Registration Information
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is mandated by the Ontario government to administer the Travel Industry Act, 2002. All travel retailers and travel wholesalers selling travel services from a location in the Province of Ontario are required to be registered under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 with TICO.
Selling travel services in and from the Province of Ontario without TICO registration is a contravention of the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and may result in charges being laid under the Act. This also applies to anyone who has submitted a TICO Application for Registration which is pending approval from TICO.
Useful Definitions from the Travel Industry Act, 2002
Travel Retailer: A travel retailer, also known as a travel agency or online travel agency, sells travel services directly to individual consumers. The Act refers to a travel retailer as a travel agent and defines “travel agent as a person who sells travel services provided by another person.”
Travel Wholesaler: A travel wholesaler, also known as a tour operator, acquires rights to travel services with the intention of reselling them to travel retailers. The Act defines a “travel wholesaler as a person who acquires rights to travel services for the purpose of resale to a travel agent or who carries on the business of dealing with travel agents or travel wholesalers for the sale of travel services provided by another person.”
Travel Services: The Act defines “travel services as transportation or sleeping accommodation for the use of a traveller, tourist or sightseer or other services combined with that transportation or sleeping accommodation”.
The requirements for TICO registration can be viewed at the overview and requirements page.
Useful Information
Selling Travel Services Webinar
Are you considering a career in the travel industry in Ontario? Join us for an informative and interactive session hosted by TICO’s Compliance Department. In this webinar, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive overview of the legislated registration requirements for selling travel services from Ontario. Whether you’re a newcomer or an aspiring travel professional, this session is tailored just for you.
Ready to dive in? Sign up now and embark on your journey into the exciting world of selling travel services in Ontario.
Registration Application Fees
Applying for TICO registration requires a $3,000 non-refundable application processing fee for a head office and $800 for a branch office.
Registration Application Processing
To avoid any delay in the processing of the application, applicants are advised to review all the mandatory requirements and ensure that all the supporting documentation and information is obtained before applying for registration. TICO's target processing time for complete applications received is 30 days or sooner. Please refer to the registration overview and requirements page for more information.
Travel Counsellors
Individual travel counsellors do not require registration with TICO. However, all individuals selling travel services directly to the public on behalf of the TICO registered travel retailer must have passed the Travel Counsellor Certification exam*. TICO registered travel sellers are responsible for the actions of the travel counsellors they employ.
Outside Sales Representative
An Outside Sales Representative is a person operating as an independent contractor selling travel services on behalf of the TICO registered travel retailer. An outside sales representative does not require registration with TICO. However, all outside sales representatives selling travel services directly to the public on behalf of the TICO registered travel retailer must have passed the Travel Counsellor Certification exam*. Also, all business conducted must be through the registered travel agency with whom the contract is signed.
* Important Note: Successfully passing the TICO Education Standards Exam provides you the eligibility to sell travel services or provide travel advice to the public on behalf of a TICO registered Ontario travel agency. It does not mean that you are licensed to sell travel services in Ontario.
Travel Seller Operating from Residential Location
Travel sellers may choose to operate from their residential location if they comply with certain requirements.
- Municipal Zoning: The travel seller must provide a letter of confirmation from the municipality to verify that carrying on business from the residential location is permitted by the municipality responsible for enforcing local zoning requirements.
- Business Phone Number: The travel seller must have a separate business telephone number (landline or mobile phone) that is listed under the name under which the travel seller carries on business and is different from any residential and/or personal telephone number.
- Business Records: The travel seller must maintain all books and records at the business premises and ensure that these records are accessible to any Inspector designated by the Registrar.
- Business Address: the travel seller must include its business address (as well as the business name and registration number) in every written representation. Therefore, if a travel seller is operating from a residential location, the travel seller must include this residential address in its representations.
Internet Based Travel Business in Ontario
If a retail or wholesale travel business is based in Ontario and only sells travel services through the Internet, without any walk-in sales, the legislation still requires that the travel seller carry on business from a permanent place of business in Ontario. The travel seller must include its business address (as well as the business name and registration number) on its website.
Shared Office Space
A TICO registered travel seller may share office space with another company but there are some considerations that should be discussed further with TICO’s Registration Team.
Want to learn more?
Explore the overview / requirements page for in-depth details about applying for a TICO registration. If you have any questions, please contact TICO’s registration department at 905-624-6241 ext. 291 or 1-888-451-8426 ext. 291 or email