wyliepoon
Senior Member
The problem with not having a brand is that Toronto becomes any city. Toronto becomes a Singapore or a Taipei rather than a Beijing or a Kyoto.
Toronto will not become "any city" by not branding or adding unrelated attractions- Toronto will still have its Film Festival, its ethnic neighbourhoods, its Entertainment District, etc. to attract tourists. Singapore and Taipei have not become "any city" even though on the surface there appears to be nothing special about them. In Asia, both Singapore and Taipei are famous for their local cuisine, their own unique cultures (Singapore being one of the most ethnically diverse cities in East Asia), and different trends in retail (Singapore has more high-class retail, while Taipei offers cheap, affordable products unique to Taiwan). In Asia, more people would actually choose to spend a quick holiday in Singapore and Taipei rather than in Beijing or Kyoto. (Nobody would go to Kyoto without first going to its neighbouring "any city", Osaka. Kyoto, despite its history and culture, actually has very few tourist attractions)
As nice as the Opera House or a Portrait Gallery may be, nobody in Europe will hear about it.
In the case of the Opera House, I don't care if nobody in Europe hears about it, or even if nobody in the US hears about it. It belongs in Toronto as long as it serves the local population and receives decent local support. The Opera House serves Torontonians first, tourists second.