TORONTO — Clients of travel agents and tour operators should register with Foreign Affairs, according to the Canadian government.

Pierre Lepage, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), met recently with Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Development to discuss this.

“Given the current concerns affecting travel in several parts of the world, we discussed the need for tour operators, travel agents and their clients to always be aware of possible issues of safety and health when planning travel to foreign destinations,” said Lepage. “The Minister asked CATO to assist in reminding clients of the multiple services offered by Consular Services in 260 locations around the world, and easily accessible through its website at travel.gc.ca.”

He said particular emphasis was placed on the need for tour operators and travel agents to advise and remind clients to register with Foreign Affairs, regardless of their destination, so that consular staff would be able to contact and assist them more readily if and when the need arose.

“The government wants to raise awareness of all their Consular services and the importance of registering before leaving the country,” he said.

Lepage said CATO members will be made aware of all the services and asked to assist in communicating the need to register to travel agents and customers.

The Canadian Association of Tour Operators represents and speaks on behalf of the most respected outbound tour companies in Canada. More information on CATO and how to join as a Tour Operator or Supporting Member can be found at cato.ca.