The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week. The Ontario travel industry regulator says a key theme was “the transformation that is underway both within the travel industry and at TICO.”
“As we reflect on the past year, it’s clear that the travel industry is not only recovering but evolving,” said TICO CEO Richard Smart. “Our role is to ensure that there continues to be a fair and safe marketplace where Ontario businesses can thrive, and consumers can feel protected and have peace-of-mind in their travel purchases.”
Key topics at the AGM included:
· Remarks from the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, who praised the sector’s resilience and perseverance following the challenges of the pandemic. McCarthy commented on the importance of consumer protection in an evolving travel marketplace.
· Details on the ongoing recovery of the travel sector, with strong year-over-year growth and aggregate Ontario Gross Sales reaching pre-pandemic levels.
· An update about TICO’s implementation of the recommendations in the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario’s value-for-money audit report published in December 2023. To date, TICO says it has addressed 21% of the action items under its control, with remaining recommendations “progressing on schedule.”
· TICO says a recommendation (Recommendation 16) to review the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and TICO’s own mandate is under consideration by the Ministry.
Travel advisor advocacy organization ACTA responded by expressing its disappointment in “the lack of progress announced at the TICO annual general meeting regarding Recommendation 16 from the Auditor General's report last year.”
ACTA says it is concerned that nearly a year has passed since the publication of the Auditor General's report. Following an initial meeting with Ministry staff in December 2023, the group says it has received no further updates despite repeated inquiries.
ACTA President Wendy Paradis. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
In a statement, ACTA president Wendy Paradis said: “ACTA urges the Ontario government to prioritize this review and provide a clear timeline for its implementation. The association believes that aligning the regulatory framework with the evolving needs of both the industry and consumers is paramount.
"We call on the Ontario government to engage in open dialogue and take prompt action to address this pressing issue," Paradis added. "The continued growth and success of Ontario's travel industry depend. ACTA will continue to advocate for this essential review on behalf of its members and the broader travel community.
TravelOnly's Greg Luciani, seen here with mother Ann, is a new director on the TICO Board. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
The AGM also saw two new Directors welcomed to the TICO Board:
· Gregory Luciani, CEO, TravelOnly Inc. – industry elected Director for a three-year term.
· Jeffrey Steiner, Chair, Canada-Saudi Business Council – public elected Director for a three-year term.
TICO acknowledged the commitment and impact of two outgoing Directors:
· Doug Ellison, President, Ellison Travel and Tours
· Archana Gupta-Harit, Partner, Haritage Consultants
Following TICO’s AGM, the Board of Directors named Robert Townshend as the Vice-Chair of the Board. The Vice-Chair appointment is for one year.
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