TICO Education Standards for Ontario Travel Counsellors and Supervisor/Managers8

Travel wholesaler–Is the legal term for “a person who acquires rights to travel services for the purpose of resale to a travel retailer or who carries on the business of dealing with travel retailers or travel wholesalers for the sale of travel services provided by another person.” However, the legal term travel wholesaler may also refer to a business and not only an individual (sole proprietor). NOTE: For the purpose of this Study Manual, the term “travel wholesaler” and “tour operator” will be used interchangeably.

Travel counsellor – A travel counsellor is an individual who must be in the employment of or under contract for a travel retailer for the purposes of selling to customers on behalf of the travel retailer. They must complete and pass the Travel Counsellor exam.

Outside sales representative – An outside sales representative is a travel counsellor who works from a location other than the registered office of a travel retailer. However, all sales must be processed through the registered travel retailer, either in person or by electronic means. In addition, the registrant must record the outside sales representative as either an employee or a contractor for the company. An outside sales representative may also be an employee of a travel wholesaler who contacts travel retailers, either in person or by mail, telephone, or email with the purpose of selling travel services. An outside sales representative is bound by the Act and Regulation in the same way as any other seller of travel services. They must have a written contract with a registrant.

Registrant – A registrant is a travel retailer or a travel wholesaler who is registered as a travel retailer, travel wholesaler, or both under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. NOTE: For this Study Manual, the term “registrant” will also be used to refer to businesses that hold BOTH a travel retailer (travel agency/website) registration AND a travel wholesaler (tour operator) registration to operate in Ontario.

Non-registrant – A non-registrant is an organization, company or individual that sells or supplies travel services but is not registered in Ontario. Examples include:

travel wholesalers and travel retailers not located in Ontario;

companies that sell to clients in Ontario by means of advertising, the Internet, or toll-free phone line, but whose home base or call centre is not located in Ontario;

end suppliers (e.g., airlines, hotels, rail services, cruise lines) that may or may not be located in Ontario; and

anyone who is operating in Ontario illegally.

TICO - The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is a self-managed, not-for-profit corporation, responsible for administration and enforcement of the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 and Ontario Regulation 26/05 on behalf of the Ontario government. In addition, TICO administers an industry-financed Travel Compensation Fund.

Registrar – The TICO Board of Directors appoints a Registrar to carry out its administrative and regulatory functions. The Registrar’s powers and functions are described in the Act. Essentially, the Registrar supervises the administration of the Act and Regulation, including registration procedures (such as changes and renewals), financial procedures, advertising and site inspections, complaints, discipline, and the Compensation Fund (including claims