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• 8 – Financial and Record-Keeping Requirements

  Financial and Record-Keeping Requirements

  Understanding what TICO expects from travel agencies and wholesalers

  Managing money and keeping proper records are some of the most important parts of running a travel business in Ontario. TICO wants to make sure every registered travel agency and wholesaler handles their finances honestly and transparently — and that they’re financially stable enough to protect consumers.

  This chapter will help you understand:

  • What financial reports must be submitted
  • How often they must be filed
  • Who can prepare them
  • What happens if the rules aren’t followed

  These rules are found under Section 22 of the Regulation.

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  💼 8.1 Financial Statement and Document Reporting Requirements

  Every TICO registrant (that means every travel agency or wholesaler registered with TICO) must file financial statements or a verification statement with TICO at least once a year.
  The type of document you file depends on how much travel you sell in Ontario each year.

  Let’s break this down.

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  📊 Annual Sales Determine Reporting Type

  Annual Ontario Sales	What You Must File	Deadline
  Less than $2 million	Verification statement or annual financial statement	Within 3 months (90 days) of year-end
  $2 million – less than $10 million	Annual financial statement	Within 3 months (90 days) of year-end
  $10 million – less than $20 million (Travel Retailer)	Annual financial statement + semi-annual financial statement	Annual: within 3 months; Semi-annual: within 45 days after each half-year
  $10 million – less than $20 million (Wholesaler or both Retailer & Wholesaler)	Annual financial statement + quarterly financial statement	Annual: within 3 months; Quarterly: within 45 days after each quarter
  $20 million or more	Annual financial statement + quarterly financial statement	Annual: within 3 months; Quarterly: within 45 days after each quarter

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  🧾 What’s a Financial Statement?

  A financial statement shows how healthy and stable a business is.
  It must include:

  • A statement of sales in Ontario
  • A balance sheet (what the company owns and owes)
  • An income statement (profit and loss summary)
  • A cash flow statement (money coming in and going out)
  • A reconciliation of trust accounts (how customer money is handled)

  These statements must be prepared by a Licensed Public Accountant and accompanied by:

  • A review engagement report, or
  • An audit report (for larger businesses or as required under the Business Corporations Act)

  💡 Review engagement vs. audit:
  Both are checks done by accountants to make sure the numbers are accurate.
  An audit provides a higher level of assurance than a review.

  ---

  🧮 What’s a Verification Statement?

  Smaller businesses with less than $2 million in annual sales can file a verification statement instead of full financial statements.

  This form (available on the TICO website) must include:

  • Total assets and liabilities at year-end
  • Total revenue and expenses for the year
  • Any other information requested by TICO

  The form must be signed and certified as accurate by:

  • The registrant (if an individual)
  • A director or officer (if a corporation)
  • A partner (if a partnership)

  By signing, this person is legally confirming that the information is correct.

  ---

  🕒 Filing Deadlines and Extensions

  • All financial or verification statements must be filed within 90 days of your fiscal year-end.
  • The Registrar can grant an extension, but it’s not automatic — it’s at their discretion.

  ⚠️ Tip for the Exam:
  The 90-day rule and who signs the verification statement are common test questions!

  ---

  💵 What Counts as “Sales in Ontario”?

  When calculating your sales volume, “Sales in Ontario” means:

  • For travel retailers:
    The total amount paid or payable to or through the retailer for all travel services sold in Ontario.
  • For travel wholesalers:
    The total amount paid or payable to or through the wholesaler for all travel services sold in Ontario.

  This definition is important because your sales volume determines what kind of financial reporting TICO expects.

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  📘 Key Definitions

  Licensed Public Accountant (LPA):
  A professional licensed under the Public Accounting Act, 2004 who can perform audits or review engagements.

  ---

  🧠 Summary for Exam Prep

  Here’s what you should remember:

  1. All registrants must file either a financial statement or verification statement every year.
  2. $2 million in annual Ontario sales is the main cutoff between verification and financial statement filing.
  3. Deadlines: 90 days after year-end for annual reports; 45 days for quarterly/semi-annual reports.
  4. Prepared by: Licensed Public Accountant (for financial statements).
  5. Verification statements can only be used by smaller agencies under $2 million in sales.
  6. Registrar extensions are possible but not guaranteed.

  Financial and Record-Keeping Requirements

  Running a travel business in Ontario means keeping your finances organized and transparent. The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has specific financial reporting and record-keeping rules that every registrant must follow. These rules help ensure consumer protection and business accountability.

  Let’s break down the key financial requirements you’ll need to understand for the TICO Supervisor/Manager Level Exam.

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  Financial Statement Reporting Requirements (Section 8.1 Recap)

  Every TICO-registered travel agency or wholesaler must file financial statements or verification statements every year. The type and frequency of filing depend on your annual sales volume.

  Here’s a summary (from Table 8.1):

  Sales Volume (Ontario)	Type of Registrant	Reporting Requirements	Filing Deadline
  Less than $2 million	Retailer or Wholesaler	Verification Statement or Annual Financial Statements	Within 3 months after fiscal year end
  $2–$10 million	Retailer or Wholesaler	Annual Financial Statements	Within 3 months after fiscal year end
  $10–$20 million	Retailer	Annual Financial Statements + Semi-Annual Financial Statements	3 months (annual), 45 days (semi-annual)
  $10–$20 million	Wholesaler or Retailer + Wholesaler	Annual Financial Statements + Quarterly Financial Statements	3 months (annual), 45 days (quarterly)
  $20 million or more	Retailer, Wholesaler, or both	Annual Financial Statements + Quarterly Financial Statements	3 months (annual), 45 days (quarterly)

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  What If TICO Needs More Information?

  If the Registrar believes your financial documents don’t give a full picture, they may request additional or consolidated financial documents.

  Consolidated financial statements combine the results of:

  • All the entities under the registrant’s control, and
  • Any related subsidiary operations.

  This helps TICO see the complete financial health of the business.

  For example:

  • If your travel business owns another travel company, both may be combined into one financial report.
  • If you’re a corporation, you may also need to include financial data from major shareholders.

