B
blixa442
Guest
I could be wrong, but I get the feeling more Americans are flying in these days.
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A
adma
Guest
Conversely, how many Torontonians are headed for the USA these days compared to the pre-Dubyah, pre-9/11 era? Maybe the negative dynamic works both ways...
G
ganjavih
Guest
Apparently, fewer Americans are travelling within the US as well.
E
esplanade guy
Guest
We need something new
I got my stats from checking "official" tourism sites on the net and if I remember correctly, Chicago got about 3 times the number of real tourists than Toronto. We've been lead to believe that Toronto is a major tourist draw but I don't think that's the case because I wouldn't count businessmen, convention and family visitors as real tourists, as they are not here to see Toronto but for other reasons. My interest is how many people visit Toronto because they want to see Toronto, enjoy the city and have fun. The focus should be on making Toronto a great place to visit and have fun in. Not only would that be good for tourists but it would be great for people who live here too. Marketing campains are just BS unless there is something to back up the hype. We need some new museums and major attractions to offer something new and exciting. An expo and improved waterfront will be a good start.
I got my stats from checking "official" tourism sites on the net and if I remember correctly, Chicago got about 3 times the number of real tourists than Toronto. We've been lead to believe that Toronto is a major tourist draw but I don't think that's the case because I wouldn't count businessmen, convention and family visitors as real tourists, as they are not here to see Toronto but for other reasons. My interest is how many people visit Toronto because they want to see Toronto, enjoy the city and have fun. The focus should be on making Toronto a great place to visit and have fun in. Not only would that be good for tourists but it would be great for people who live here too. Marketing campains are just BS unless there is something to back up the hype. We need some new museums and major attractions to offer something new and exciting. An expo and improved waterfront will be a good start.
S
SD2
Guest
Re: We need something new
Toronto is a great place to visit and have fun in - lots to do. That doesn't mean we shouldn't always be expanding the list of things to do in the city, but at the same time I think we sell the city short as a leisure destination.
Better marketing is essential.
I got my stats from checking "official" tourism sites on the net and if I remember correctly, Chicago got about 3 times the number of real tourists than Toronto. We've been lead to believe that Toronto is a major tourist draw but I don't think that's the case because I wouldn't count businessmen, convention and family visitors as real tourists, as they are not here to see Toronto but for other reasons. My interest is how many people visit Toronto because they want to see Toronto, enjoy the city and have fun. The focus should be on making Toronto a great place to visit and have fun in. Not only would that be good for tourists but it would be great for people who live here too. Marketing campains are just BS unless there is something to back up the hype. We need some new museums and major attractions to offer something new and exciting. An expo and improved waterfront will be a good start.
Toronto is a great place to visit and have fun in - lots to do. That doesn't mean we shouldn't always be expanding the list of things to do in the city, but at the same time I think we sell the city short as a leisure destination.
Better marketing is essential.
W
wyliepoon
Guest
Re: We need something new
American licence plates are so easy to spot these days. They're colourful, but extremely kitschy compared to the simple, two-colour Ontario plates which I like better.
We used to make a game of spotting the foreign plates when I was a child, and became very good at recognizing them from a distance.
American licence plates are so easy to spot these days. They're colourful, but extremely kitschy compared to the simple, two-colour Ontario plates which I like better.
S
samsonyuen
Guest
Re: We need something new
I read a small blurb about that too, that Canada and Mexico have gotten more overseas tourists, whereas the US has dropped in international tourists (overseas ones).
I read a small blurb about that too, that Canada and Mexico have gotten more overseas tourists, whereas the US has dropped in international tourists (overseas ones).
D
Duplicitous
Guest
Re: We need something new
We better hope not with the current crop of Liberal leadership candidates. Then again if Americans came when the intellectual giants of Chretien and Martin were in power, maybe Americans are more charitible than we are when looking at morons in power. :lol
Conversely, how many Torontonians are headed for the USA these days compared to the pre-Dubyah, pre-9/11 era? Maybe the negative dynamic works both ways...
