Advisory: Travel bookings to Mexico
February 23, 2026
Mississauga, ONT – TICO is monitoring the evolving situation in parts of Mexico and understands that news of unrest can be concerning for travellers and the advisors supporting them.
“Travel advisors are an essential partner in helping consumers navigate an increasingly complex travel landscape,” said TICO CEO Richard Smart. “With the industry once again facing challenges, including those affecting travel to parts of Mexico, advisors continue to provide critical guidance on consumer protection and making adjustments when plans are disrupted.”
For registrants with travellers currently in destination:
- Safety is the top priority. Travellers are encouraged to shelter-in-place and follow all instructions from local authorities.
- Under section 40 of the Regulation, the timing of a scheduled departure can be delayed or advanced by more than 24 hours when there is a safety consideration. Consumers must be notified on a timely basis.
- Encourage travellers to stay in close contact with the airline, tour operator, or travel agency for the latest operational updates.
- Travellers should register with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service so officials can get in touch with important information, and continue to review the Government of Canada’s latest travel advisories for Mexico.
- Travellers should contact their travel insurance provider, if applicable, to understand what coverage is available.
For registrants with travellers whose southbound flights to affected areas have been cancelled:
Packaged travel
Under Ontario law, if a travel agency or tour operator acquires rights to travel services for resale and is unable to provide the travel services because a supplier fails to deliver them (e.g., flight to destination), customers must be offered their choice of:
- A refund;
- Comparable alternate travel services acceptable to the customer; or
- A voucher or similar document that is acceptable to the customer for future redemption towards travel services.
If a customer prefers a full refund for a travel package, Ontario’s consumer protection laws require a refund be provided within a reasonable timeframe.
Relevant section of the Regulation: 46
For registrants with travellers with future bookings:
Terms and conditions
Where suppliers continue to deliver services, customers remain subject to the booking’s terms and conditions, including any applicable change or cancellation penalties.
While some suppliers may choose to offer a goodwill gesture to their customers, registrants should consider all their contractual and legal obligations in determining how to address the situation.
Relevant section of the Regulation: 36
Conditions affecting travel purchase decisions
Registrants are required to warn customers of the evolving nature of conditions in parts of Mexico. 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.
TICO encourages registrants to continue checking the Government of Canada’s Mexico travel advisory regularly, as the situation may change.
Relevant section of the Regulation: 36(a)
Advising customers of changing conditions
Registrants 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 any material information previously communicated to the customer changes (e.g., details from an advertisement or brochure) that may have influenced their purchase decision, the registrant must promptly inform the customer.
Relevant section of the Regulation: 37
Additional resources:
- Registrants are encouraged to monitor supplier websites for the latest updates on service availability and goodwill gestures.
- For potential compensation and regulations for air-only cancellations and delays, advisors and passengers should refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
Questions?
If you have questions, please email
About TICO
Formed in 1997, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) regulates Ontario’s approximately 1,900 travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators. TICO administers the Travel Industry Act, 2002. As a consumer protection organization, TICO facilitates a consumer complaints process and administers the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. By booking travel with a TICO-registered business, consumers have access to added protection. To verify if a company is registered with TICO, and for helpful information and resources, visit www.tico.ca.
-30-
Media contact
Kristina Wilson
Stakeholder Relations Manager