  ---

  If TICO Suspects Financial Trouble

  If the Registrar believes a business might be in financial difficulty, they can request a written statement of your working capital (or proof that you are exempt from that requirement).

  The Registrar may also require that the financial statements or written confirmation be verified under oath (affidavit).

  ---

  Understanding Working Capital (Section 8.2)

  What Is Working Capital?

  Working capital shows your business’s ability to pay its short-term debts as they come due.
  It’s a simple way to measure the financial health of a company.

  Here’s the formula: Working Capital=Current Assets−Current Liabilities

  In plain words —

  Working capital is what’s left after you subtract what your business owes (liabilities) from what it owns (assets) in the short term.

  Examples

  • Current Assets (can be turned into cash within one year):
    Cash, bank accounts, accounts receivable, and short-term investments like stocks or mutual funds.
  • Current Liabilities (must be paid within one year):
    Accounts payable, taxes payable, and short-term loans.

  Positive working capital means your business can pay its bills easily — this is what TICO wants to see.
  Negative working capital means you owe more than you own in the short term — this signals risk.

  ---

  Section 24 of the Regulation

  Under Ontario’s Travel Industry Act, registrants must maintain positive working capital at all times. This ensures your business can meet its financial obligations and protects consumers who book travel through you.

  However, not all assets count toward working capital. The following are excluded:

  • Security deposits from new applicants
  • Capital belonging to an “interested person” (like shareholders or related companies)
  • Intercompany receivables or payables (money owed between related businesses)
  • IATA deposits or credit card processor deposits

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  Who Is an “Interested Person”?

  According to TICO’s definition, an interested person is someone who:

  • Has a beneficial interest in the business
  • Controls or influences the business directly or indirectly
  • Has provided or may provide financing to the business

  In short, it’s anyone financially tied to your company who could affect its stability.

  ---

  Exemptions to the Working Capital Requirement

  Some organizations are exempt from maintaining positive working capital if they meet all of the following conditions:

  1. The registrant is a not-for-profit corporation without share capital.
  2. They have a transfer payment or funding agreement with:
     • The Ontario government (the Crown), or
     • A municipality.
  3. The agreement is:
     • For at least one year,
     • Still in effect, and
     • Requires the organization to promote tourism in Ontario.
  4. A copy of the agreement is filed with the Registrar.
  5. Any requested additional information is provided within the specified time.
  6. The registrant informs TICO of any changes to the agreement promptly.

  These organizations are considered low-risk because they are government-funded and not-for-profit.

  ---

  Key Takeaways for the Exam

  ✅ Businesses must file financial or verification statements every year — deadlines depend on sales volume.
  ✅ TICO can request extra or consolidated financial documents for clarity.
  ✅ All registrants must maintain positive working capital — assets > liabilities.
  ✅ Certain government-funded, non-profit organizations are exempt from working capital rules.
  ✅ The Registrar has the power to demand more documents or verification if financial concerns arise.

  ---

  Pro Tip:
  For exam questions, remember this rule of thumb:

  “The larger the sales volume, the more frequent and detailed the financial reporting required.”

  8.3 Legal Responsibility for Deposits

  Reference: Section 25 of the Travel Industry Act

  When a travel agency or wholesaler (called a “registrant”) accepts money from a customer, they are legally responsible for that money.

  In legal terms, they are “jointly and severally liable.”
  This means they can be held fully responsible for refunding or repaying customers, even if other parties were involved in handling the money.

  However, a registrant does not have to refund the customer if all of these conditions are met:

  1. 💰 Money was properly disbursed — The agency paid the correct supplier or another registrant for the travel services.
  2. 🤝 Acted in good faith and at arm’s length — The agency acted honestly, fairly, and without close personal or financial ties influencing the decision.
  3. 🚫 Did not deal with illegal operators — The other party involved must also be legally registered under the Act.

  If all three of these points are satisfied, the registrant is protected from being held liable for a customer refund.

  Key Definitions to Remember

  • Jointly and Severally Liable — You’re legally responsible as both an individual and as part of a group.
  • Good Faith — Acting honestly and fairly, without the intent to cheat or deceive.
  • Arm’s Length — Doing business with someone who isn’t personally or financially connected to you.

  These terms often appear in TICO exams — make sure you can recognize them and explain what they mean!

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  8.4 Trust Accounting

  Reference: Sections 26 and 27 of the Regulation

  Trust accounting is a consumer protection system that ensures customers’ money is kept safe until their travel services are provided.

  Under this system, all money received from customers for travel must be placed in a separate bank account called a Trust Account.
  This money cannot be used for the business’s operating costs — only for paying suppliers, issuing refunds, or transferring earned commissions after the trip is completed.

  Purpose of Trust Accounting

  ✅ Protect customers’ money if a travel agency goes bankrupt or insolvent.
  ✅ Allow TICO to monitor agencies’ financial health.
  ✅ Prevent agencies from using customer funds for business expenses.

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  Requirements for Setting Up a Trust Account

  1. The account must be opened in an approved financial institution in Ontario, such as:
     • A Schedule I or II bank under the Bank Act (Canada)
     • A loan or trust corporation
     • A credit union under the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, 1994
  2. The account must be in the legal business name of the registrant (for example, “DreamWorld Travel Inc.” and not “John Smith”).
  3. The account must be clearly labeled as a “Travel Industry Act Trust Account.”
  4. Any funds received from customers must be deposited within two banking days of receipt.
  5. All registrants must have at least one trust account, unless exempt under specific conditions.

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  Two Main Accounts a Travel Agency Operates

  🟩 Trust Account

  This account holds all customer payments for travel services.
  Money in the trust account can only be used to:

  • Pay suppliers of travel services
  • Refund customers if needed
  • Transfer earned commission or markup after suppliers are fully paid or services are completed

  Important: The money in the trust account cannot be used to pay rent, salaries, or office expenses.

  🟦 General Account

  This is the business operating account used for expenses like rent, utilities, and wages.
  Only after the travel services are completed and the supplier has been paid can commissions or markups be transferred from the trust account to the general account.