We better hope not with the current crop of Liberal leadership candidates. Then again if Americans came when the intellectual giants of Chretien and Martin were in power, maybe Americans are more charitible than we are when looking at morons in power. :lol
T
tudararms
Guest
Re: We need something new
The spike in U.S. tourism back in the 80s and 90s was driven by the low Canadian dollar. On par, we cannot really compete with NYC, San Fran, Chicago and other popular American destinations.
The spike in U.S. tourism back in the 80s and 90s was driven by the low Canadian dollar. On par, we cannot really compete with NYC, San Fran, Chicago and other popular American destinations.
E
esplanade guy
Guest
Re: We need something new
Let's face it, for most Americans, we aren't even on the map. For the ones that have heard of Toronto, a good number of them think we are some hick town in the wilderness. I was talking to a Texan, on the net recently, who couldn't believe it was hot in Toronto. Don't they print an international weather maps in American newspapers? lol There seems to be only a small core of Americans who really know about Toronto and visit the city on a regular basis. For gay Americans, Toronto and Montreal seem to be very much on the map. There are always lots of American tourists in the gay bars all year round. They really like this "Amsterdam of North America"!
Let's face it, for most Americans, we aren't even on the map. For the ones that have heard of Toronto, a good number of them think we are some hick town in the wilderness. I was talking to a Texan, on the net recently, who couldn't believe it was hot in Toronto. Don't they print an international weather maps in American newspapers? lol There seems to be only a small core of Americans who really know about Toronto and visit the city on a regular basis. For gay Americans, Toronto and Montreal seem to be very much on the map. There are always lots of American tourists in the gay bars all year round. They really like this "Amsterdam of North America"!
W
wyliepoon
Guest
Re: We need something new
... and for American baseball fans, Toronto is where they come if they can't get cheap tickets to the game back home in New York and Boston.
... and for American baseball fans, Toronto is where they come if they can't get cheap tickets to the game back home in New York and Boston.
D
Duplicitous
Guest
Re: We need something new
:rollin
Like Buffalo and Ottawa for Leafs Nation.
... and for American baseball fans, Toronto is where they come if they can't get cheap tickets to the game back home in New York and Boston.
:rollin
Like Buffalo and Ottawa for Leafs Nation.
D
dashingdan
Guest
Re: We need something new
I really think the fountains at dundas square are nifty. i haven't been downtown a lot lately, so i haven't taken advantage of them in the heat like i would like to.
I really think the fountains at dundas square are nifty. i haven't been downtown a lot lately, so i haven't taken advantage of them in the heat like i would like to.
E
esplanade guy
Guest
Talking To Americans
Speaking of American tourists, I met a guy from Chicago yeaterday for coffe at Timothy's. This is a guy I've chatted with a few times on the net, so when he phoned me to meet and give him a tour/advice and info about Toronto, I was happy to help. Within one minute of meeting him I asked him if he's enjoying Toronto. (at this point he had only been in town a few hours) His reply was "It's ok but it's not Chicago". I wasn't exactly sure what he meant, so I asked him. He told me Toronto had nothing, no life, no architecture, it was just ordinary. I asked him what he saw. He told me he walked from the gay village to the Eaton Centre and back and he did not see anything nice. "All the buildings are small and ugly" he responded. I responded, "Well, if you only saw that tiny part, you can't make any judgements yet". His reply, "I just don't like Toronto, there are prostitutes right in front of my hotel". I go "Chicago doesn't have prostitutes?" He says "I've never seen any", Followed by "I'm so lucky I live in Chicago, I live in a beautiful area (Boystown) right on the lake and my neighbourhood is so safe and beautiful, the street is lined with beautyful, classy stores and restaurants, it's so nice" "I AM SO LUCKY". I say, well, the subway, south side poverty, segrigation, crime, deserted streets, abandoned houses, non-lively boystown with discreat bars are not my cup of tea. Chicago is not perfect. Aguments continue!!! I need a break, so I say, "well, let's go for a walk and I'll show you around the village, I think you'll like it. I WAS WRONG!!! lol
Complaints "It's so small (he mean't the village LOL), why are people sitting outside, I don't like people standing around doing nothing, these buildings are not very nice, why are there no classy restaurants, there are no attractive men in Toronto, (I did not take it personally, I know I'm an ugly ****er!l) Why are there prostitutes around here, don't people care about the neighbourhood, on and on and on it went for about 20 min.
