Luring tourists back to Toronto’s downtown area following the chaotic and violent G20 weekend is a top priority for businesses and city officials.

Spending at stores, restaurants and almost every other business dropped dramatically during the June 25-27 summit that left a trail of broken windows, smashed ATMs, graffiti and burning police cars along Queen and Yonge Sts, according to Moneris Solution, a debit and credit card processing company.

There are fears that Internet and media images of a burning Toronto Police cruiser and windows being smashed by protesters during the G20 may keep visitors away from the city. More than 900 people were arrested during the meeting of world leaders. Most were released without charges.

“The G20 summit hit businesses like us really hard,” said Janice Solomon, of the Entertaiment District Business Improvement Area. “Things appear to be bouncing back and we are on an uspswing.”

Solomon said many merchants are working harder to recoup losses suffered during the summit. Close to 40 vendors located around the Metro Convention Centre have returned to work after being sent packing.

“We suffered a pretty dramatic loss in business,” said Solomon. “We are looking forward to a good healthy summer.”

She said challenges of the G20 weekend worsened with the cancellation of the highly-anticipated series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies and other downtown events.

Some city officials have estimated the G20 sparked business losses of up to $500,000.

Andrew Weir, of Tourism Toronto, said hotels in the city had a occupancy rate of more than 90% during the G20.

Many in the hotels were cops assigned to secure the event.

“The summer is an important season for us,” Weir said. “We have many big ticket events coming up in Toronto and each one has a loyal following.”

Weir said ads promoting Toronto as a tourist destination are slated to appear in newspwpers, the Internet, and on radio and television.

He said the city has some major conventions coming up and his officials are trying to lure visitors from Southern Ontario and Europe.