TORONTO, April 26, 2024 — Destination Toronto today announced the
appointment of Andrew Weir as President & CEO, effective May 1. Weir has
been an integral member of the leadership team at Destination Toronto
for the past 18 years, most recently as Executive Vice President.
A proven leader in Toronto’s tourism industry, Weir has served on
numerous boards across the industry, including Destination
International’s DMAP Board and as Chair of the Tourism Industry
Association of Ontario (TIAO) from 2021-2023.
“Having conducted a thorough North American search, we are thrilled to
announce Andrew Weir as Destination Toronto’s new President & CEO,”
said Rekha Khote, Chair of the Board of Directors at Destination
Toronto. “Andrew is the right leader for our organization, bringing a
deep understanding of Toronto’s visitor economy, a vision for the
business, and the ability to bring people together. We are confident
that his established strong community connections will act as a catalyst
for driving innovation and growth in critical areas of the business.”
Weir is recognized as a passionate advocate and prominent voice within
the industry. In his most recent role as Executive Vice President, he
led strategic partnerships between the tourism industry, broader
business leadership and government, laying the foundation for the
continued growth of the visitor economy and its contribution to the
region. Prior to that, as Chief Marketing Officer, Weir championed an
organizational transformation to align sales and marketing through
powerful brand storytelling.
“I’m deeply honoured and excited to lead Destination Toronto at this
critical time,” said Andrew Weir. “Toronto is Canada’s
most-visited destination, and for good reason. The genuine diversity and
vibrancy of our arts, food, festivals and neighbourhoods, against one of
the world’s truly spectacular skylines, continue to excite and attract
visitors from around the world. The opportunity of tourism and meetings
in Toronto is immense and we have seen the power of visitor spending to
elevate our economy and community.”
“Congratulations to Andrew Weir on his appointment as President & CEO
of Destination Toronto,” said Councillor Shelley Carroll, Budget Chief
& Mayor’s Economic Development & Culture Champion. “This
announcement comes at a pivotal time in our efforts to elevate the
impact of the visitor economy, creating new pathways for growth that
benefit our entire community.”
Toronto welcomed nearly 9 million overnight visitors in 2023, generating
more than $7 billion in visitor spending. As global travel has continued
to recover, Toronto remains positioned as a top urban destination for
major meetings, business travel and leisure travel throughout the year.
About Destination Toronto
Toronto’s visitor economy is a vital economic engine for the city,
generating $7 billion in visitor spending in 2023. Destination
Toronto’s mandate is to reflect the breadth and diversity of
Toronto’s people, places and culture to inspire residents and visitors
to meet, visit and explore our city. Operating in partnership with the
City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association, Destination
Toronto markets and promotes the city to attract visitors and major
meetings and events and supports local businesses to maximize the
opportunities of the visitor economy. For more information, please visit
DestinationToronto.com [2].
