July 14, 2025 - Convicted: Travelgirl Inc. and Tarcia Brown
Mississauga, ONT. – After being charged by TICO, Travelgirl Inc. was convicted of one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered.
Tarcia Brown was also convicted of one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered and one count of being an Officer and Director of a Corporation and failing to take reasonable care to prevent the Corporation from committing an offence.
Tarcia Brown was fined $15,625, inclusive of a victim surcharge. Both Tarcia Brown and Travelgirl Inc. were sentenced to a two-year probation.
In April 2020, Tarcia Brown signed an undertaking with TICO in which she agreed to conditions that she would not: hold herself out as a travel agent, provide counselling services about travel services or carry on activities related to selling travel services provided by another person.
In October 2024, Tarcia Brown pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to fraud when selling travel, with ongoing sentencing proceedings. This is a separate matter from TICO’s conviction.
Individuals convicted in Court of offences relating to the Travel Industry Act, 2002 are subject to fines of up to $50,000 and/or prison terms of up to two years. Corporations are subject to fines of up to $250,000.
TICO prosecutes unregistered companies and individuals to maintain a level playing field and the integrity of Ontario’s travel marketplace to ensure consumers are confident purchasing travel from registered professionals.
About TICO
Formed in 1997, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) regulates Ontario’s approximately 1,900 travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators. TICO administers the Travel Industry Act, 2002 on behalf of the Ontario government. As a consumer protection organization, TICO facilitates a consumer complaints process and administers the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. By booking travel with a TICO-registered business, consumers have access to added protection. To verify if a company is registered with TICO, and for helpful information and resources, visit www.tico.ca.
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Media contact
Kristina Wilson
Stakeholder Relations Manager