Non-Financial Compliance

 

OUTSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Can I advertise my own business name if I am an outside sales representative?
No. You can only advertise the name of the travel agency that you are working for and have a contract with. Unless that agency opts to register an additional business name under their company, you may not advertise your own business name. Section 31 (2) requires that any advertising for the sale of travel services must contain the registrant's name, address and registration number.




ADVERTISING

I am in charge of placing ads in the newspaper for my agency. Is it sufficient to state "taxes not included"?
No. Section 33 of the Regulation states that a representation that refers to the price of travel services must include all fees, levies, charges, service charges, surcharges either in one price or with the price of the travel services plus all fees, levies, service charges and surcharges. If the fees, levies, service charges and surcharges are shown separately, they can be shown as a total or an itemized list. The additional fees, levies, service charges and surcharges must be shown in a clear and prominent manner and not in the fine print. The only items that the price does not have to include are GST and PST.

Does an advertisement for the sale of travel services have to contain the TICO logo?
It is a requirement for a registrant to have their registration number in the ad, however, there is no specific provision in the legislation that requires the registrant to include the TICO logo in advertising. TICO encourages every registrant to utilize the logo to support TICO's Consumer Awareness Campaign "Always look for the TICO sign when you book your travel time ".




INVOICING

Do I have to issue an invoice for a booking that was made over the telephone and is only on credit card deposit?
Yes, the Regulation requires the travel agent to promptly provide the customer with an invoice upon selling travel services. Even when a booking is made over the telephone, an invoice should be mailed, e-mailed or faxed immediately following the sale transaction.

Click here for Sample Invoice (for reference only)



TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

I am a travel agent and I verbally advised the customer about the requirement to have a valid passport to travel to the destination. The passenger was denied boarding because he did not have a valid passport and now the customer has come back to me for a refund. What are my obligations?
Section 36(e) requires the travel agent to advise the customer, prior to booking, about the typical information and documents that will be needed for each person who is traveling. Also, the travel agent must indicate that entry may be denied even with the proper documents and the living conditions in destination may differ from those found in Canada. Section 38(k) requires that the information provided prior to booking be included in the statement, invoice or receipt provided to the customer after selling the travel services.




MISCELLANEOUS

I conduct one-day tours for seniors. Do I need to be registered?
The Act defines a travel agent as "a person who sells, to consumers, travel services provided by another person," and a travel service as "transportation, sleeping accommodation or other service for the use of a traveller, tourist or sightseer." For example, if you collect money from consumers and pass it on to a bus company to provide the transportation, you are acting as a travel agent and therefore require registration as such.

There are exemptions from registration found in section 2. Please contact our Registration Department with your questions.

How long do I have to keep books and records at my travel agency?
All books and records must be kept for a period of at least six years at the registrant's place of business.



TICO EDUCATION STANDARDS

Click here for Q&A's on TICO Education Standards