TORONTO — TICO is addressing questions about registrants’ responsibilities under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (the Act) and Ontario Regulation 26/05 (the Regulation) in the wake of the situation in Israel.

As reported last week, the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for the region, tour operators have suspended trip departures and Air Canada has suspended flights until at least Oct. 31.

TICO registrar Dorian Werda notes that registrants are required to warn customers of the war. “Prior to reserving travel services for a customer, a travel agent shall bring to the customer’s attention any conditions that the travel agent has reason to believe may affect the customer’s decision to make the purchase.”

This would include any safety concerns relating to the travel destination at the time of booking, regardless of whether the government has issued a travel advisory for that destination.

Travel agents may also have a continuing obligation to inform customers of a deteriorating situation in the travel destination after the travel services have been reserved. “After booking, if there is a change to any matter that is referred to in a representation (e.g., an advertisement or brochure) that, if known, might have affected the customer’s decision to purchase, the registrant shall promptly advise the customer of the change.”

More on the above, plus other topics including terms and conditions, duties of registrants who resell travel services, registrants’ responsibilities when it comes to accommodation, flights and other transportation, can be found here.

Questions can be directed to TICO’s compliance team at tico@tico.ca or 1-888-451-TICO (8426).