Business travel spotlight series: Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and the country’s capital of commerce, so it’s no wonder businesses from across the globe regularly visit for business opportunities. Vibrant, multicultural and featuring a famous waterfront skyline, Toronto is a hotspot; but, it’s also a hub for the entire country’s financial, commercial, industrial and tech sectors, placing it as one of the most important cities in North America.
Whether you’re planning a business trip for employees or considering expanding business into Toronto, we’ve got everything you need to know about the top business destination.
Toronto quick facts
Toronto is the fourth largest city in North America; 2.87 million people are expected to live in the city by the end of 2022
12.7% of Toronto’s land is covered with parks, and the city is home to over 10 million trees
Over 180 languages and dialects are spoken in Toronto, reflecting the city’s diversity and population
Toronto is the third largest tech hub in North America, and is considered Canada’s leading tech ecosystem
In Lake Ontario, you can find the Toronto Islands: a group of fifteen islands connected by bridges. It's the biggest car-free urban community in North America
Arriving in Toronto
Toronto is well-connected, so accessing the city is easy for business travelers. Toronto Pearson International Airport - Canada’s largest and busiest airport - is the primary international airport serving Toronto and its metropolitan area. Travelers can reach the city center directly from the airport in 25 minutes using the Union Pearson Express.
Moving around the city is remarkably easy; the public transportation system (called the Toronto Transit Commission - TTC) operates buses, subways, street cars and paratransit services. There is also a small and simple metro and tram system to get around.
Staying in Toronto
A recent survey ranked Toronto in the top 10 most livable cities in the world, based on several factors including healthcare, stability and infrastructure. The city also came second on a list of the top 60 safest cities in the world, scoring 82.2 points out of 100.
The city is a great place to stay for business travelers - and it’s certainly not short of reliable, safe employee accommodations. Here are some areas to consider housing employees:
Downtown Toronto: Located in the Old Toronto District, Downtown Toronto is the central business district with the largest concentration of skyscrapers in the country (including the world-famous CN Tower). The area is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, major banks, high-rise office towers and a range of meeting venues.
Harbourfront: Just outside of the downtown district, the Harbourfront is ideal for business travelers wanting to stay somewhere a bit more ‘green’, yet still be close to the buzzing business hub. The Harbourfront is packed with open spaces, walking paths, plus a range of galleries, theaters and events.
West Queen West: If your employees plan to extend their trip into a bleisure visit, West Queen West is a great base to consider. The area boasts a range of cafes, restaurants and boutique shops, and is one of Toronto’s most popular neighborhoods.
Working in Toronto
Toronto is the headquarters to many Canadian businesses, so there’s certainly no shortage of workspaces, and employees should feel comfortable working from the many options available. The city is home to two large business event spaces and houses many cafes, offices, boardrooms and conference spaces, suitable for meetings and corporate events.
Whether it’s a trendy coffee shop in West Queen West or a boardroom in the financial district, there are plenty of avenues to explore. A few options to keep on your radar include the Learner First Studio, The Globe and Mail Center, and Telsec Business Center.
How to spend spare time in Toronto
As we know, the bleisure trend is here to stay - so if business travelers want to blend their work trip into a vacation, rest assured there is plenty to do and see outside of meetings. Here are a few of our favorites:
Hockey Hall of Fame: Canada is known for its hockey, so no trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Visitors can browse the museum, shop, and view the famous Stanley Cup.
St Lawrence Market: Perhaps the most famous market in Toronto, St Lawrence Market is packed with dozens of food stalls featuring meats, cheeses, produce and more. Employees can also participate in culinary classes in the unique event space in The Market Kitchen.
Scarborough Bluffs: For business travelers looking for some peace and stunning scenery between work, the Scarborough Bluffs are not to be missed. Home to a series of 11 different parks, employees can drive to the sights or take a hike if they’ve got the whole day.
If you’re looking for reliable housing options for employees on their next trip to Toronto, look no further than 3Sixty.
3Sixty
3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel. Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.