20 Years of Go Tours Canada: Celebrating a Milestone in Toronto Tourism

Only 25% of Canadian businesses make it to 20 years. Last week, Go Tours Canada joined that group with a celebration at The Saucy Milliner, bringing together 50+ guests, partners, and friends who've been part of the journey since launching Toronto's first Distillery District tours in 2005.

The celebration featured a Distillery Historic District Passport Program showcasing some of the neighbourhood's best businesses: Spirit of York Distillery Co., Mill Street Brewery, The Sweet Escape Patisserie, SOMA Chocolatemaker, Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, and Wildly Delicious Preserve Co. Guests spent a sunny afternoon experiencing Distillery District hospitality before gathering for an evening reception—a format that highlights the kind of curated corporate experiences the company has perfected over two decades.

What's Next: Three Major Announcements

From Construction Workers to 250,000 Guests

The company's first Segway was purchased from a construction worker. Twenty years later, those original machines are still running tours through the Distillery District – though the manufacturer no longer makes them and replacement parts are increasingly difficult to source. It's part of why the pivot to electric scooters makes sense for the next chapter.

The business has evolved significantly from those early days. What started as Segway tours has expanded into Distillery District food tours with the Beer and Cheese Tour, the popular Breakfast Tour, and the Prohibition and Spirits Tour. A new Yorkville tour launched the week of the anniversary celebration, marking continued expansion beyond the Distillery District.

The Local Multiplier Effect

Half of Go Tours' guests come from outside Canada, bringing fresh tourism dollars into the local economy. The company's impact extends to the 85+ locally owned and operated businesses in the Distillery District and across downtown Toronto – creating what economists call a local multiplier effect.

This economic impact is why companies increasingly choose Go Tours for Toronto team building activities that support local businesses while creating memorable employee experiences. Every tour connects participants with neighbourhood restaurants, breweries, and artisan shops—strengthening Toronto's small business ecosystem.

The team has prioritized making Tour Guide positions meaningful work with better compensation than typical tourism jobs. Over two decades, dozens of storytellers have guided visitors through Toronto's heritage architecture and hidden gems, sharing the city's history and contemporary culture with visitors from around the world.

Lessons from the Pandemic and Recovery

At one point, Go Tours operated from three locations across Ontario. The pandemic changed that landscape dramatically. The 20th anniversary celebration marked not just survival, but a strategic repositioning focused on food tourism and electric mobility in Toronto's downtown core.

The Distillery District remains central to the company's identity and operations. The neighbourhood's Victorian-era architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and concentration of restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and artisan shops create the perfect environment for walking and Segway tours that blend history with contemporary culture.

Looking Forward: Food Tourism and New Routes

The shift toward food tourism reflects broader changes in how visitors want to experience Toronto. Food tours now connect guests with local producers, brewers, distillers, and chefs – creating experiences that support the local food economy while showcasing what makes Toronto's culinary scene unique.

The company plans aggressive growth in the coming years, building on two decades of experience and relationships throughout the city. The electric scooter tours represent a significant expansion of geographic reach, while maintaining the core mission of connecting visitors with Toronto's neighborhoods, businesses, and stories through immersive walking experiences.

Thank You to Partners and Supporters

The anniversary celebration was made possible by generous sponsors: The Saucy Milliner (venue), Spirit of York Distillery Co., Mill Street Brewery, El Catrin Destileria, The Distillery Historic District, Old Flame Brewing Company, and The Sweet Escape Patisserie.

Special recognition goes to every Tour Guide who has delivered tours over the past 20 years, and to the 250,000 guests who chose Go Tours Canada at the Distillery District, Ontario Place, Toronto Zoo, Hardwood Ski and Bike, or Horseshoe Valley Resort.