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World class, eh?

Goes to show that there are lots of people with more money than brains.
 
I think its obvious that it's the aesthetics of the city that need more work, tree-lined streets, attractive parklands, more public art. But Toronto needs more than that, the municipality certainly has to raise the bar on the quality of what is being built- especially in the commercial districts as this is the image that is presented to visitors. Chicago, for instance, is doing much better in this regard. As mentioned in the former article- much of this has to do with the size and maturity of the city.

I think Toronto does need to add more unique tourist attractions as well. Name me something that I can't find in NY, Chicago, San Franciso..? OK forget NY- but if I was from Germany- why would I chose to come to TO over San Fran or a trip to Chicago?
 
"I think Toronto does need to add more unique tourist attractions as well. Name me something that I can't find in NY, Chicago, San Franciso..? OK forget NY- but if I was from Germany- why would I chose to come to TO over San Fran or a trip to Chicago?"

Couldn't the reverse be asked? What do those cities have that Toronto doesn't?? (aside from any celebrated history or mythology, or any perceivable international image or reputation, that is).
 
Well, taking San Francisco as an example: spectacular topography and geography, glorious climate, cable cars, great shopping, fantastic museums, unique tourist attractions (Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Ferry Terminal, the Mission, the Presidio, miles of fantastic beach, great surfing, sailing kayaking, excellent restaurants that are reason to visit in and off themselves....

I've been there 4 times for a least a week each time and still haven't seen and done everything I'd like to. Meanwhile I have friends coming here for the Opera and CanStage in February and I'm racking my brians for things to do to entertain them the rest of the time.
 
Unfortunately they'll miss Italian Arts & Design: The 20th Century at the ROM, which closes in January. It only plays Montreal, Toronto, and on to Rovereto, Italy in March.

When's the Running of the Slush festival next year? February, surely? They'll catch that.
 
Why force the issue of "extraordinary" attractions? Maybe it's a certain student-travellerish ease with/affinity for the ordinary, even banal, that can bond one with a city--with *any* city.

Sort of like why, as a visitor to Paris, I'll take Ed l'Epicier over Fauchon...
 
When's the Running of the Slush festival next year? February, surely? They'll catch that.
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A surely unbeatable event! A perfect time to try to identify just how many shades of gray there are to see.
 
Puh leaze. One of them is 50, the other is 38. Not so much hair for flower trimming. Besides, they don't go so much for that whole dope and daisies thing.
 
ell, taking San Francisco as an example: spectacular topography and geography, glorious climate, cable cars, great shopping, fantastic museums, unique tourist attractions (Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Ferry Terminal, the Mission, the Presidio, miles of fantastic beach, great surfing, sailing kayaking, excellent restaurants that are reason to visit in and off themselves....
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Let's see: Toronto can't get the topography or the geography, is stuck with the climate it has, has a few miles with seasonal beaches and no surfing available. So the city can't compete in those categories.

There is some sailing and kayaking that can be done, but again this is seasonal. The Great Lakes are an attraction for boaters, but as a kayaker, there are better destinations.

Great shopping and restaurants: those are available here and could be improved on. No reason why Toronto could not be an attraction on that basis.

Maybe when the Toronto waterfront is finished it will be an attraction along the lines of The Presidio. We will have to wait and see.

As for the ferry terminal...well... never mind.

As for architecture, Toronto does not have the history, or the preserved history to act as a draw on this front. It also does not have the daring of some Chinese cities to create a modern collection of unique architectural draws.

Toronto has some good museums, but when compared to other that are to be found in North America, the collection comes up as being just good, but not great.

So San Francisco does have an advantage.

In light of this, what elements could become a centre of focus for improvement - not only for tourism but for the city and its residents? What are the cultural qualities that can be amplified? What cultural institutions deserve support and promotion? What elements of the city make it comfortable and how can those be built on?

We're never going to have SF's topography or climate, but the city can have something unique and special. It just has to be identified and built upon.
 
Perhaps Vancouver has the vibrant condo-lined streets because it doesn't have the historic communities as ingrained as Toronto does.

I love Toronto, but I can understand how people can see that there isn't much touristic activities to do. Really, I think like Melbourne or some other cities, it's a great place to live, and a nice place to visit, rather than the other way around (I'd say Montreal, or SF because of the sheer cost of living). I'm actually moving back to Toronto (from London) because of the cost of living in London.

I can't speak for all people, but most Europeans know the big three cities in Canada. I haven't asked them to rank their importance though;)
 
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