The Greater Toronto Airports Authority: Helping Tourism Take Off
Author: Tourism Mississauga
More than a transportation hub, Pearson Airport brings loved ones and tourists to Mississauga to discover its incredible businesses and attractions. It’s both the main landing point for visitors to Ontario and a key partner in Mississauga’s tourism strategy.
As Pearson’s operator, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) connects us to the world. As of 2019, 50.5 million passengers passed through annually and despite the challenges of the past two years, the GTAA is dedicated to safely welcoming the world back to Mississauga.
It’s this commitment that sealed them as the recipients of MBOT’s inaugural Mississauga Tourism Resiliency Award 2022 presented by Tourism Mississauga – but it’s not just locals who’ve taken notice. The renowned Airports Council International (ACI) also named Pearson its “Best Large Airport in North America” based on its safety measures and exemplary service in the face of the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19.
“We are thrilled to have won our first-ever Mississauga Tourism Resiliency award,” said CEO Deborah Flint. “This award is a tribute to the tireless efforts of airport frontline workers, and a testament to Toronto Pearson’s resilience and adaptability throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
As demand for travel recovers, Government of Canada public health requirements and staffing challenges have contributed to above average congestion across Canadian airports. Canadian airports and airlines are working collaboratively with government on concrete solutions to unlock summer 2022 travel, as we know Toronto Pearson must be at the forefront of enabling Mississauga’s tourism ecosystem. In addition to their own efforts to create seamless customer experiences, the sector also advocates for measures to support the air sector recovery and limit disruption to travellers.
Throughout the pandemic, the GTAA has implemented innovative solutions to keep the air sector moving, including its award-winning Passenger Queue System (PQS) designed to improve the boarding experience. Through this technology, they collaborated with airlines to give passengers easier access to flight info through their phones, minimizing crowding and queues at gates.
“For over two years, the GTAA has faced unique challenges while serving customers in keeping with the latest public health requirements,” said Victoria Clarke, CEO, Tourism Mississauga. “We are so grateful for their agility in light of ever-changing guidelines, as well as their ongoing partnership. As the community grows, so does the need for dedicated partners and the GTAA has proven time and time again that they are truly a pillar of Mississauga tourism and the business community.”