Ontario Helps Toronto Tourism Reach New Heights

Ontario has helped make Toronto a premier travel destination, growing our economy and creating jobs for families.

Ontario's support for one of a kind festivals, cultural attractions, conventions and world-class sporting events has helped Toronto become a destination of choice for travellers, according to a new report released by Tourism Toronto.

In 2011, Toronto welcomed more hotel visitors than ever before.  In fact, more than 9 million hotel rooms were sold during the year, and Toronto welcomed over 10 million overnight visitors. This record setting year also saw Toronto increase the number of overnight visitors from the United States and around the world -- while, by comparison, overseas arrivals in the rest of Canada declined in 2011.

Other 2011 highlights include:

• Ontario enjoyed a 39.6 per cent market share of all overseas visitors to Canada.
• The biggest growth in overseas visitors to Toronto is from China (34.5 per cent increase), India (13.2 per cent), Italy (9.3 per cent) and Brazil (9.2 per cent).
• With 1,118 new hotel rooms Toronto's 3.4 per cent growth in hotel room inventory followed only New York City (up 5.5 per cent) and Nashville (up 4.2 per cent) in North America.
• Travel & Leisure Magazine has listed Toronto as one of its Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012.             

Supporting Ontario's tourism sector is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a strong economy and create jobs for families.