We went back to Timothy's for coffee and I had decided to throw in a few of my insights of Chicago. My boyfriend, who was there too, was smart enough to not say much the whole evening. My bf is obviously MUCH smarter then I. I admit, it was probably not a good idea but I thought if I said them in my diplomatic Canadian way, it would be ok. My contention is that, although Toronto is not a great city, it definatly has a lot to admire and fun can be had in Toronto, if one is open to enjoying the city.
I pointed out a few of our good points, "our subway is ok, we have some cool shopping areas, our streets are mostly lively and interesting, our ethnic populations are mixed in just about every neighbourhood, the gay village is wide open and relaxed, are prostitutes are harmless and the city is safe and we have some nice neighbourhoods.
Did I win him over? For every comment I made he repeated the same thing "I don't care about that". LOL After about an hour, I realised I was an idiot and stopped debating. I may get a bit passionate about my city but even I know when it's pointless.
Within an hour I had 2 different friends stop to say hello. When I introduced Mr. Chicago, they of course said, "how are you enjoying Toronto?" LOL I heard his tirade 2 more times and 2 more arguments about Toronto. (And one of my friends was an American who moved here over 20 years ago) Finally, I was hearing Toronians fight and defend Toronto, as if it was a place worth defending. I was laughing inside, even when the conversation was getting a bit over-heated. Both friends left rather perplexed and mentioned "we get free healthcare and gay marriage is legal here!!" before their exits. Mr. Chicago was not impressed and even had the gall to say he hated Montreal ("boaring pretend Europeans" and The city was decayed or something like that. Hey, Vancouver and Quebec City came out as nothing special BUT Boston, New York, San Francisco, San Diago, Miami and Of course, Chicago, were all amazing and great cities.
Am I boaring you guys with my Honest-to-god, true story? I do have a point! lol By the way, he was not impressed by Paris or London, so we are in good company!!! He asked me if I thought he would like The beaches or Kensington Market. I told him, forget it, you'll hate both. I had no suggestions for him at all, I figured if I advised him to go somewhere, he call me back and say that sucked!!! Since he is stuck here till tuesday, I guess it will be a difficult few days for him.A man who has seen the splenders of Boston and Miami is impossible to impress. I did suggest a few restaurants but he doesn't like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, Spanish, Jamacian, Jewish, French, Greek, Arabic, African or Vietnamese food. But he loves pizza. UM, PIZZA PIZZA?
So, my point, lol, is, (are you still with me?) :rollin it takes a Toronto dissing American to get a Torontonians to appreciate and defend our city. It it was nice to hear Torontonians speaking so passionatly about our attributes. Next point, never argue with an American who can't see anything good in your city. You can never win in that situation. >:
Speaking of American tourists, I met a guy from Chicago yeaterday for coffe at Timothy's. This is a guy I've chatted with a few times on the net, so when he phoned me to meet and give him a tour/advice and info about Toronto, I was happy to help. Within one minute of meeting him I asked him if he's enjoying Toronto. (at this point he had only been in town a few hours) His reply was "It's ok but it's not Chicago". I wasn't exactly sure what he meant, so I asked him. He told me Toronto had nothing, no life, no architecture, it was just ordinary. I asked him what he saw. He told me he walked from the gay village to the Eaton Centre and back and he did not see anything nice. "All the buildings are small and ugly" he responded. I responded, "Well, if you only saw that tiny part, you can't make any judgements yet". His reply, "I just don't like Toronto, there are prostitutes right in front of my hotel". I go "Chicago doesn't have prostitutes?" He says "I've never seen any", Followed by "I'm so lucky I live in Chicago, I live in a beautiful area (Boystown) right on the lake and my neighbourhood is so safe and beautiful, the street is lined with beautyful, classy stores and restaurants, it's so nice" "I AM SO LUCKY". I say, well, the subway, south side poverty, segrigation, crime, deserted streets, abandoned houses, non-lively boystown with discreat bars are not my cup of tea. Chicago is not perfect. Aguments continue!!! I need a break, so I say, "well, let's go for a walk and I'll show you around the village, I think you'll like it. I WAS WRONG!!! lol
Complaints "It's so small (he mean't the village LOL), why are people sitting outside, I don't like people standing around doing nothing, these buildings are not very nice, why are there no classy restaurants, there are no attractive men in Toronto, (I did not take it personally, I know I'm an ugly ****er!l) Why are there prostitutes around here, don't people care about the neighbourhood, on and on and on it went for about 20 min.
