October 2, 2025 - TICO’s Annual Meeting showcases strategic achievements and welcomes new Directors
Mississauga, ONT. – The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) held its Annual Meeting on September 25, 2025, to provide an update on key achievements from the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The Annual Meeting was also an opportunity to highlight how the industry is changing, and how TICO is responding. “Both TICO and Ontario’s travel marketplace are evolving within a rapidly changing global environment,” said TICO’s CEO Richard Smart. “Consumer expectations, industry practices, and external pressures continue to shift. Our role is to adapt to these changes, by preparing for possible risks, strengthening our oversight and ensuring consumer protection remains at the heart of everything we do.”
Key updates at the Annual Meeting included:
- Remarks from the Honourable Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, who observed the critical importance of providing confidence and peace-of-mind to travel consumers, while ensuring a competitive and resilient marketplace.
- An update about TICO’s implementation of the recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario’s value-for-money audit report published in December 2023. To date, TICO has addressed 74% of the action items under its control, delivering positive results in how the organization protects consumers and oversees Ontario’s travel marketplace.
- During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Ontario Gross Sales were $18 billion, which represents about 99% of the prior year’s sales and those recorded in the peak year prior to the pandemic. While sales have been brisk, TICO recognizes that for some registrants, it continues to be a challenging time with the burden of COVID debt still looming. TICO’s compliance team continues to monitor and work with registrants on maintaining overall compliance.
- Over the past year, TICO focused on enhancing stakeholder engagement. This included meeting industry members at events across the province, providing speaking updates at conferences and having productive dialogue at trade show booths. Additionally, the Consumer Advisory Council and Industry Advisory Council brought fresh perspectives and insights to the Board, strengthening its governance and oversight roles.
The Annual Meeting was also an opportunity for registrants to elect two Directors to the TICO Board, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to balanced representation:
- Mike Foster – Elected industry Director for a three-year term; and
- Heather Colquhoun – Elected public Director for a three-year term.
TICO acknowledges the commitment and impact of outgoing Directors:
- Andrew Dawson – Elected industry Director
- Nadirah Nazeer – Ministerial appointee
Following TICO’s Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors named Robert Townshend as the Vice-Chair of the Board. The Vice-Chair appointment is for one year.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank our outgoing Directors for their dedication and contributions in ensuring a fair and trusted travel marketplace in Ontario,” said TICO Chair Michael Levinson. “I would also like to welcome our new Directors, whose unique perspectives and experiences will strengthen our approach to governance and help guide TICO in a rapidly evolving travel sector.”
A recording of the Annual Meeting is available.
For more information about TICO’s activities, please view the Annual Report for fiscal year 2024-2025 and the Business Plan for 2025-2028.
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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Media contact
Kristina Wilson
Stakeholder Relations Manager