![Industry hoping for a 'Swift' surge](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1717743540/articles/rdkBP5c8d1717747286376/INDUSTRY-HOPING-FOR-A-SWIFT-SURGE.jpg)
Taylor Swift’s six concerts at Rogers Centre this November have led to a 300 per cent jump in hotel reservations for the month, said Destination Toronto CEO Andrew Weir.
Visitors injected billions of dollars into Toronto’s economy last year, a new study finds, but tourists have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels amid signs of slowing growth.
Some 26.5 million visitors arrived in 2023 and spent $8.4 billion — the bulk of it on hotels, restaurants and transportation — according to a report from Tourism Economics.
However, tourist numbers fell short of the high water mark in 2019, when 28 million people descended on the city, according to tourism organization Destination Toronto, which commissioned the study.
Last year, 88 per cent of visitors were Canadian, while nearly seven per cent came from the U.S. and 4.5 per cent from overseas. The percentages for the latter two were higher before the pandemic.
This story is from the June 07, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 07, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Rookie's dominant starts offer hope](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/U24tbuIds1720348822149/ROOKIES-DOMINANT-STARTS-OFFER-HOPE.jpg)
Rookie's dominant starts offer hope
Blue Jays still look like trade deadline sellers, but righty Rodríguez just might be a keeper
![England perfect in shootout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/R2iXG8_iM1720348663188/ENGLAND-PERFECT-IN-SHOOTOUT.jpg)
England perfect in shootout
Alexander-Arnold nets winner to reach semifinals, redemption for Saka
![How did Shanaplan Leafs lose their way?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/fowuFHf6g1720348298631/HOW-DID-SHANAPLAN-LEAFS-LOSE-THEIR-WAY.jpg)
How did Shanaplan Leafs lose their way?
Potential, sure, but so few results, promises unkept
![ULTIMATE GOAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/kR6iF-pN61720348093131/ULTIMATE-GOAL.jpg)
ULTIMATE GOAL
Why Canada's run to semifinals means so much
![Do Canadians want more or less government in their lives?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/cIJn7O2Yi1720347925479/DO-CANADIANS-WANT-MORE-OR-LESS-GOVERNMENT-IN-THEIR-LIVES.jpg)
Do Canadians want more or less government in their lives?
In a recurring feature, Susan Delacourt, a small-I liberal, and Matt Gurney, a small-c conservative, bring their different perspectives - and shared commitment to civil disagreement to the political debates of the moment.
![Rescued cub finds new life](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/3xQqDgF_M1720347860245/RESCUED-CUB-FINDS-NEW-LIFE.jpg)
Rescued cub finds new life
Freya, a six-month-old lion cub rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon, poked a curious nose out of her transport crate and sniffed the air. Satisfied, she took her first cautious steps in her new forever home in a sanctuary in South Africa.
![Theories about coup abound](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/6XiD39FaD1720347785923/THEORIES-ABOUT-COUP-ABOUND.jpg)
Theories about coup abound
A plan to stage a coup against Bolivia's president was not what Gen. Tomás Peña y Lillo was expecting when he entered the military headquarters in La Paz last Wednesday.
!['It takes them many days to secure even a respite beď](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/i-i0pesbZ1720347527131/IT-TAKES-THEM-MANY-DAYS-TO-SECURE-EVEN-A-RESPITE-BE.jpg)
'It takes them many days to secure even a respite beď
A year ago, a funding spat left asylum seekers on the streets. So what's changed and what hasn't?
![Flight from justice](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/2b6PN-mTF1720347100968/FLIGHT-FROM-JUSTICE.jpg)
Flight from justice
After the bloody murder came a panicked getaway across Ontario and a pursuit over three European countries, ending in capture. In the second of three parts, the Hamilton Spectator's Nicole O'Reilly retraces the fugitives' steps
![Path cleared for possible ceasefire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/UPrFKjJYC1720346976120/PATH-CLEARED-FOR-POSSIBLE-CEASEFIRE.jpg)
Path cleared for possible ceasefire
Militant group in Gaza has dropped key demand to end war, officials say