The Travel Industry Council of Ontario has announced that as a result of the failure of Sunrise International Travels on December 18, 2009, payments of $765,644.26 from the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund have been approved by the Statutory Director.


“A total of 678 consumers have been assisted,” said Michael Pepper, President of the Ontario Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO).

The payments were approved under the immediate departure and trip completion (repatriation) provisions under Ontario Regulation 26/05 of the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002.

A payment of $205,249.48 was approved by the Statutory Director to assist 279 consumers having immediate departures to Guyana and Grenada at the time of the failure. A further $560,394.78 for trip completion was approved to assist another 399 consumers already in destination.

Immediately following the failure, TICO representatives acted swiftly to protect those consumers involved. Those with imminent departures were met at the airport and advised of the closure and were given the option to travel or file a claim against the Compensation Fund.

“This incident underscores the importance for consumers to book their travel through an Ontario-registered travel agency,” said Pepper. “TICO was there to immediately assist all affected travelers including those at the point of departure and in destination.”

The Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund is wholly-financed by the industry to protect consumers who do not receive the travel services for which they paid, due to the insolvency or bankruptcy of an Ontario-registered travel agent or travel wholesaler or due to the cessation of an end supplier airline or cruise line.  The Fund only covers consumers who have booked through an Ontario-registered travel agent. The Fund is administered by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, a not-for-profit corporation. TICO may be contacted at (905) 624-6241 or 1-888-451-TICO. Or visit TICO’s web site at www.tico.ca or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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For More Information, Media Please Contact:
Mr. Michael Pepper
President and C.E.O.
Travel Industry Council of Ontario
Tel: (905) 624-6241 / Toll Free: 1-888-451-TICO