September 23, 2026 - TICO Annual Meeting provides update on consumer protection, industry trends and Board elections
Mississauga, ONT. – The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) held its Annual Meeting yesterday, sharing updates on Ontario's travel marketplace, consumer protection activities and key achievements from the past fiscal year.
“Ontario's travel marketplace continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a volatile and changing environment,” said Richard Smart, TICO's CEO. “As expectations evolve, TICO remains focused on protecting consumers, supporting registrants, and continuously improving how we deliver on our mandate to maintain confidence in the marketplace.”
Key updates at the Annual Meeting included:
- Remarks from the Honourable Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, on the importance of helping consumers book with confidence while supporting a healthy travel marketplace in Ontario.
- Market update: Ontario's travel sector remained strong during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with gross sales reaching $18.4 billion, slightly higher than the previous year. Ontarians continue to prioritize travel, though economic pressures, global uncertainty and shifting consumer expectations continue to shape the marketplace.
- Auditor General progress: TICO continued implementing recommendations from the Auditor General's 2023 performance audit, with 91 per cent of actions directed solely to TICO now complete. Over the past year, TICO has focused on improvements that help consumers better understand their rights, make it easier to verify whether a business is registered, and direct regulatory oversight to areas of greater risk.
- Ongoing support for consumers, including responding to nearly 3,000 inquiries, handling 136 written complaints and helping consumers recover more than $95,000 in restitution. TICO also continued to provide guidance and information to help consumers understand their rights and make informed travel decisions.
- Certification Program: Early results from TICO's enhanced Certification Program, launched in January 2026, show more than 90 per cent of students report feeling prepared to apply consumer protection knowledge in their work.
The Annual Meeting was also an opportunity for registrants to elect two Directors to the TICO Board, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to balanced representation:
- Leo Sgovio – Elected industry Director for a three-year term; and
- Christopher Warren – Elected public Director for a three-year term.
TICO acknowledges the commitment and impact of outgoing Directors:
- Michael Levinson – Ministerial appointee and past Chair of the Board
- Robert Townshend – Elected industry Director and past Vice-Chair of the Board
Following TICO’s Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors named Mike Foster as the Vice-Chair of the Board. The Vice-Chair appointment is for one year.
“Serving on TICO’s Board requires a significant commitment, and I want to sincerely thank our outgoing Directors for their leadership and dedication,” said TICO Chair Andrew Gibbons. “Their contributions have left a lasting impact on the organization. I’m also excited to welcome our new Directors and look forward to working together as we continue to respond to the changing needs of consumers and the travel industry.”
A recording of the Annual Meeting will be posted to TICO's website. For more information, view TICO's Annual Report and Business Plan.
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
Director, Stakeholder Relations & Education Services