When TICO Takes Action
No one may act as, or hold themselves out as, a travel agent or travel wholesaler unless registered under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (TIA, s. 4(1)). TICO administers the Act, and its Registrar decides whether a registration is granted, renewed, suspended or revoked.
Changes passed but not yet in force. 2017 amendments will replace “travel agent” and “travel wholesaler” with “travel seller” and “travel salesperson,” and add an administrative penalty regime. These are to come into force on a day to be named by proclamation and were not in force when this page was checked. This page describes the law currently in force.
Who Investigates and Who Decides
- Registrar
- Decides registrations, handles complaints and can issue proposals (TIA, ss. 3, 10–11, 16).
- Inspections
- The Registrar or a designate may inspect business premises and records to check compliance, deal with a complaint, or confirm continued entitlement to registration (s. 17).
- Investigations
- Investigators appointed by the Director can obtain search warrants (ss. 19–20).
- Licence Appeal Tribunal
- Hears registration proposals if you request a hearing (s. 11).
- Discipline and appeals committees
- Hear alleged breaches of the code of ethics (s. 18).
Grounds
The grounds for refusal or revocation include financial irresponsibility, past conduct suggesting the business will not be carried on lawfully and with integrity and honesty, false statements in an application, and carrying on activities in contravention of the Act (s. 8(1); s. 10(1)).
What Can Happen Next
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Complaint
The Registrar may request information from any registrant about a complaint, and a registrant must provide it as soon as practicable (TIA, s. 16(1)–(3)). The Registrar may mediate, issue a written warning, refer the matter to the discipline committee, or start a proposal (s. 16(4)).
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Notice of Proposal
The Registrar must give written notice before refusing or suspending or revoking a registration, imposing conditions you have not consented to, or refusing to name a branch office (s. 11(1)).
Deadline
You are entitled to a hearing by the Licence Appeal Tribunal if you mail or deliver a written request to the Registrar and the Tribunal within 15 days after service of the notice (s. 11(2)). A notice sent by registered mail is deemed served on the third day after mailing (s. 36(2)). If you do not request a hearing, the Registrar may carry out the proposal (s. 11(4)).
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Temporary suspension
If it is in the public interest, the Registrar can temporarily suspend a registration immediately when proposing suspension or revocation (s. 12(1)–(2)). If you request a hearing, the order expires 15 days after the Tribunal receives your request unless the hearing starts within that time and the Tribunal extends it (s. 12(3)).
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Discipline
The discipline committee can order education, a fine of up to $25,000, and costs (s. 18(4)). A party may appeal to the appeals committee, which may overturn, affirm or modify the order (s. 18(5)–(6)). Decisions are made public as prescribed (s. 18(10)).
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After the Tribunal
A Tribunal order takes effect immediately even if appealed, but the Tribunal may grant a stay (s. 11(9)).
Checklist: Responding to TICO
Documents to gather
- The notice and proof of service
- Customer files, invoices and trust account records
- Advertising materials for the bookings involved
- Corporate records and disclosures of officers, directors and shareholders
- Financial statements and filings made to TICO
Ongoing duties to check
- Notifying the Registrar of required changes within five days (s. 24)
- Reporting share issues or transfers of 10% or more within 30 days (s. 15)
- Avoiding false, misleading or deceptive advertising (s. 28)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my registration continue while I renew?
If you apply to renew on time, the registration generally continues until the renewal is granted or, where a refusal is proposed, until the hearing request period ends or the Tribunal decides (s. 11(8)).
Can TICO impose administrative penalties?
Administrative penalty provisions were added in 2017, but they had not been proclaimed in force when this page was checked.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Travel Industry Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. D, ss. 3–4, 8, 10–18, 24, 28, 34.1–34.5 (not in force), 36 — Checked November 11, 2026.