August 17, 2026 - Convicted: Hermain Travels Ltd., Omar Raees and Rumsha Omar
Mississauga, ONT. – After being charged by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), Hermain Travels Ltd. and Omar Raees pleaded guilty to one count each of operating as a travel agent without being registered.
Additionally, Omar Raees and Rumsha Omar pleaded guilty to one count each of being an Officer and Director of a corporation and failing to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence.
It was found that Omar Raees and Hermain Travels Ltd. acted as a travel agency and offered Hajj travel packages without TICO registration.
Omar Raees was fined $9,375 and Rumsha Omar was fined $1,250, both inclusive of a victim surcharge. Hermain Travels Ltd. received a suspended sentence. All three received a probation order that includes a condition prohibiting them from working or operating in the travel industry, while based in Ontario, unless they first obtain TICO registration.
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 prosecutes unregistered companies and individuals to maintain the integrity of Ontario’s travel marketplace, giving consumers confidence when purchasing travel from registered professionals, while ensuring a level playing field for registered businesses.
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.
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Media contact
Kristina Wilson
Stakeholder Relations Manager