The Travel Industry Council of Ontario is a self-managed, not-for-profit corporation that was formed in 1997 to administer the Ontario Travel Industry Act. It assumed responsibility from the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services (MCBS), formerly the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). Although TICO administers the Act, authority for regulation and legislation remains with the Ontario government. On July 1, 2005, the Travel Industry Act was replaced with the Travel Industry Act, 2002.

TICO is a wholly financed by biannual registration fees paid by Ontario travel agencies and travel wholesalers. The Travel Industry Compensation Fund is financed entirely by Ontario travel industry registrants through contributions based on their sales revenues.

TICO has its own Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and manages its own financial and operational affairs. CEO Michael Pepper is also Registrar of the Travel Industry Act, 2002. TICO's 15-member Board of Directors consists of 11 industry representatives and four ministerial appointees.

Mission and Mandate
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario's mission is to promote a fair and informed marketplace where consumers can be confident in their travel purchases. They also support the mission of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services (MCBS) to maintain a fair, safe and informed marketplace as it relates to Ontario's Travel Industry Act, 2002.

They accomplish this through developing high standards and efficient, effective and relevant regulatory mechanisms in areas such as:

• consumer protection
• consumer education and awareness
• registration, inspection, supervision and discipline of registrants
• investigating and mediating disputes between consumers and registrants

TICO has set up programs to support their mandate that aim to promote fair and ethical competition in the industry, support a Code of Ethics, maintain and enforce consumer compensation programs and encourage legislative and regulatory amendments aimed at industry professionalism and consumer confidence.
 

The Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund is governed by Ontario Regulation 26/05 made under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. The Fund is totally financed by registered travel agents and travel wholesalers in Ontario and is administered by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), whose Board of Directors determine whether a claim or a part of one, meets the requirements of the Regulation. The Board is comprised of individuals appointed by the Association of Canadian Travel Agents - Ontario, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators, the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors, the Ontario Motor Coach Association, the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services and individuals elected by registered travel agents and wholesalers.

Subject to the Regulation, the Fund provides reimbursement of monies paid to an Ontario registered travel agent for travel services that are not provided due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of an Ontario registrant or an end supplier airline or cruise line, where a reimbursement has not otherwise been provided. As long as the consumer has dealt through a registered Ontario travel retailer, a claim may be filed against the Compensation Fund for the non-provision of travel services, even if payment was made directly to the travel supplier via credit card.

You can request a claim form to be sent to you by e-mail: tico@tico.ca