W
wyliepoon
Guest
How ironic that Tourism Toronto drew Americans to Toronto with something American... how much more American can you get with the New York Yankees?
Link to article
We'll host you, but we won't lose for you
City thanks U.S. Tourists
working.com jobs
Article Tools
* Printer friendly
* E-mail
Font:
* *
* *
* *
* *
Jeffrey Hawkins, National Post
Published: Monday, July 24, 2006
Thousands of U.S. tourists participated in the second annual Welcome to Toronto Day as they watched a ball game at the Rogers Centre and did a little shopping.
Most Americans said they were just here for the day to watch the Toronto Blue Jays take on the New York Yankees, but some planned on more than just baseball.
"He's going to see the game, but I'm here to help your economy," said Flora Gamble of Detroit, Mich., as she smiled and waved goodbye to her husband, Charles, in front of the Rogers Centre. "We drove up here last week so we could catch all four games, but I think I'll do more good for Toronto, and for myself, if I do some shopping," she said.
By mid-morning about 10,000 Americans had arrived by the busload to enjoy the Canadian atmosphere and possibly see themselves projected on the Rogers Centre Jumbotron.
As part of the day's festivities, 40-second video clips of tourists saluting Toronto and Torontonians thanking visitors were shown between innings on the giant television screen, but not before 13-year-old Steven Angel from Ithaca, N.Y., threw out the first pitch. He won one of Tourism Toronto's radio contests held in eight New York markets last week.
While waiting with his family to cross to the pitcher's mound, Steven said he was a little nervous but reassured himself that he would do fine because there were so many of his fellow Americans cheering him on from the stands.
"It's a little intimidating throwing to a professional, but maybe I can give the Yankees some luck for the final game," he joked. However, the Blue Jays completed a successful weekend with a 13-5 victory.
Double-sided Canada-U.S. flags were also handed out to fans as they entered the stadium "as a symbol of our nations' friendship," said Bruce MacMillan, president and chief executive of Tourism Toronto.
"It's just a great way of saying thank you to the many millions of visitors who come to our region and, in particular, say thank you to our American friends and neighbours," he said.
Last year, more than 2.7 million Americans visited the Toronto area, spending more than $1.3-billion in restaurants, hotels, stores and attractions.
So far, Tourism Toronto and its partners have spent more than $5-million this summer to promote the Greater Toronto Area in key U.S. markets to try to soften the impact of the rising Canadian dollar and high gasoline prices, which have hurt major tourism destinations across the country.
But for one Yankees fan, dressed head-to-toe in her team's regalia, the price of gas and the exchange rate are meaningless when it comes to watching the hometown team play at the Rogers Centre.
"It's just so much nicer here," said Sarah Stephens, a university student from New York City.
"Back home you're surrounded by thousands of cops even in the nosebleed section. Here, you can pay next to nothing, get great seats, huge quantities of beer and food and chat with friendly people all afternoon. What's not to like?"
Link to article
We'll host you, but we won't lose for you
City thanks U.S. Tourists
working.com jobs
Article Tools
* Printer friendly
Font:
* *
* *
* *
* *
Jeffrey Hawkins, National Post
Published: Monday, July 24, 2006
Thousands of U.S. tourists participated in the second annual Welcome to Toronto Day as they watched a ball game at the Rogers Centre and did a little shopping.
Most Americans said they were just here for the day to watch the Toronto Blue Jays take on the New York Yankees, but some planned on more than just baseball.
"He's going to see the game, but I'm here to help your economy," said Flora Gamble of Detroit, Mich., as she smiled and waved goodbye to her husband, Charles, in front of the Rogers Centre. "We drove up here last week so we could catch all four games, but I think I'll do more good for Toronto, and for myself, if I do some shopping," she said.
By mid-morning about 10,000 Americans had arrived by the busload to enjoy the Canadian atmosphere and possibly see themselves projected on the Rogers Centre Jumbotron.
As part of the day's festivities, 40-second video clips of tourists saluting Toronto and Torontonians thanking visitors were shown between innings on the giant television screen, but not before 13-year-old Steven Angel from Ithaca, N.Y., threw out the first pitch. He won one of Tourism Toronto's radio contests held in eight New York markets last week.
While waiting with his family to cross to the pitcher's mound, Steven said he was a little nervous but reassured himself that he would do fine because there were so many of his fellow Americans cheering him on from the stands.
"It's a little intimidating throwing to a professional, but maybe I can give the Yankees some luck for the final game," he joked. However, the Blue Jays completed a successful weekend with a 13-5 victory.
Double-sided Canada-U.S. flags were also handed out to fans as they entered the stadium "as a symbol of our nations' friendship," said Bruce MacMillan, president and chief executive of Tourism Toronto.
"It's just a great way of saying thank you to the many millions of visitors who come to our region and, in particular, say thank you to our American friends and neighbours," he said.
Last year, more than 2.7 million Americans visited the Toronto area, spending more than $1.3-billion in restaurants, hotels, stores and attractions.
So far, Tourism Toronto and its partners have spent more than $5-million this summer to promote the Greater Toronto Area in key U.S. markets to try to soften the impact of the rising Canadian dollar and high gasoline prices, which have hurt major tourism destinations across the country.
But for one Yankees fan, dressed head-to-toe in her team's regalia, the price of gas and the exchange rate are meaningless when it comes to watching the hometown team play at the Rogers Centre.
"It's just so much nicer here," said Sarah Stephens, a university student from New York City.
"Back home you're surrounded by thousands of cops even in the nosebleed section. Here, you can pay next to nothing, get great seats, huge quantities of beer and food and chat with friendly people all afternoon. What's not to like?"