July 17, 2025 - Former travel agency owner sentenced to 18 months in jail for defrauding consumers of religious travel packages
Mississauga, ONT. – Mohamed Hachemi Bensaci, the former Director of Holy Destinations Travel Inc., has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and ordered to pay $436,500 in restitution, while Holy Destinations Travel Inc. was fined $35,000 after pleading guilty to a combined total of 59 offenses under the Travel Industry Act, 2002.
Holy Destinations Travel Inc. operated as a registered travel agency in Ontario from 2019 until its registration was revoked by TICO on July 26, 2023, following consumer complaints. The agency, which specialized in Islamic pilgrimages such as Hajj, was accused of collecting consumer payments without delivering the travel services consumers purchased.
In 2022, the Saudi Arabian government mandated that Hajj travel packages for North Americans be sold exclusively through a government portal, preventing travel agencies from offering them.
Despite this, Holy Destinations continued selling Hajj packages in 2023 to unsuspecting consumers and failed to deposit consumer funds into its trust account.
In total, 41 consumers had combined losses of $436,500. In some instances, the Travel Industry Compensation Fund reimbursed consumer complainants for a portion of their losses, totalling $142,000.
This case underscores the importance of booking travel with a TICO-registered travel agency, booking website or tour operator. TICO-registered businesses are held to strict consumer protection laws, including financial safeguards, to ensure consumers receive the travel services they purchase. TICO’s mandate to industry also includes promoting a fair and ethical marketplace through an effective and efficient regulatory framework.
TICO offers a free online directory (tico.ca/search) where consumers can verify if they are booking with a TICO-registered travel business.
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.
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. 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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Kristina Wilson
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