  ---

  Clarifying “Money Received from Customers”

  Section 26.1 of the Regulation defines what counts as “money received from customers for travel services.”

  It includes any payment a registrant directly receives, but excludes:

  • Payments made through the registrant directly to the supplier’s merchant account (because the agency never handles the funds).
  • Payments for future services that are not due yet during that reporting period.

  Example:
  If a customer pays a deposit today and their final payment is due next month, only the deposit counts as money “received” right now.

  However — if the customer’s credit card payment goes through the agency’s merchant account, then that money is considered received and must be deposited into the trust account.

  ---

  Quick Recap for Exam Prep

  Term	Meaning	Key Point
  Jointly and Severally Liable	Legally responsible both individually and as part of a group	Applies when registrants handle customer funds
  Trust Account	Special account for holding customer payments	Money must stay there until services are completed
  General Account	Business expense account	Used only after commissions can be transferred
  Good Faith	Acting honestly and fairly	A key defense in liability cases
  Arm’s Length	Unrelated, independent business dealings	Ensures fair transactions

  ---

  In short:
  Trust accounting and financial responsibility protect consumers and ensure travel businesses stay compliant under Ontario’s Travel Industry Act, 2002.
  As a TICO supervisor or manager, you must understand how to handle customer deposits, maintain trust accounts, and meet all regulatory deadlines.

  Understanding Security Instead of Trust Accounting

  Chapter 8: Financial and Record-Keeping Requirements

  When running a travel business, it’s important to protect customer money. Normally, travel agencies must keep customer payments for travel services in a trust account.
  However, if a business has proven financial stability, it can choose another option — providing a security deposit to TICO.

  Let’s go through how this works, step-by-step.

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  What Does “Security Instead of Trust Accounting” Mean?

  According to Section 28 of the Regulation, some registrants (travel agencies or wholesalers) can use a security deposit instead of maintaining a trust account.

  Definition

  In simple terms, the “money received from customers for travel services” means:

  • The money that the registrant actually gets from customers during a certain period.
  • It does not include:
    • Payments made directly by customers to another company through the registrant.
    • Travel sales that are made during that period but are paid for after the period ends.

  ---

  Who Can Use a Security Deposit?

  Only registrants who have been continuously in business for at least one fiscal year are allowed to use this option.

  Instead of having a trust account, they must file a security deposit with TICO — for example:

  • A letter of credit
  • A bank draft
  • Collateral, like a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)

  ---

  How Much Security Is Required?

  The deposit amount must be equal to or greater than one-sixth (1/6) of all customer money received for travel services over the last 12 months.

  Required Security = Total Customer Payments (last 12 months) ÷ 6

  The financial statements submitted to TICO must show:

  • The total amount of money received from customers for travel services during the reported period.

  TICO must receive the security deposit within 30 days after the registrant files financial statements.

  Note: The registrant must keep their trust account active until they get an official letter from TICO confirming that the security deposit has been accepted.

  ---

  New Applicant Security Requirement

  According to Section 25 of the Regulation, any new applicant (someone not registered in the past 12 months) must provide a $10,000 security deposit when applying to TICO.

  TICO will return this deposit after:

  1. The registrant has filed two complete and consecutive annual financial statements, showing financial stability, and
  2. The Registrar has no concerns about compliance with the Travel Industry Act or its regulations.

  If there are concerns, TICO may hold the $10,000 until those issues are resolved.
  New registrants must also operate both a trust account and a general account.

  ---

  What If the Business Closes or Goes Bankrupt?

  If a registrant with a security deposit becomes bankrupt, insolvent, or closes down, TICO will return the security after at least six months.
  However, any amount used to pay customer claims will be deducted before the security is returned.

  ---

  Exemption for Low-Risk Tourism Businesses

  Some lower-risk organizations may not need to file a security deposit.
  To qualify for this exemption, the following must be true:

  1. The registrant is a not-for-profit corporation without share capital.
  2. It has a funding agreement (e.g., transfer payment agreement) with:
     • The Ontario government, or
     • A municipality.
  3. The agreement:
     • Has a term of at least one year.
     • Has not expired.
     • States that the registrant’s purpose is to promote tourism in a specific area of Ontario.
  4. A copy of the agreement is provided to the Registrar.
  5. The registrant provides any additional information requested by the Registrar.
  6. The registrant notifies TICO in writing of any changes or amendments to the agreement.

  If the agreement is with a municipality, two more conditions apply:

  • The municipality must have a financial arrangement with TICO (e.g., guarantee or indemnity).
  • The Registrar must confirm in writing that this condition is satisfied.

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  If the Registrant Stops Qualifying for the Exemption

  If a registrant loses its exemption, what happens depends on timing:

  1. Before Two Annual Statements Filed

  They must immediately provide $10,000 in security to TICO.

  2. After Two Annual Statements Filed

  They must notify TICO in writing as soon as possible.
  After receiving the notice, the Registrar will:

  • Confirm if there are no compliance concerns, or
  • Set a deadline to provide the $10,000 security deposit, or
  • Specify any repayment amounts needed for claims that may be made from the Compensation Fund (up to $10,000).

  If the registrant already has an approved municipality financial arrangement with TICO, no further action is needed.

  ---

  When and How Security Is Returned

  Once the registrant has filed two full annual financial statements, and there are no outstanding compliance issues, TICO will return the security.

  If TICO has paid out or expects to pay out any claims related to:

  • Bankruptcy,
  • Insolvency, or
  • Business closure,

  then those amounts will be deducted from the returned security.

  ---

  🧠 Key Points to Remember for the TICO Exam

  • Trust account or security — Registrants must protect customer money either way.
  • Security amount = 1/6 of last year’s customer payments.
  • New applicants → Must pay $10,000 security.
  • Exemptions exist for government-linked not-for-profits.
  • Security is returned only after two full financial years of compliance.

