TICO Role and Mandate 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under which Ontario legislation does TICO derive its authority to regulate the travel industry?
- Tourism Act, 1990
- Travel Industry Act, 2002 (Correct answer)
- Consumer Protection Act, 2002
- Business Practices Act, 1990
Correct answer: Travel Industry Act, 2002
TICO administers and enforces the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002, which governs the registration and conduct of travel agents and wholesalers.
Question 2: Which Ontario government ministry is responsible for overseeing TICO as a delegated administrative authority?
- Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
- Ministry of Economic Development
- Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (Correct answer)
- Ministry of Finance
Correct answer: Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
TICO operates as a delegated administrative authority under the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (formerly Ministry of Government and Consumer Services).
Question 3: TICO's Board of Directors is composed of representatives from which groups?
- Only travel industry professionals
- Only government-appointed consumer advocates
- Both travel industry representatives and consumer representatives (Correct answer)
- Only TICO staff and government officials
Correct answer: Both travel industry representatives and consumer representatives
TICO's Board includes both industry representatives (travel agents and wholesalers) and consumer representatives, balancing industry and public interests.
Question 4: What is the primary source of TICO's operating funding?
- Ontario government appropriations
- Federal tourism grants
- Registration fees paid by travel registrants (Correct answer)
- Consumer protection fund levies
Correct answer: Registration fees paid by travel registrants
TICO is funded primarily through registration and renewal fees paid by registered Ontario travel agents and wholesalers, not taxpayer dollars.
Question 5: Which statement best describes TICO's legal status as an organization?
- A provincial government department
- A federal Crown corporation
- A not-for-profit corporation designated under provincial law (Correct answer)
- A private industry association
Correct answer: A not-for-profit corporation designated under provincial law
TICO is a not-for-profit corporation that has been designated as a delegated administrative authority by the Ontario government.
Question 6: What is the role of TICO's Registrar?
- To market Ontario tourism internationally
- To process travel bookings for consumers
- To administer registration, compliance, and enforcement under the Travel Industry Act (Correct answer)
- To manage the Ontario government's travel procurement
Correct answer: To administer registration, compliance, and enforcement under the Travel Industry Act
The Registrar is responsible for overseeing registration of travel agents and wholesalers, ensuring compliance, and taking enforcement action when needed.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT part of TICO's core mandate?
- Protecting consumers of travel services
- Setting industry conduct standards
- Promoting Ontario travel destinations internationally (Correct answer)
- Educating travel registrants
Correct answer: Promoting Ontario travel destinations internationally
Promoting Ontario travel destinations internationally is a tourism promotion function handled by agencies like Destination Ontario, not TICO's regulatory mandate.
TICO Role and Mandate 2
Under which Ontario legislation does TICO derive its authority to regulate the travel industry?