Toronto Spotlight: A Great Program to Boost Winter Visits (And Save $)

Toronto is embracing its winter weather, and turning the city’s climate to its advantage.

In what looks like an excellent marketing move, Tourism Toronto on Wednesday launched what’s called Toronto Spotlight, a series of four weekends in winter with fabulous discounts for visitors. And locals looking for an Ontario “stay-cation.”

Tourism Toronto has partnered with 35 wonderful attractions, including the CN Tower Ripley’s Aquarium Canada, Soulpepper Theatre Company and Culinary Adventure Co. to offer two-for-one deals on four winter weekends. The first two weekends also coincide with the city’s Winterlicious dining program, where folks can dine at wonderful restaurants that offer great, fixed price deals at reasonable prices.

Speaking to reporters at the official launch, which took place on a perfect winter meeting high above the city at the CN Tower, Mayor John Tory said he’s embracing winter as a “positive thing” for the city.

Citing the “crisp, clean air” and sunshine-filled days Toronto gets in winter (as opposed to some cities that shall remain nameless), Tory said the program will help bolster the city’s tourism economy, which supports some 70,000 jobs.

Toronto attracts about 27.5 million visitors a year, Tory said; more than Montreal and Vancouver put together.

“We want to keep working to make it better, and Toronto Spotlight I think is going to do that.”

Tourism Toronto Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jon Mamela called Toronto “an amazing winter destination,” with great things to do such as the Toronto Light Festival, the Bentway skating rink and so much more.

“Don’t let winter keep you inside,” he said. “Be adventurous. Be curious, and see what our city has to offer.”

Not only do Toronto Spotlight and Winterlicious offer great deals, but winter often sees Toronto hotels offering solid discounts, Tory said.

The Toronto Spotlight Weekends take place from the end of January to early March, running over four weekends: Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, Feb. 7-9, Feb. 21-23 and Feb. 28 to March 1. Spotlight offers are listed at www.seetorontonow.com/Spotlight.

Winterlicious returns January 31 to February 13, 2020, featuring both a Culinary Event Series and Prix Fixe Promotion at more than 200 restaurants across the city, as well as 14 culinary events.

The views at the CN Tower on Wednesday were amazing. They also staged a short performance by a magical singer named Vanessa Sears, who’s appearing as a character named Emmie in a new play coming to the Winter Garden Theatre, called “Caroline, or Change.” Boy, this girl can sing.

Here’s a list of the attractions that are participating in Toronto Spotlight:

– Aga Khan Museum

– Haunted Walk of Toronto

– Canadian Opera Company

– Lob

– Canadian Stage

– Mackenzie House Museum

– Casa Loma

– Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

– Chopsticks and Forks

– Montgomery’s Inn

– City Sightseeing Toronto

– Museum of Contemporary Art

– CN Tower

– Ontario Science Centre

– Colborne Lodge

– Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

– Crow’s Theatre

– Scarborough Museum

– Culinary Adventure Co.

– Soulpepper Theatre Company

– Eating Through TO

– Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens

– Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre

– Steam Whistle Brewing

– Escape Manor

– Tasty Tours

– Famous PEOPLE Players

– The Market Gallery

– FlyGTA Airlines

– The Second City

– Fort York National Historic Site

– Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre

– Gibson House Museum

– Toronto Bicycle Tours

– Go Tours Canada

– Toronto Symphony Orchestra

– Harbourfront Centre

– Toronto Zoo