Is Hamilton ready for international tourism?
Restaurants are on point, but air travel and accommodations need work
Hamilton’s renaissance was, for a finite window of time, a secret that only those who ventured across the Skyway were privy to. Like little explorers passing through the back of a wardrobe, curious Ontarians northwest of the Hammer crossed the threshold and entered an unexpectedly magical landscape.
Despite the rapid growth and development of Hamilton’s strong arts and culture assets, outsider perceptions of Hamilton have remained coloured by a history of rough-around-the-edges industrialism. However, as more and more people discover the city for themselves, our new reputation is gaining prominence.
Climbing to present day, WestJet Magazine’s January issue has named Hamilton one of their Top 10 travel destinations of 2018. We’re on the radar as a hot spot to visit and explore, and not just for those in driving distance. Our shiny new pin on the air travel map is both an honour and a new call to action.
My first thought when I read the WestJet Mag article was, “Yay, good for us!” My second thought was, “Is Hamilton ready to be a global tourist destination?”
Consideration No. 1: Getting here.
If we want to attract more than day-trippers, we need to consider the viability of our air travel options. There is a small roster of passenger airlines with routes to and from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), but it’s primarily a cargo hub. The routes that are offered to passengers are mainly focused on sunny beach vacations to places like Mexico and Cuba, and domestic travel between a limited listing of Canadian cities.
At this point, a large percentage of prospective visitors would be forced to fly into Pearson (YYZ) in Mississauga, or Billy Bishop (YTZ) in Toronto, and take ground transportation from there. This is pretty easy for those savvy in locating and utilizing public transit — a GO bus connects YYZ to the Hamilton GO Centre, and travellers arriving at YTZ can take the free shuttle to Toronto Union Station and a GO bus express to Hamilton from there — but it’s a bit of a hassle, and will likely dissuade some from visiting Hamilton over the much more accessible Toronto.
I have travelled via YYZ and YTZ from Hamilton. I have never travelled via YHM. It is not currently adapted to a tourism framework, but this can change, and I believe it will need to for Hamilton to draw in a significant number of international travellers. As of the time this article has gone to print, I have not received feedback from YHM on their mid- to long-term goals.
Consideration No. 2: Staying here.
Well, Hamilton has hotels. That’s about the extent of our bragging rights on the topic of accommodations. We have a Sheraton, a Best Western, a Marriott. They’re most definitely part of the foundation of a tourism industry, but we’re lacking an elevated hospitality experience commonly found in urban tourist areas.
Boutique hotels are more than just a place to sleep — they’re a luxury and a novelty in themselves. Toronto landmarks like the Drake Hotel and the Gladstone Hotel are prime examples of what I think should represent Hamilton’s hospitality goals. They’re trendy and art-centric, with individually designed guest rooms, deluxe and local amenities, upscale food and beverages, and culturally progressive event calendars.
Hamilton has no such hotels that I’m aware of, or at least that appear easily in a Google search. To attract visitors from afar, we need accommodations that are sought after not just for their beds but also for their unique, award-winning atmospheres and brag-worthy social standings. For the trendy traveller, a Drake or a Gladstone can provide the finishing touches that take a trip from great to once-in-alifetime.
Consideration No. 3: Indulging here.
Now this is where we shine. The foodie scene is just what WestJet Magazine cites as their reason for recommending us. Restaurant groups such as Equal Parts Hospitality (Aberdeen Tavern, the French, the Diplomat), and the Other Bird (Rapscallion Rogue Eatery, the Mule, Two Black Sheep), and a bounty of visionary chefs including Manny Ferreira (Mezcal TNT, Uno Mas, and brand new upscale nightlife venue Baroque) are assembling a veritable playground for the gastronomically inclined.
These establishments, in similar style to boutique hotels, are designed to be equilateral triangles of impeccable and distinct atmosphere, service, and food and drink. As far as I’m concerned, they know their geometry.
Hamilton offers an exciting array of quality restaurants and bars, but this represents only one piece of the tourism pie. While I’m not aware of any official plans to open a boutique hotel, I have heard the term tossed around among those who understand what it takes to be an urban cultural hub. It’s ambitious and creative entities like these — Hamilton’s hospitality heroes — that I predict will take an increasingly holistic approach to defining our tourism industry.
As for getting here, the magical wardrobe has served us on a small scale, but eventually we’ll need some more airplanes.