TICO approves $201k+ in Comp Fund claims; fees resuming April 1

The Travel Industry Council’s (TICO’s) Board of Directors has approved 43 claims against the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund, totalling $201,928 to assist 86 consumers who did not receive the travel services for which they had paid.

As outlined in a Jan. 4 news bulletin, the approved Compensation Fund claims are as follows:

Jacco Tours

12 claims to assist 26 consumers, totalling $11,515

Jet Airways

2 claims to assist 8 consumers, totalling $12,386

Sunmed Holidays Inc.

1 claim to assist 2 consumers, totalling $800

Crystal Cruises

28 claims to assist 50 consumers, totalling $177,227

In addition, one claim was denied:

Crystal Cruises

1 claim for 2 consumers totalling $10,000, as the services were available to have been received and a credit was issued as a goodwill gesture.

Fees will resume April 1

TICO is also reminding travel advisors that renewal fees and Compensation Fund assessments will resume on April 1, 2023.

For three years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, TICO waived registrants’ annual registration renewal fees and Compensation Fund assessments.

READ MORE: TICO fees might increase for some, says Smart, and “refresher” exams are on the radar

This was possible due to funding provided by the Ontario government, which will come to an end on March 31, 2023.

As such, TICO will temporarily revert to the fee structure that was in place prior to the pandemic on April 1.

This will be in effect until TICO’s comprehensive funding framework review is complete.

For more information, click here.

Closure advisory

TICO is also advising that Active Journeys Inc., located in Etobicoke, ON, had its registration under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 revoked effective November 4, 2022.

Consumers that have been impacted by this closure can click here for more info.

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