Very happy to have written this about Covid’s impact on Tourism in Toronto for @thelocalhealth’s latest pandemic issue. Many will be surprised TO is a major tourist draw - more tourists than Barcelona - 1/ https://thelocal.to/a-summer-without-tourists/

& that many people/biz's that don't identify as being part of the tourism industry actually are part of it. It's a strange octopus that connects with & touches so much of the city. Talked to a ton of folk, couldn't fit them all into this (will add to this thread w them later)

Thanks to @nickhunebrown for being interested in an at-first vague idea - this piece will feed a bigger project that I've been trying to get started, so I'm very happy it's out! Momentum, even if it's sadly about something stagnating.

Check out the rest of the issue here https://thelocal.to 

Related but couldn’t fit it in - the 519’s Pride beer garden, where you hear accents from Michigan, western NY, & beyond, is their massive fundraiser for the year. Consider donating to keep their programs running. https://twitter.com/the519/status/1275792688198176769?s=21 https://twitter.com/The519/status/1275792688198176769

Promised to catch up to this thread. One of the most interesting things is how many biz's in Toronto (and elsewhere) don't consider themselves part of the industry. Talked to @AttractionsOnt - seen figures as high 20% of resto's biz is from tourism, so it won't register.

Via @AttractionsOnt: Tourism is the 5th largest industry in Canada, employing 10% of workforce & is largest employer of youth. In Ontario, tourism is bigger than forestry, mining & agricultural industries combined, and has an average wage higher than manufacturing.

Invisibility has consequences - Troy Young, CEO of @AttractionsOnt: “Because they are mainly small businesses, they do not get the same level of support and interest from politicians than, say, manufacturing or agriculture gets,” says Young.