Category: Travel Tips
TICO’s March Break Survival Guide – 5 Must-Do Tips Before you Leave for Your Holiday
The March Break countdown is officially on! You’ve spent countless hours deliberating destinations, reading reviews and crunching the budget before you decided on the perfect destination for your family. Now that March Break is mere days away, the whole family is excited about the beach, ski slopes or historic sites that await them. To make…
Most Common Travel Complaints to TICO’s Consumer Hotline – and how to avoid the same pitfalls!
You’ve been researching vacation destinations, saving up money, and learning about all of the must-see attractions you’d like to visit. But, have you thought about how you’ll protect yourself in case the unexpected happens either before or during your holiday? As the year winds down, we look at some of the common calls received by…
What happens when a travel company goes out of business?
Over the last few years, there have been several iconic travel businesses that closed their doors. This has included both local Ontario-based businesses and iconic names like Thomas Cook, an airline and tour operator in the UK and Crystal Cruises, a luxury US-based cruise line. But what did those closures mean for Ontarians? Did you…
3 Ways to Tell if a Home-Based Travel Agency is Registered
In Ontario, the travel industry has experienced a dramatic increase in home-based travel agencies and travel counsellors working as outside sales representatives on behalf of travel agencies. While registered home-based travel agencies are completely legal, consumers should take the same precautions they would when dealing with a brick and mortar or online travel agency. To…
Travel Tips for Crossing the Canadian/U.S. Land Border
Check out these travel tips, handy apps and websites to ensure you have all the correct documentation and information to reduce your wait times at the border: 1. Know before you go Make sure you have the correct travel documents to enter the U.S. and to re-enter Canada: For current U.S. entry requirements, click…
6 Travel Tips to Avoid Getting Dinged by Airline Baggage Fees
It used to be when you travelled by air, fees such as baggage were included in the ticket price. Today, most airlines have turned to charging fees for services such as advance seating selection and baggage. These types of fees have proven to be one of the main drivers of improved financial performance for the…
Need to Cancel Your Trip? Why Trip Cancellation Insurance is Important
Always Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance While nobody ever expects to cancel their vacation plans, unexpected situations can occur, and cancellation charges levied by airlines, cruise lines, hotels and tour companies can amount to as much as 100% of the purchase price. This is why travel insurance is always recommended. By law, in Ontario, whether booking online,…
Do I Need Travel Insurance When Travelling Within Canada?
Most Canadians are aware of the importance of purchasing travel protection such as cancellation and medical insurance when travelling outside the country. However many Canadians do not even consider purchasing medical insurance when travelling within Canada. The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) does not sell travel insurance, but we do recommend that travellers consider…