  8.6 Record-Keeping

  Reference: Section 29 of the Regulation

  Every TICO-registered business must keep accurate and complete business records. These records are important for accounting, audits, and ensuring compliance with the Travel Industry Act.

  📘 Key Rules for Record-Keeping

  • All business records must be kept at the main office (principal place of business) or another location approved in writing by the Registrar.
  • Records must be kept for at least six years after the date of the transaction.

  🧾 Types of Records You Must Keep

  1. Accounting records – These should detail your business income and expenses. You must include all supporting evidence such as:
     • Invoices
     • Statements
     • Receipts (each with a unique serial or reference number)
  2. Banking records – These must show all financial transactions linked to your business.
  3. Payment records – Keep written records of all money paid to or from your business for travel services.
     Each transaction must be easy to identify by a unique number or code.
  4. Refund or alternative service records – If you offer customers refunds or alternative travel services due to changes in plans, you must keep a file showing:
     • What happened
     • What action your business took
     • Whether the customer accepted the alternative or refund

  All these records must be available for inspection by the Registrar at any time.

  ---

  8.7 Financial Inspection Program

  TICO uses a risk-based financial inspection program to make sure all registrants are financially stable and following the law. This helps protect consumers and keeps the travel industry trustworthy.

  🔍 Why TICO Inspects Financial Records

  TICO staff check whether:

  • Financial statements are filed on time
  • Businesses maintain enough working capital
  • Trust accounts are properly set up and used

  If a registrant fails to meet these standards, TICO may issue warning letters or even propose to revoke the registration.

  ---

  🔹 The Financial Inspection Program Has Two Main Parts:

  1. Financial Statement / Document Bench Review

  Once a registrant’s financial statements are submitted, a TICO financial inspector (usually a CPA) reviews them.

  During this bench review, the inspector looks at:

  • Sales
  • Working capital
  • Profit or loss

  The goal is to check if the business meets the working capital and trust account requirements of the Regulation.

  2. Site Inspection

  If TICO suspects potential problems—like weak financial health, improper trust account use, or repeated losses—a site inspection is conducted.

  During this visit, a financial inspector:

  • Reviews the registrant’s records in detail
  • Determines if there is a compliance issue
  • Prepares a full Inspection Report for the Registrar

  ---

  🚨 Other Reasons for Site Inspections

  Site inspections can also happen if:

  • Consumers or other registrants file complaints
  • TICO staff notice red flags during reviews
  • The registrant is a new business (all new registrants are inspected within their first year)

  TICO monitors all registrants regularly and follows up on any non-compliance issues.

  ---

  Registrar’s Requests for Further Information

  After reviewing the Inspection Report, the Registrar may ask for more details.

  Here’s what might be required:

  1. Written Statement of Current Working Capital
     • If the Registrar believes a business might be in financial trouble, they can ask for a written and verified (by affidavit) statement of working capital.
  2. Exemption from Working Capital Requirement
     • Businesses that qualify for an exemption must still provide a written statement confirming that they meet the exemption criteria.
  3. Audited Financial Statements
     • The Registrar can request audited and consolidated financial statements (including related businesses or shareholders) if needed for a complete review.

  ---

  Why Compliance Matters

  The goal of TICO’s inspection staff is to help registrants comply, not to punish them unnecessarily.

  If a business fails to meet working capital or trust account requirements, TICO will:

  • Notify the registrant
  • Give them time to fix the problem

  However, if the issue isn’t corrected, TICO can take administrative action—including the revocation of registration.

  So, registrants should always resolve financial issues quickly to prevent them from escalating into serious problems.

  ---

  ✅ Chapter Summary

  By the end of this chapter, you should understand:

  • How to properly keep and store financial records
  • How TICO monitors financial compliance through inspections
  • What happens if your business fails to meet financial standards
  • The importance of maintaining transparency and cooperation with TICO

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  📘 Study Tip:

  TICO exam questions from this chapter often focus on:

  • How long records must be kept
  • What documents are included in record-keeping
  • What triggers a site inspection
  • How TICO handles non-compliance

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  🧠 Quiz Reminder

  You’ve completed Chapter 8: Financial and Record-Keeping Requirements!
  Log into your MyTICO account and try the Chapter 8 quiz to test your understanding.
  You’ll get instant feedback — and remember, you can take the quiz as many times as you like.

  November 12, 2025

• 7 – TICO Registration Requirements

  Table of Contents

  • TICO Registration Requirements: A Simple Study Guide
  • TICO Registration Guide: Requirements to Become and Stay Registered
  • TICO Registration Fee Guide: What You Need to Pay
  • 🎯 Quick Memory Trick
  • TICO Requirements to Become Registered – Part 2
  • Requirements to Become and Stay Registered with TICO
  • 🧠 Chapter: Requirements to Become (and Stay) Registered with TICO
  • Requirements to Become Registered — Part 3
  • TICO Registration Requirements: Appeals, Offences & Confidentiality

TICO Registration Requirements: A Simple Study Guide

If you want to work in the travel industry in Ontario at a supervisor or manager level, you must understand who needs to register with TICO and who is exempt. This chapter breaks it down so you can easily learn it for your exam.

Let’s go step-by-step.

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7.1 Who Must Be Registered

Any travel retailer or travel wholesaler that wants to sell travel services in Ontario must be registered with TICO.

This includes:

• Travel agencies (physical offices or online websites)
• Travel wholesalers (companies that package travel services and sell them to agencies)
• Individuals operating as a travel business (sole proprietors, partnerships, or corporations)

If you sell travel services in Ontario and are not registered with TICO — it’s illegal.

Definition: Travel Services

Travel services include:

• Transportation (flights, buses, trains, cruises, etc.)
• Sleeping accommodations (hotels, resorts, vacation rentals)
• Any services combined with transportation or accommodation (like packaged tours)

Anyone legally registered is called a registrant.

✅ Individual registrants must live in Canada
❌ TICO registration is not transferable

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Exemptions — Who Doesn’t Need to Register?

Some groups and companies do not need to register with TICO. These rules come from Section 2 of the Regulation.

