TEXT SIZE
TORONTO – (June 23, 2021) Today, the Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) hosted their virtual Annual General Meeting.
Chair Edwin Frizzell, Vice-President of Accor Hotels Central Canada & General Manager of the Fairmont Royal York began the meeting by thanking the membership for staying strong, remaining connected and for keeping the heart of hospitality alive through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chair Frizzell’s remarks highlighted the importance of the hotel community with regard to the recovery of the travel and tourism economy. Mr. Frizzell noted the positive impact hotel front line workers have on hotel guests as exemplified through the association’s Spirit Awards events, as well as the passion and support demonstrated through the recent #HospitalityStrong purple lights initiative in which numerous hotel members participated across the GTA. While the association continues its efforts to advocate on behalf of its members at all levels of government, Mr. Frizzell urged members and owners in a call to action to also reach out to those in government and push to fully open up hotels as well as provide clarity on the reopening plan for meeting and event spaces.
Chair of the Nominating Committee Bonnie Strome, General Manager of the Park Hyatt Toronto thanked the 2020/21 Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment to the hotel industry across the Greater Toronto Area. Mrs. Strome presented the slate of candidates for the 2021/22 GTHA Board of Directors. For a full list of Board members click here.
President & CEO Terry Mundell recognized the contributions of the association’s members in his remarks. Acknowledgements included hotel members who provided accommodations to front line health care professionals and others serving their community, organizations who took all steps possible to keep people employed and to bring back furloughed employees as soon as practical, business leaders’ ability to adapt under extraordinary pressures and members’ demonstration as persuasive government relations advocates speaking with a united voice. Mr. Mundell echoed Chair Frizzell’s call to action and encouraged all members to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible so that hotels may reopen their doors and welcome guests once again in a safe way.
A special thank you to GTHA event partner Smart Serve Ontario for their ongoing support and to GTHA sponsors Insuranceland and Veliche Gourmet Belgian Chocolate.
About the Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA)
Founded in 1925, the Greater Toronto Hotel Association has been serving the hotel industry of the Greater Toronto Area for over ninety years. A major stakeholder in the tourism industry, the GTHA is the voice of the Greater Toronto Area's hotel industry, representing 170 hotels, with approximately 36,000 guest rooms and 32,000 employees. The GTHA is dedicated to serving the interests of its members on issues of public policy and advocates to raise the profile and prosperity of our members as a vital component of the hospitality industry.
For more information please contact:
Emily Dickson
edickson@gtha.com
416-351-1276