Toronto’s Hotel Crisis: Act Now Before the World Arrives!

Toronto’s hotel crisis is out of control – and it’s about to get worse:

    •    Outrageous prices: Even basic downtown hotels like the Hampton Inn now cost $300+ per night during peak periods.

    •    Severe shortage: The Greater Toronto Area has only ~36,000 hotel rooms – far below cities that we will soon eclipse in population and tourism demand like Chicago  (~105,000+).

    •    Losing affordable downtown options: The Chelsea & Courtyard hotels (2,000+ rooms total) are set for redevelopment with little or no replacement.

    •    Big events at risk: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other massive events coming, our lack of rooms could be detrimental to Toronto’s economy and reputation.

    •    The solution: Incentivize hotel development in high demand areas, hotels in large developments and the replacement of 100% of existing rooms in hotel redevelopments, convert underused office buildings, and create new hotels on subway/GO lines.

Sign now to demand action – and keep reading for the full details.

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Full Version (for those who want more info)

 I studied tourism in college. In my studies, we often talked about sustainable and equitable travel.  But in my own city, Toronto, hotel prices have become outrageous – and the situation is only getting worse.

The Problem

    •    Unaffordable prices: Even mid-range downtown hotels like the Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn may cost you $300+ per night during peak periods.

    •    Too few rooms: Toronto has only ~36,000 hotel rooms in the GTA – far less than comparable cities like in Chicago’s metro area (~105,000).

    •    Losing affordable hotels: Planned redevelopments of the Chelsea and Courtyard by Marriott will remove 2,000+ rooms downtown, with little or no replacement.

    •    Almost no budget options left: The only hotels not in short supply are 5-star luxury hotels – far out of reach for average travelers.

Why It Matters

Toronto’s hotel shortage is now so extreme that it may be one of or the worst in the world for a major downtown area. Even cities with more visitors have far more hotel capacity which helps keep prices reasonable.

With major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming, this shortage is a serious threat:

    •    Visitors will be forced to stay far outside the city, hurting local businesses.

    •    Toronto risks damaging its reputation as a world-class destination for conferences, festivals, and international events.

What Needs to Happen

We call on the City of Toronto to take immediate action:

    1.   Provide financial incentives to new hotel developments in high demand areas (Downtown, Yorkville, Yonge and Eglinton, Yorkdale/Downsview, Humber Bay Shores, North York Centre etc.)

    2.    Require hotel components in large residential/mixed-use projects (1,000+ residential units) to ensure balanced development.

    3.    Convert underused office buildings into hotels to quickly increase capacity and revitalize empty commercial spaces.

    4.    Encourage large-scale conference hotels and even Las Vegas-style casino resorts on subway and GO lines outside the core to spread tourism benefits citywide.

Why This Is Urgent

    •    Sustainable tourism isn’t just about the environment – it’s about making travel accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.

    •    Toronto’s hotel prices are already among the highest in North America for mid-range brands.

    •    Without action, hotel rooms will be unaffordable for families, school groups, and even business travelers, driving away visitors and events that fuel our economy.

    •    The 2026 World Cup is a critical test. We must act now to ensure visitors have affordable places to stay, boosting local businesses and showing the world that Toronto is a welcoming, world-class city.

Sign this petition to demand that Toronto finally prioritizes hotel development – before it’s too late.