Important for exam: If a business is exempt and not registered with TICO, the Travel Industry Compensation Fund DOES NOT protect consumers booking with them.

Here are the main exemptions:

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Companies Not Required to Register

Type of Company	Explanation
Travel retailers/wholesalers not located in Ontario	If the company is outside Ontario, they don’t need TICO registration even if Ontarians book with them
Companies advertising to Ontarians (online, toll-free phones) but located elsewhere	Example: Out-of-province online travel agency
End suppliers	Airlines, cruise lines, hotels, car rental companies

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End Suppliers Offering Local Services

Exempt Group	Key Points
End supplier offering local services (within 25 km)	Example: a hotel offering accommodation + local theatre tickets + transport
End supplier adding services from another company (not airline/cruise/bus)	Must collect no more than 25% upfront or payment no more than 30 days in advance

Purpose: Help small local tourism businesses operate without heavy regulation.

---

Public Carriers & Their Agents

Exempt Group	Example
Public carrier selling scheduled transportation	Bus service from New York to Toronto 4 times/day
Agents selling for a public carrier	Ticket booth selling bus tickets

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Real Estate Professionals (Short-Term Rentals)

Real estate brokers, salespersons, and brokerages do not need TICO registration IF:

• They are registered under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002
• They ONLY handle short-term rental accommodations through their brokerage

They DO need TICO registration if:

• They do it as a side business outside their brokerage
• They also sell transportation or tickets to attractions

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One-Day Tour Providers

Exempt ONLY IF:

• They sell one-day tours ONLY
• The tour starts and returns within 24 hours
• No accommodation included

Examples: One-day bus trips to
🎭 theatre | 🎰 casino | ⚽ sports game | 🎿 ski hill | 🛍️ shopping mall

NOT exempt if: They also offer overnight tours

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Guide or Sightseeing Services

Exempt if:

• They only sell guide services
• They do NOT provide transportation or accommodation

Example: A tour guide showing visitors around local landmarks on foot.

---

Educational Institutions

Schools are exempt if:

• The teacher arranging the trip works at the school
• The trip is approved by the school board or principal
• Teacher receives no profit
• One-day student field trips (ex: Royal Ontario Museum)

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Religious Groups, Amateur Sports Teams, Associations

(Overland Travel Only)

Exempt IF ALL conditions are met:

• Only members can join the trip
• Purpose is educational, cultural, religious, or athletic
• Funds kept in a trust account
• No one profits except by participating in the trip
• Destination within 2,000 km
• Transportation vehicle stays at destination (ensures return)

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Not-For-Profit Clubs

(Overland Travel Only — Same rules as above)

These clubs are also exempt under the same conditions — only members, no profit, trust account, within 2,000 km, bus stays at location.

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Key Exam Takeaways

✅ Anyone selling travel services in Ontario must register with TICO
✅ Exempt groups are very specific — memorize them
✅ The Travel Compensation Fund only protects bookings through registered companies
✅ One-day tours = exempt (only if zero overnight trips)
✅ Schools, churches, sports teams = exempt under strict rules
✅ Real estate professionals exempt only for short-term rentals through brokerage
✅ End suppliers like airlines never need TICO registration

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Final Study Tip

When studying exemptions, always ask yourself:

Does the business sell transportation or accommodation to the public in Ontario?

If YES → likely must register with TICO
If NO → check if they fit one of the special exemption cases

TICO Registration Guide: Requirements to Become and Stay Registered

If you want to run or manage a travel business in Ontario, you must be registered with TICO. This chapter explains what you need to qualify and how to keep your registration active.

Think of this as a checklist to help you pass the TICO Supervisor/Manager exam.

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7.2 Requirements to Become Registered

Before TICO approves someone to operate as a travel retailer or wholesaler, they must meet certain rules (Section 5 of the Regulation).

✅ Basic Requirements

To become registered:

• If you are an individual:
  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • You must be a Canadian resident

✅ If You Were Previously Registered With TICO

TICO will check your history. You can only register if:

Requirement	What It Means
You do not owe the Travel Industry Compensation Fund	If you owe money, you must set up a payment plan TICO accepts
TICO has no unpaid judgments against you	If they do, you must settle it or have a payment plan
TICO never had to pay claims for you due to bankruptcy/closing your business	If they paid, you must reimburse TICO for claims & costs or have a repayment plan

✅ Security Requirement

If TICO requires you to provide security money (a financial guarantee), you must do so.

✅ Other People Connected to the Business

Anyone considered an “interested person” (owners, partners, certain directors — see Glossary in the Act) must meet the same rules.

Example: If you and your business partner apply, both of you must meet these conditions.

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7.3 Requirements for Registration Renewals

Registration is not a one-time thing — you must renew and continue meeting requirements (Section 6).

To stay registered, a business must:

• Be a resident of Canada if it’s an individual
• Not owe any Compensation Fund payments (or have an approved payment plan)
• Have no unpaid TICO judgments (or have a payment plan)
• Have repaid any Compensation Fund claims TICO paid on their behalf (or have a repayment plan)
• Provide security if required

You must stay in good standing with TICO at all times.

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Forms & Fees — How to Register and Renew

(Section 3 of the Regulation)

To register as a travel retailer or wholesaler, you must:

1. ✅ Fill out the registration form
2. ✅ Submit it to TICO with the required fee
3. ✅ Pay renewal fees every year online
4. ✅ Register each branch office separately
5. ✅ Pay branch fees online

Fee Structure

• TICO sets registration and renewal fees
• Fees are published in a Fee Schedule
• Any fee changes must be:
  • Discussed with the industry, and
  • Approved by the TICO Board

Application Rules

Applications and renewals must:

• Be submitted on TICO-approved forms
• Include all required information
• Be sent with correct payment

If anything is missing → TICO will NOT process the application.

