TICO Registration Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often must TICO registrants renew their registration to remain in good standing?
- Every 6 months
- Annually (once per year) (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Every 3 years
Correct answer: Annually (once per year)
TICO registrations must be renewed annually, ensuring that registrants continue to meet ongoing requirements and that TICO's records remain current.
Question 2: What is the legal consequence of operating as a travel agent in Ontario without a valid TICO registration?
- A warning letter is issued for a first offence
- The operator is penalized only if a consumer complaint is filed
- The operator is committing an offence under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (Correct answer)
- The operator simply pays a late renewal fee to regularize their status
Correct answer: The operator is committing an offence under the Travel Industry Act, 2002
Operating without a valid TICO registration is an offence under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, subject to significant fines and other penalties.
Question 3: Which individuals associated with a corporate travel agency applicant must personally meet TICO's fit and proper requirements?
- All employees, regardless of role
- Only the registered travel agent employees
- Directors and officers of the corporation (Correct answer)
- The senior accountant and financial officers only
Correct answer: Directors and officers of the corporation
Directors and officers of a corporate applicant must meet TICO's fit and proper requirements because they control the direction of the business.
Question 4: Under what general standard can TICO refuse to grant registration to an applicant?
- Only if the applicant has been convicted of criminal fraud
- If the applicant is not fit and proper to carry on business as a registrant (Correct answer)
- Only if the applicant has prior travel industry complaints on record
- If the applicant has previously operated in another Canadian province
Correct answer: If the applicant is not fit and proper to carry on business as a registrant
TICO may refuse registration if an applicant is not considered fit and proper to carry on business, a broad standard covering character, financial standing, and competence.
Question 5: What must a registrant do when there is a material change to information previously submitted to TICO in their registration application?
- Wait until the next annual renewal cycle to update the information
- Notify TICO of the change within the required timeframe (Correct answer)
- Report changes only if they directly affect consumer-facing operations
- File an amendment only if TICO specifically requests an update
Correct answer: Notify TICO of the change within the required timeframe
Registrants have an ongoing obligation to notify TICO of material changes to their registration information within the required timeframe, keeping TICO's records accurate.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of TICO's fit and proper assessment during the registration process?
- To ensure applicants hold formal travel industry education certificates from accredited institutions
- To verify that applicants have sufficient revenue to pay annual TICO fees
- To determine whether an applicant has the character and competence to protect consumers (Correct answer)
- To confirm that applicants have at least three years of industry experience
Correct answer: To determine whether an applicant has the character and competence to protect consumers
The fit and proper assessment evaluates an applicant's character, financial standing, and competence to ensure they can operate in a manner that protects consumers.
Question 7: Which statement about TICO registration for travel wholesalers is accurate?
- Travel wholesalers who sell only to travel agents and not directly to consumers do not need TICO registration
- Travel wholesalers operating in Ontario must be registered with TICO under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (Correct answer)
- Travel wholesalers are federally regulated and are exempt from TICO registration
- Travel wholesalers only require registration if they also act as retail travel agents
Correct answer: Travel wholesalers operating in Ontario must be registered with TICO under the Travel Industry Act, 2002
Travel wholesalers operating in Ontario must be registered with TICO under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, even if they do not sell directly to consumers.
TICO Registration Requirements 2
How often must TICO registrants renew their registration to remain in good standing?