, Woodbridge and other Ontario cities.“If this law is approved it is going to effect the rest of the province.â€

Mississauga politicians are worried that Toronto’s plan, which would allow stores to open between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on holidays, would put their city at a disadvantage in attracting tourists and their all-important shopping dollars.

Carolyn Parrish, a Mississauga councillor, has reportedly called the proposal to allow Toronto stores to open on statutory holidays “a serious problem†for local businesses.

If stores and malls in neighbouring Toronto are open when Mississauga outlets are not, valuable tourist shopping dollars could flow into the bigger city. Ms. Parrish is asking Peel Region councillors to consider adopting measures like those being contemplated by Toronto.

But there is a catch: Toronto’s neighbours must ask the provincial government to approve any such changes. Under the new City of Toronto Act, which went into effect last year, the city has the power to govern hours of operation for its retail businesses.

Mayor Hazel McCallion, of Mississauga, has promised to lobby the province for similar powers. Duncan Ross, the director of tourism for the city, said the last option is being recommended to the economic development committee because it will level the playing field for all businesses in the city.

“We’re adding some clarity to what is now a confusing situation,†he said. “What’s open on a statutory holiday depends on what kind of business it is and where it is.â€

“We want a made-in-Toronto solution to resolve this in the best interests of retailers big and small.†The city’s tourism department has put forward three proposals on how to deal with the question of stores remaining open on holidays: the status quo, meaning that only retail stores in the existing tourism zones can open; making only the city’s downtown core a zone; and extending the zone to cover the entire city.

Mr. Ross said tourism officials had already sounded out some business leaders and city residents on the idea “and the feedback was very positive.â€

At the public meeting, Judy Morgan, the city’s director of tourism development stressed that shopping serves to lure tourists to Toronto. “On holiday, tourists want to enjoy the city and shop,†Ms. Morgan said.

 

[Chuck]

But there is a catch: Toronto’s neighbours must ask the provincial government to approve any such changes. Under the new City of Toronto Act, which went into effect last year, the city has the power to govern hours of operation for its retail businesses.

This is exactly the type of creative idea that should be explored using Toronto's new powers. Creating new taxes out of thin air that an already over taxed city has to pay is stupid! David Miller is a fool - glad I voted for what's her name instead, and glad there are still some innovative thinkers left at City Hall.

 

[lordmandeep]

I would do it as fast as possible.

Exploit your advantages!!

 

[CDL.TO]

Too bad for the retail workers. Now they'll have only one day a year that they can count on having off.

 

[ShonTron]

No kidding.

This is not necessarily a good thing - it won't really improve the economy of the city, it will only mean that most malls will be busy, but it won't really increase sales, except from a few 905ers who feel like shopping New Years' Day, or Canada Day, or Thanksgiving.

Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson from NYC is a retail powerhouse with malls and power centres galore. It is also one of very few jurisdictions on this continent that still prohibits Sunday shopping. Go figure.

So no, I don't see this as a good idea. The Downtown core - including Eaton Centre, Yonge Street, Queen West, and Harbourfront should remain the only holiday shopping exemption.

 

[Mongo]

I agree with SeanTrans. This measure will probably have little impact on total sales over the year, it will only increase the number of hours that shops have to be open to the public -- and hence lower sales per hour. I do not see this as a good thing.

This is a perfect example of what is known as "the tragedy of the commons" -- something that is good for a single entity (a shop, in this case) but that leads to a situation that is worse for everyone. Another example would be dumping untreated wastewater in a nearby river. If only one individual does this, they benefit by not having to pay for disposal, and the river is still fairly clean. But if everyone does this, the river is turned into a sewer.

I used to work in the printing/photocopying department of a large financial institution. One day, management had the bright idea of including a "priority" checkbox on the copy request forms. Sure enough, within a week everyone was checking that box for everything, with a net result that nothing was changed. In the case of this tourism area proposal, I can see the same thing happening -- store employees must cover more hours, without any significant additional sales.

Bill

 

[3Dementia]

If the city fired their "communicators" and managed to generate some significant Toronto brand messaging... there might actually be some tourists around to enjoy this tourist area... and then it makes sense for businesses and by extension employee overtime ("if" compensated).

 

[HiRiser]

I agree that this may not be such a good idea but wouldn't the retailers retain the option of not opening on a Statutory Holiday if it does not make business sense to remain open?

 

[JasonParis]

I would think so. Although, some malls may decide on mandatory hours for their lease holders.

 

[299 bloor call control.]

Essentially it's to provide the option for a store to be open on a stat holiday. Considering the multicultural nature of our city, and the fact that a large number of our statutory holidays are related to a specific faith, allowing people to have something to do, lets say, on Good Friday, instead of sitting at home, is a good thing.

As for the burbs being afraid of Toronto retailers taking their business on a stat holiday? How about all the jobs you've stolen from Toronto? Or the services they leech indirectly? This is hardly a drop in a very large bucket and the 905 should just suck it up.

 

[Venti de Milo]

No kidding.

This is not necessarily a good thing - it won't really improve the economy of the city, it will only mean that most malls will be busy, but it won't really increase sales, except from a few 905ers who feel like shopping New Years' Day, or Canada Day, or Thanksgiving.

Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson from NYC is a retail powerhouse with malls and power centres galore. It is also one of very few jurisdictions on this continent that still prohibits Sunday shopping. Go figure.

So no, I don't see this as a good idea. The Downtown core - including Eaton Centre, Yonge Street, Queen West, and Harbourfront should remain the only holiday shopping exemption.

Chinatown and Chinese Malls open 365 days a year...see how busy they are during the holidays? Don't under estimate it. Everything's closed on Xmas day except Chinese Malls and Chinatown, go check it out next year and you will see why...

Opening on holidays is a good idea. Most people are off, and they have nothing to do...and that's the time they can do something with their friends and families...go shopping and eating and entertainment.

I'm surprised thought that the Bible thumpers and conservative families are NOT protesting this....wow...where have they gone??

 

[ShonTron]

Essentially it's to provide the option for a store to be open on a stat holiday. Considering the multicultural nature of our city, and the fact that a large number of our statutory holidays are related to a specific faith, allowing people to have something to do, lets say, on Good Friday, instead of sitting at home, is a good thing.

As for the burbs being afraid of Toronto retailers taking their business on a stat holiday? How about all the jobs you've stolen from Toronto? Or the services they leech indirectly? This is hardly a drop in a very large bucket and the 905 should just suck it up.

Good Friday, (Easter Sunday), Christmas and Boxing Day are still religious-based, but most stores open Boxing Day anyway now. The others - New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, plus the non-stat Civic Holiday and now Family Day are not. It's not as if people deserve a holiday off once in a while, especially in retail, where things like float holidays, vacation pay, benefits and salaries aren't common.

I just don't see the benefit. Want to shop Good Friday? Sure - Eaton Centre, Queen West and Pacific Mall are open for your shopping pleasure. Not like there's other things to do on a holiday but shop.

And retail workers hardly have the option, as do most store management anyway in malls, who are required to be open when the mall management says so.