Whether searching for adventure or a taste of city life, Toronto can fill just about any request. DMCs like CTI International have a varied palette to choose from when setting a group itinerary.
“Normally, it’s a must to include Niagara Falls in the itinerary,” says Terry Engesser, managing director of CTI International. The falls are often visited as a day trip, or groups can visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is also home to a popular wine growing region.
CTI International caters to European clients as well as North American groups, though the latter have not fared as well due to the economy.
“Our drive market plummeted in last two quarters,” he says. “We were also hurt last year because the Canadian dollar is worth more than U.S. dollar. It used to be cheap, but now it has reversed the other way.”
Those with limited time often spend two nights in Toronto, visiting Niagara Falls, and then two nights farther north.
“Up north two hours you have Algonquin Park, the size of the country of Belgium,” Engesser says. Activities include bear watching, canoe trips, float planes, wilderness adventure and camping opportunities for small groups and incentives.
The mix of scenery, from the flatlands around Toronto to the rocks and lakes up north, is one of the region’s attractions.
“Participants are stressed when come here, but once up north find themselves in the middle of wilderness and chill out and relax,” Engesser says. “They realize they shouldn’t be answering cell phones all the time.”
Depending on the size of the group, CTI can offer various forms of transport, according to Engesser. Groups can head north in a float plane and either take a bus or organize a road rally in the return direction. For the road rally, there are various stopping points. Groups are given instructions to take photographs as well as pick up clues with points and prizes awarded in various categories.
Aside from road rallies, team-building options include war canoe competitions in the Toronto Islands, which is a 10-minute ferry ride from the city. The company also organizes competitions like ax throwing, a frying pan toss and two-man log sawing. The lumberjack theme is particularly popular with groups from overseas.
“Cliches work well for European groups,” Engesser offers.
In spring and summer, groups can also take advantage of the Toronto harbor via sailing competitions, and motor boats rentals, or CTI can organize an Amazing Race-style competition in the Toronto harbor.
“A few years back we did something similar with jet skis in the Toronto harbor--almost like a road rally, but with jet skis,” Engesser recalls.
Toronto itself is a contrast to the nearby wilderness options.
“Everybody thinks Canada has nothing but wilderness,” he says, “but the fact is it has world-class cities across the country. Most people are surprised at our cities, how developed they are in terms of nightlife and bars.”
CTI International can set up theme events at various venues, such as the Liberty Grand, a 1920s-era Beaux Art former government building that has been transformed into a large entertainment complex.
Other popular group spots include the Distillery District, which caters to smaller groups, and the CN Tower , which is always included for a luncheon or dinner event, according to Engesser. CTI can even organize a fly-by plane that has a banner with the company name welcoming or saying good-bye to the group.
