MISSISSAUGA — TICO has posted on its website additional Q&As that were submitted during its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Due to the high volume of questions submitted by members at the virtual meeting, held on Sept. 26, TICO was unable to respond to them all live. These questions have now been answered and can be viewed here. 

One member asked: “With the steady decrease in the number of Ontario registrants, the anticipated increase in fees for registration and the Consumer Compensation Fund, and the debt load being carried from the COVID-19 pandemic, how do TICO and the Ontario Government plan to reverse this downward trend of travel businesses and stand behind the message that Ontario is ‘Open for Business’?”

TICO answered: “The number of TICO registrants has declined consistently over the years, including before the pandemic. However, the travel marketplace (pre-pandemic) reflected healthy growth. In fact, the two years prior to the pandemic were record years as measured by Ontario sales. TICO’s mandate focuses on consumer protection. Our consumer awareness messaging across all channels consistently recommends all consumers to use a registered travel agency for their travel needs. This message is core to all our communications and supports the idea that Ontario is indeed open for business. TICO cannot speak on behalf of the Ontario government.”

Another member asked: “Various TICO Boards over the years have advocated with the Ministry for a consumer pay model. Have there been any cost and burden estimates made (including process and system requirements) for a made-in-Ontario model that would have a registrant collect a separate fee (presumably mostly on a credit card merchant account), track it, and remit it to TICO?”

TICO’s response: “A legislated consumer pay model was beyond the scope of the current funding review. Such a model, if considered, would likely include significant legislative changes, and corresponding changes to TICO’s mandate and operations. To date, a comprehensive business case for a “made-in-Ontario” legislated consumer pay model has not been completed by TICO. The scope of the current funding framework and fee review is covered in the various fee consultation communications now underway. For more information, please visit the funding framework and fee review page on TICO’s website.”

TICO fielded several questions about Ontario travel industry’s Compensation Fund during the virtual AGM, which was attended by over 150 members and travel industry professionals. Prior to the AGM, TICO launched a consultation process about its funding framework and fee model proposals, including the Compensation Fun, which involved both registrants and stakeholders. 

Calls for changes to the Comp Fund have been ongoing for years, and in particular over this past year after TICO launched the review process back in September 2022.

Last month, following the AGM, TICO released its proposals for its future funding framework, fee structure and Compensation Fund, with no mention of a consumer-pay model, which registrants and organizations like ACTA and CATO (Canadian Association of Tour Operators) have long advocated for. 

To read Travelweek’s coverage of TICO’s AGM, click here. 

To read all outstanding questions submitted during the AGM and TICO’s responses, click here.