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Key Exam Takeaways

Topic	Memory Tip
Age & Residency	Individual must be 18+ and live in Canada
Debt to TICO?	Must pay or have a payment plan
Past bankruptcy claims?	Must reimburse TICO
Security deposit?	Provide if required
Renew every year	Online, with proper forms and fees
Branches	Must be registered one-by-one

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Study Shortcut

Think of it like getting and keeping a driver’s license for your travel business:

Like Driver’s License	TICO Equivalent
You must meet eligibility rules	Age, residency, no debts/judgments
You must renew it	Annual registration renewal
You must follow rules or lose it	Must remain in good standing with TICO

TICO Registration Fee Guide: What You Need to Pay

To run a travel agency or a travel wholesaler business in Ontario, you must be registered with TICO. This chapter explains the fees you need to pay when registering and renewing your registration.

These rules come from Section 3(1) of Ontario Regulation 26/05.

✅ Fee Schedule effective since July 1, 2011
✅ All fees cover a 1-year period

Let’s make it simple.

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Registration Fees (When You First Sign Up)

When you first register with TICO, you pay a fee based on whether you are registering a head office or a branch office.

Type of Business Location	Fee
Travel Agency or Travel Wholesaler — Head Office	$3,000
Travel Agency or Travel Wholesaler — Branch Office	$800

❗ Registration fees are NOT refundable, even if your application is not approved.

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Renewal Fees (Every Year)

Every year, travel agencies and wholesalers must renew their registration.

The renewal fee depends on your Ontario sales volume from the previous fiscal year.

Sales-Based Renewal Fees

Ontario Sales Volume	Renewal Fee
$2,000,000 or less	$300
More than $2,000,000 up to $5,000,000	$600
More than $5,000,000 up to $10,000,000	$900
More than $10,000,000 up to $50,000,000	$1,200
Over $50,000,000	$1,800

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Branch Renewal Fee

If you have branch offices, each branch must pay:

Fee Type	Fee
Branch Office Renewal	$300 per branch

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Important Renewal Timeline Rules

• Renewal fees are due 90 days after the registrant’s year-end
• Branch renewal dates match the head office renewal date
  • This means everything renews at the same time
  • Head office + all branches in one cycle

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✅ Key Points to Remember for Your Exam

• $3,000 to register a head office
• $800 to register a branch
• Renewal fees depend on sales volume
• Branch renewal fee = $300 each
• Fees must be paid every year
• Fees are not refundable
• Branches renew at the same time as head office
• Renewal payment due 90 days after year-end

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🎯 Quick Memory Trick

Term	Trick
Initial registration = Big money	$3,000 = Start-up cost for main office
Branches always cost	$800 to start, $300 yearly
Bigger sales = Bigger renewal fee	The more you sell, the more you pay
Everything aligned	Branches renew with head office

TICO Requirements to Become Registered – Part 2

To operate a travel business in Ontario, you must follow TICO rules. This part of the chapter covers security deposits, office rules, and business name rules.

Study this carefully — questions from this section often appear on the TICO Supervisor/Manager exam.

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7.4 Security Deposit for New Applicants

Section 25 of the Regulation

When a business applies to register with TICO and has not been registered in the last 12 months, they must give TICO a security deposit of $10,000.

✅ Key Points

• New applicants must provide $10,000 security
• This applies only if the business was not registered in the past 12 months
• The money is held by TICO
• It will not be returned until:
  • The business submits two years of financial statements
  • The Registrar decides the business is in good standing and following the rules

The Registrar has the final say on returning the deposit.

🔹 Exemptions

Some low-risk tourism businesses tied to government may not need to pay this deposit.
Details are found in Chapter 8 (Financial & Record-Keeping Requirements).

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7.5 Requirements for Operating From an Office or Home

Section 6 of the Act + Sections 10 & 11 of the Regulation

All travel registrants must work from the location listed in their TICO registration.

✅ Office Rules

• You can only operate from the address on your registration
• If you have more than one location:
  • One must be the head office
  • All others must be registered branch offices

✅ Home-Based Travel Agencies

You can run a travel business from home, but only if:

Requirement	Meaning
Zoning approval	Local zoning must allow business activity
Separate business phone	Business phone number must be different from personal/home number
Record access	Registrar must be able to see your business records

If the Registrar can’t access your records, you cannot operate from home.

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7.6 Business Name Requirements

Section 9 of the Regulation

Every travel agency must have a legally registered business name with ServiceOntario.

✅ Business Name Rules

• You must register your business name
• You must do business under the same name
• Your name cannot pretend to be sponsored or affiliated with another company unless you truly are

❌ Examples of names NOT allowed

• “Disney Travel” (unless you are actually approved by Disney)
• “Air Canada Vacations Center” (unless you are authorized)

You cannot mislead customers into thinking you are connected to another travel brand.

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🧠 Exam Tips

Topic	What to remember
Security deposit	$10,000 for new applicants; held for at least 2 years
Home office	Must follow zoning, have separate phone, and records accessible
Business name	Must be legally registered & not imply fake partnerships

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🎯 Quick Memory Trick

Rule	Shortcut
Security	$10K trust test — 2 years, must be in good standing
Home office	Zoning + phone + records
Business name	Register name + no fake partnerships

Requirements to Become and Stay Registered with TICO

When you run or supervise a travel business in Ontario, you must follow TICO rules. These rules protect consumers and make sure only honest and qualified businesses sell travel services.

This chapter covers important rules about TICO registration and how to keep your registration active.

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Certificate of Registration (Section 13 of the Regulation)

After you complete the TICO registration process, TICO gives your business a Certificate of Registration.

Key Points to Remember

• The certificate must be kept at the office or branch location it belongs to.
• Anyone can ask to see it — you must be able to show it.
• Best practice: display the certificate in your office for customers to see.
• The certificate has an expiry date — make sure it stays valid.

If Your Business Closes or Registration Ends

If your business:

• shuts down,
• loses registration,
• or gets suspended,

you must return the certificate to TICO immediately — either by registered mail or by hand.

Exam Tip ✅

If a TICO-registered business closes, they must return the Registration Certificate right away.

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Requirements to Maintain Registered Status

Even after you register, you must continue following all TICO rules. If you don’t, TICO can refuse renewal or cancel your registration.

