Beach(es) Beat

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Tourists. It is very easy to tell when summer comes to Toronto. It is the time of year when editorial writers, politicians and ordinary citizens from every walk of life rise up and with one voice demand to know why tourists don't love us any more.

Thousands of dollars are spent on surveys designed to find out exactly why all those lovely visitors with their lovely bulging wallets are not thronging to our streets like they did in days of yore.

Many reasons are advanced to explain the alleged decline such as the strong Canadian loonie and tired old attractions, but I believe the real reason Toronto may be losing its appeal is because of all the noise.

It is the noise that comes from all that breast-beating as we agonize over what is the matter with Toronto; the truth is there is not anything wrong with Toronto that can't be fixed. I have never bought the argument that our attractions are getting stale because those attractions are part of the reason that visitors come here in the first place.

People still tour the Empire State Building whenever they visit New York and Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square is still a must-see during a London trip despite the fact that it was erected 124 years before the Toronto Maple Leafs captured the Stanley Cup.

Mow the grass, make sure the paint stays fresh and instruct the staff to smile at visitors are all steps that are easy to make and while I know there is a lot more to the tourism business than that, I am sure you will agree it is a move in the right direction. And here's another thing.

We are constantly dreaming up new slogans designed to coax people to come pay us a visit and I think this wheedling sort of approach is not the right one to take.

Accept us for what we are I say since the zoo isn't going to adjust because it doesn't have to and neither do neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Kensington Market or Little Italy. As for our beloved Beach area, I would not change so much as one grain of sand although I do admit it would be nice if the lake warmed up a little during the swimming season.

Within reason, I believe we are just fine the way we are and visitors should accept this. And that is why I submit this slogan that should be proudly displayed on all roads leading to the city: Toronto, Like it or Lump it!