Torontonians are thrilled to finally get back out and enjoy patio season in a safe and responsible way. And our excitement comes as no surprise. After all, it’s been a long 16 months. That’s especially the case for the businesses in Toronto’s tourism and hospitality community. This is an industry that was hit first, hit hardest and likely the last to recover once the pandemic is over.
One the sectors of our industry hit tremendously hard has been our city’s culinary community. Their strength, resilience and innovativeness have been nothing short of inspiring. When in lockdown, we introduced a new way to support our restaurant community through ToGoToronto.com, and encouraged Torontonians to support local restaurants through takeout, delivery and patios during the reopening in 2020. Now that re-opening has begun, we’re excited to help support Toronto’s restaurants with a new initiative. Introducing PatioscapesTO!
PatioscapesTO, launching today, encourages Torontonians to safely explore patios across the city this summer. It’s a six-week campaign and contest that capitalizes on the local excitement of patios re-opening, and invites diners to experience patios in neighbourhoods in all corners of the city by sharing their favourite patio dining photos online.
Entering the contest couldn’t be easier. Locals only need to post a photo of their patio experience on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and include hashtag #PatioscapesTO. Photos can also be uploaded on the PatioscapesTO website. The more patio photos each person submits, the greater their chance to win.
One lucky participant in PatioscapesTO will win Patio Dining for a Year – 52 gift cards, each valued at $100 each, from diverse restaurants across Toronto. The winner will be selected through a curated list of photos shared on the PatioscapesTO website. Participants then vote for their favorite photo with the top submission named the grand prize winner. In addition to the grand prize, there will also be a weekly contest and theme where participants can win a prize pack related to the weekly theme valued at $100. Winners will be chosen from submitted photos by random draw.
So how can Toronto restaurateurs take part? Here are four ways:
- Make sure your restaurant is listed with Destination Toronto and the patio dining feature has been activated. To update or activate your culinary listing, log in to your Partner Portal or email partnerships@destinationtoronto.com.
- Tag your social posts with #RoomOnThePatioTO, especially on your Twitter account, if you have availability on your patio. Local residents will be encouraged by Destination Toronto, and others, to search for this hashtag to find patios where there is available space.
- Let your patrons know they can easily enter the #PatioScapesTO contest by posting their experience on your patio on their favorite social channel using #PatioscapesTO.
- And if you’re a restaurant without a patio, continue to encourage takeout and delivery options. Destination Toronto will carry on showcasing these dining options on ToGoToronto.
For all of the other leaders in our industry, we encourage you to join online by following the campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And most importantly - go visit a patio! Post your picture using #PatioscapesTO and show your support for our culinary community and the city we love.
Visit DestinationToronto.com/PatioscapesTO to explore our patio scene online.
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