When TICO Can Refuse Registration or Renewal

TICO may say no if:

• The business is not financially responsible.
• There is proven dishonesty.
• The business breaks the Act or Regulation.
• The business does not provide information TICO asks for.

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Rules for Selling Travel Services (Section 12 of the Regulation)

Travel retailers must follow these rules when selling travel services:

1. Tell Customers Who You Are

You must give customers:

• your business name,
• office address,
• and phone number.

This helps the customer know exactly who they are dealing with.

2. Disclose Relationships

If your agency is connected to a travel wholesaler (for example, the wholesaler owns the travel agency), you must tell the customer.

3. Only Registered People Can Sell Travel

Travel services can only be sold by:

• a registered business, and
• individuals employed by or contracted with that business.

4. Everyone Selling Travel Must Pass Exams

Anyone who sells travel or advises the public must:

• Pass the Travel Counsellor Exam
• If they become a supervisor/manager, they must also pass the Supervisor/Manager Exam within 6 months

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Educational Requirements (Sections 15–16 of the Regulation)

Every travel office must have a qualified supervisor/manager.

Supervisor/Manager Requirements

They must:

1. Pass the Travel Counsellor Exam
2. Have sufficient experience (usually 3 years of selling travel)
3. Pass the Supervisor/Manager Exam
   – Either already passed, or must pass within 6 months of taking the role

Requirements for All Travel Counsellors

Anyone selling travel to the public must:

• Pass the Travel Counsellor Exam
• Be an employee or contracted person with the agency
• Have their training records and certificates kept on file by the registrant

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Notification of Changes

Registrants must inform TICO when key business information changes, including:

• business ownership
• partners or shareholders
• office location/address
• bank accounts
• supervisor/manager

Some changes need advance approval; others just need to be reported on time.

Exam Tip ✅

Any major change to the business must be reported to TICO within required timelines — some changes need pre-approval.

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Simple Summary

Requirement	Key Rule
Certificate of Registration	Keep it at the office, show it when asked, return if business closes
Selling Travel	Only by registrants and approved individuals
Education	Travel Counsellor Exam for sellers; Supervisor exam within 6 months
Supervisor/Manager	3 years experience + required exams
Change Reporting	Must notify TICO about major business changes

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Final Exam Checklist ✅

Before moving on, make sure you remember:

• Where the Registration Certificate must be kept
• When it needs to be returned
• Who can sell travel services
• The exam requirement timelines
• Supervisor/manager experience and exam rules
• That major business changes must be reported to TICO

If you can explain all of these in simple terms, you’re ready for questions on this chapter!

🧠 Chapter: Requirements to Become (and Stay) Registered with TICO

📜 7.7 Certificate of Registration

Once a business completes the TICO registration process, TICO gives them a Registration Certificate.

Important things to remember:

• The certificate must be kept at the office or branch it belongs to
• It must be shown to anyone who asks
• Best practice: display it clearly where customers can see it
• The certificate has an expiry date — registration must be renewed
• If the business closes, is suspended, or revoked, the certificate must be returned to TICO immediately (by registered mail or in person)

💡 Exam Tip:
TICO encourages consumers to look for this certificate before booking travel — it’s proof the company is legally registered.

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🔐 7.8 Requirements to Maintain Registered Status

Even after registration, businesses must follow rules to stay registered.

🚫 When can the Registrar refuse or revoke registration?

The Registrar can refuse or cancel registration if the business or person:

• Lacks financial responsibility
• Has acted dishonestly
• Breaks laws or TICO rules
• Refuses to provide required information

In short: you must be financially stable, honest, and cooperative.

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🧾 Selling Travel Services — Key Rules (Section 12)

When selling travel, retailers must:

1. Tell customers the business name, address, and phone number
2. Tell customers if the retailer is connected to another travel business
   (example: a wholesaler that owns a travel agency)
3. Only sell through:
   • A registered travel business, and
   • People employed by or contracted with that business
4. Ensure everyone selling travel or giving advice has passed the Travel Counsellor Exam
5. Ensure new supervisors/managers pass the Supervisor/Manager Exam within 6 months

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🎓 Education Requirements (Sections 15–16)

Each travel office must have a supervisor/manager who:

✅ Has passed the Travel Counsellor Exam
✅ Has minimum 3 years travel-selling experience (common interpretation of “sufficient experience”)
✅ Is approved by the Registrar
✅ Has passed the Supervisor/Manager Exam OR will pass it within 6 months of starting

Also:

• Everyone selling travel to the public must pass the Travel Counsellor Exam
• Travel counsellors must be employees or contracted
• The business must keep proof of education certificates

💡 Exam Tip:
Remember: 3 years experience + Travel Counsellor Exam + Supervisor/Manager Exam within 6 months.

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🔔 Notification of Changes — What to Report & When

Registrants must tell TICO about business changes.
Some need approval, some just need notification.

Type of Change	Approval or Notice?	Time to Report
Changes to officers/directors (corporation) or partners	Registrar Approval	Within 5 days
Someone gets 10% or more shares or increases share beyond 10%	Notify Registrar	Within 30 days
Change of business address	Notify Registrar	5 days in advance
Change in supervisor/manager	Notify Registrar	5 days in advance (or immediately if unexpected)
Change in bank account details	Notify Registrar	5 days in advance
Any other change in registration info	Notify Registrar	Within 5 days
Ceases selling travel services	Notify Registrar	ASAP (or at least 10 days in advance if known)
Stops trading with another registrant due to financial concerns	Notify Registrar	Promptly
Change in address for service	Notify Registrar	Within 5 days

💡 Exam Tip:
5 days & 30 days deadlines are common — expect them on the test.

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📝 Summary for Exam Success

To stay registered with TICO, a travel business must:

• Display its Registration Certificate
• Operate honestly and financially responsibly
• Ensure all staff selling travel are certified
• Have a qualified Supervisor/Manager
• Report business changes on time

Requirements to Become Registered — Part 3

Compliance, Inspections, Refusals & Revocations)

When running a travel business in Ontario, being registered with TICO is not a “one-and-done” thing. You must follow rules to protect consumers and keep your license active.

