Toronto, ONT. (TNWS) - Toronto is open for business and there are some great deals to be had during the Pan Am Parapan Games, says one downtown business owner.

Restaurateur Fred Luk is urging residents and visitors alike to take advantage of this time to rediscover the downtown core and dine at some of the 200 restaurants taking part in annual Summerlicious dining program.

 "Toronto hotels has many unsold rooms originally blocked for Pan Am Games visitors," says Luk. "Convention Centre and hotels were also told not to book conventions during the Games results in lower -than-usual occupancy rates."

 "Reasonable hotel room rates along with shorter lines in Toronto's major culture landmarks, theatres and attractions presents exciting entertainment options for Torontonians like never before."

The popular business owner is encouraging people to visit our cultural landmarks, eat at some of the fine restaurants now participating in Summerlicious or take in the exciting events of the Games themselves.

"Whether the estimated 250,000 visitors comes to the GTA, and whatever your feeling about the games, Toronto will remain open for business," the long-time Toronto booster says.

On any busy night, it is not unusual to have 60,000 fans flock to the Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre for simultaneous events while thousands attend meetings at the Convention Centre and shows at the Princess of Wales Theatre or Roy Thomson Hall.

 "How many people — mere blocks away — even notice such surges?" Luk asks. "Some level of event-related congestion is simply part of living in a diverse, multicultural city with lots to offer."

 He is bothered by all the negative publicity surrounding traffic woes for the Games and warns that Toronto can absorb a number of major events simultaneously without skipping a beat.

 "I challenge Torontonians to get their partner or a friend, find another couple and come downtown," advises Luk. "Your drive will be 20 per cent faster than a normal Toronto commute and when you get here, you can enjoy a Summerlicious meal and enjoy whatever cultural or tourist events or attractions you wish with little or no lineups." 

He is calling on Torontonians to explore their downtown and "with a modicum of forethought and planning, you will see and enjoy this City like never before."

The Games will showcase 51 different sports distributed over 16 host municipalities. The events taking place in Toronto are spread across the City. A quarter-million people dispersed over a 100-kilometre stretch from Hamilton to Scarborough will hardly make an impact on our city’s own great daily migration. Every working day Toronto’s population grows by more than 450,000 as commuters from outside the city enter it and more than 800,000 people move from one part of the city to another, Luk notes.

For further information, contact Fred Luk at:

[email protected]

or by phone 416-971-9155

Release prepared and distributed by Toronto News Wire Services at torontonewswire.com or 416-251-7329.