We went back to Timothy's for coffee and I had decided to throw in a few of my insights of Chicago. My boyfriend, who was there too, was smart enough to not say much the whole evening. My bf is obviously MUCH smarter then I. I admit, it was probably not a good idea but I thought if I said them in my diplomatic Canadian way, it would be ok. My contention is that, although Toronto is not a great city, it definatly has a lot to admire and fun can be had in Toronto, if one is open to enjoying the city.
I pointed out a few of our good points, "our subway is ok, we have some cool shopping areas, our streets are mostly lively and interesting, our ethnic populations are mixed in just about every neighbourhood, the gay village is wide open and relaxed, are prostitutes are harmless and the city is safe and we have some nice neighbourhoods.
Did I win him over? For every comment I made he repeated the same thing "I don't care about that". LOL After about an hour, I realised I was an idiot and stopped debating. I may get a bit passionate about my city but even I know when it's pointless.
Within an hour I had 2 different friends stop to say hello. When I introduced Mr. Chicago, they of course said, "how are you enjoying Toronto?" LOL I heard his tirade 2 more times and 2 more arguments about Toronto. (And one of my friends was an American who moved here over 20 years ago) Finally, I was hearing Toronians fight and defend Toronto, as if it was a place worth defending. I was laughing inside, even when the conversation was getting a bit over-heated. Both friends left rather perplexed and mentioned "we get free healthcare and gay marriage is legal here!!" before their exits. Mr. Chicago was not impressed and even had the gall to say he hated Montreal ("boaring pretend Europeans" and The city was decayed or something like that. Hey, Vancouver and Quebec City came out as nothing special BUT Boston, New York, San Francisco, San Diago, Miami and Of course, Chicago, were all amazing and great cities.
Am I boaring you guys with my Honest-to-god, true story? I do have a point! lol By the way, he was not impressed by Paris or London, so we are in good company!!! He asked me if I thought he would like The beaches or Kensington Market. I told him, forget it, you'll hate both. I had no suggestions for him at all, I figured if I advised him to go somewhere, he call me back and say that sucked!!! Since he is stuck here till tuesday, I guess it will be a difficult few days for him.A man who has seen the splenders of Boston and Miami is impossible to impress. I did suggest a few restaurants but he doesn't like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, Spanish, Jamacian, Jewish, French, Greek, Arabic, African or Vietnamese food. But he loves pizza. UM, PIZZA PIZZA?
So, my point, lol, is, (are you still with me?) :rollin it takes a Toronto dissing American to get a Torontonians to appreciate and defend our city. It it was nice to hear Torontonians speaking so passionatly about our attributes. Next point, never argue with an American who can't see anything good in your city. You can never win in that situation. >:
E
esplanade guy
Guest
Re: We need something new
Oh and he LOVED Fort Lauderdale, that about says it all for me. I hated Fort Lauderdale! lol
Our beloved multi-culturalism, he is not in favour of it, his building is all white and he likes it that way.
Oh and he LOVED Fort Lauderdale, that about says it all for me. I hated Fort Lauderdale! lol
Our beloved multi-culturalism, he is not in favour of it, his building is all white and he likes it that way.