This chapter explains compliance, inspections, and how registrations can be refused, suspended, or revoked.

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✅ 7.9 Compliance — What It Means and Why It Matters

When consumers book with a TICO-registered travel agency or website, they are protected.
For example, they may be able to claim money from the Travel Industry Compensation Fund if a registered agency or supplier (like an airline or cruise line) goes bankrupt.

What TICO Does to Enforce Compliance

TICO has a Compliance Department that checks if businesses follow the law.

They monitor:

Type	Focus
Financial compliance	Financial statements, trust accounting, working capital
Non-financial compliance	Advertising, invoices, disclosures, and unregistered sellers

TICO reviews ads, websites, brochures, and responds to consumer and industry complaints.

Selling travel without TICO registration is illegal. TICO can charge offenders.

What Happens if a Business Breaks the Rules?

• TICO contacts the registrant and asks them to fix the problem
• The business must respond fast — not responding = non-compliance
• If not corrected, the Registrar may move to revoke registration

Key Exam Reminder

If a registrant ignores TICO or refuses to fix compliance issues, their license is at risk.

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🕵️ 7.10 Inspections — What to Expect

Section 17 of the Act

TICO can conduct inspections to make sure rules are being followed.

Inspectors Can:

• Enter the business premises at a reasonable time
• Ask to see records, documents, and bank info
• Copy or take records as long as they give a written list
• Investigate complaints

Your Rights

You may ask the inspector to show proof that they are authorized.

Your Obligations

You must NOT:

• Block the inspector
• Hide, change, or destroy documents

Doing so is an offence.

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❌ 7.11 Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation of Registration

If a business does not follow the law, the Registrar can propose to:

• Refuse registration
• Suspend registration
• Revoke registration
• Refuse renewal
• Add conditions to registration

The business must be notified in writing and has the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

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🚫 Refusal to Register — Common Reasons

Registration may be refused if:

• Applicant has a serious criminal record
• Applicant is not financially responsible
• False information was given in the application

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⚠️ Immediate Suspension

In serious cases, where consumers are at risk, the Registrar can suspend immediately.

This usually happens when there are major financial issues that could harm the public.

• Suspension takes effect instantly
• Must be in the public interest
• Expires after 15 days unless extended by the Tribunal

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❌ Revocation — Common Reasons

A registration may be revoked if the registrant:

• Fails to file financial statements
• Has trust account or working capital deficiencies
• Does not pay Compensation Fund fees
• Uses false or misleading advertising
• Has invoicing issues
• Has unresolved consumer complaints
• Fails to respond to TICO
• Shows ongoing dishonesty or non-compliance

Repeated violations can lead to revocation.

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🔍 Public Access to Information

TICO can publicly share:

• Names of registrants
• Registration status
• Business contact details
• Charges or violations
• Tribunal decisions

This makes the system transparent and protects consumers.

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🎯 Exam Takeaways

Remember these key points:

💡 TICO enforces both financial and non-financial compliance
💡 Ignoring TICO letters = non-compliance
💡 Inspectors can access records and must not be obstructed
💡 Registration can be refused, suspended, or revoked
💡 Businesses have the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal
💡 TICO can publish info about registrants to the public

TICO Registration Requirements: Appeals, Offences & Confidentiality

In this chapter, we’ll cover what happens when there are issues with TICO registration — like appeals, offences, and confidentiality rules. As a future travel industry manager, you must understand how TICO enforces the law and protects consumers.

This info is important for your exam — so read carefully!

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🚨 7.12 Appeals to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT)

If TICO refuses, suspends, or revokes a company’s registration, the business has the right to appeal the decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).

What is the Licence Appeal Tribunal?

• An independent tribunal (like a court but simpler and faster)
• Handles TICO appeals
• Members include legal, industry, and consumer experts

When can someone appeal?

• New applicants who are refused registration
• Current registrants whose registration is suspended or revoked

How to appeal

• Must send a Notice of Appeal within 15 days
• There is a non-refundable fee
• You may represent yourself or hire a lawyer/paralegal (your expense)
• If no appeal is requested, the Registrar’s decision stands

What happens in a hearing?

• Registrar and applicant/registrant present evidence
• Tribunal makes a written decision
• They can:
  • Confirm TICO’s decision
  • Overturn it
  • Add conditions to the registration

Can issues be solved before the hearing?

Yes. TICO often works with businesses to fix problems even after the appeal is filed.
Example: Agreeing to follow extra rules to keep registration.

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🔁 Re-Applying After Being Refused or Revoked

If TICO refuses or revokes a registration:

• Must wait at least 30 days before re-applying
• Cannot operate during this period
• Must prove circumstances have changed and requirements are now met

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⚖️ 7.13 Offences Under the Act

Once a business is registered, it must follow all TICO laws.
If someone breaks the rules, it’s an offence.

What counts as an offence?

• Giving false information
• Not following the law or regulations

Who is responsible?

• The business
• Officers/directors — they must take reasonable care to prevent offences

Penalties

Offence	Maximum Penalty
Individual	$50,000 fine, up to 2 years minus a day in jail, or both
Corporation	$250,000 fine

Other consequences

• Court can order restitution (money paid back)
• Case must start within 2 years of TICO learning about the offence

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🔒 7.14 Confidentiality

TICO handles private business info. This information must stay confidential except when allowed by law.

When can TICO share information?

• When needed to enforce the Act
• With consumer protection agencies
• With law enforcement
• With a person’s legal advisor
• If the person gives consent

Important note

TICO staff cannot be forced to testify in civil court about confidential info — unless it’s a case under the Travel Industry Act.

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✅ Chapter Complete!

You have finished Chapter 7 — Registration Requirements.

💡 Tip for your exam:
Focus on appeals timelines, penalties, and confidentiality rules — these often show up in questions.

📌 Go back to your MyTICO portal and take the voluntary Chapter Quiz.
You can try as many times as you want — quizzes don’t affect your final exam score but help you practice!