Toronto's Caribana Caribbean Festival

[Ed Wetschler]

My brother and sister-in-law couldn't find a vacant hotel room last night so had to turn around and drive home -- to Pittsburgh. How'd this event grow so huge?

[Allan Lynch]

Didn't they ask you for advice? Caribana has been this big for several years. Toronto's Gay Pride is even bigger. Plus both the Toronto International and Gay Film Festivals sell out the city. You never go to a festival city without accommodations booked in advance.

 

I was in London in June. There's Ladies' Day at Ascot, Wimbledon, Lords, and a few other things on. Plus regular business. The Travelodge at Covent Garden was charging 229 quid a night! And The Savoy was totally booked!!

 

When I was a sales director and a publisher I always told my sales team never to judge business by their wallet. The headlines may be about the sad US and UK economy, but people - especially those with money - are still travelling, still spending and still able to afford better quality accommodations.

[Ed Wetschler]

"Didn't they ask you for advice?" Wish they had, Allan, but these two dear people in their 60s are like impulsive college kids with their first car. They take these long, long road trips, confident that surely they'll find a good place to crash.

And boy, are you right about never going to a festival city without accommodations booked in advance.

[Jeannine Crooks]

We were guests at Caribana a few years ago, and it was very, very crowded.  Our hotel was many miles away, and traffic was very tough, but it sure was worth it.  Hopefully they found it all worthwhile!  It certainly was colorful and musical.