MISSISSAUGA — TICO has laid charges against Holy Destinations Travel Inc.

Charges include: 11 counts of failing to deposit consumer money in a trust account; 11 counts of making representations that are false, misleading or deceptive; and one count of failing to provide the Registrar with a letter stating the date when it ceased operations and the location where business records are kept.

Mohamed Hachemi Bensaci has also been charged with one count of being an Officer and Director of a corporation and failing to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb 8, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario. Individuals convicted in Court of offences relating to the Travel Industry Act, 2002 are subject to fines of up to $50,000 and/or prison terms of up to two years. Corporations are subject to fines of up to $250,000.

TICO revoked the registration of Holy Destinations Travel Inc. on July 26, 2023, after receiving consumer complaints alleging that the travel agency collected consumer payments without providing the travel services consumers had purchased.

Holy Destinations Travel Inc. specialized in Islamic holy pilgrimages – including Hajj and Umrah – to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Consumers impacted by the closure of Holy Destinations Travel Inc. have until Monday, January 29, 2024, to file a claim with the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. For more details, click here.