TICO Seeks Input on Certification and Exam Fees
by Marsha Mowers
TICO prosecutes unregistered companies and individuals with the goal of maintaining a level playing field.
From now until June 30, The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is looking for input from its registrants and stakeholders regarding fees associated with the TICO certification and exam.
The organization is enhancing the Certification program and exam for those wishing to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers.
“Enhancing the Certification program will strengthen travel professionals’ consumer protection knowledge as they enter the industry, which in turn will benefit the consumers they guide in their travel purchases,” said TICO CEO Richard Smart. “As part of this enhancement, we’re reviewing the related fees to ensure they remain fair, transparent and aligned with cost recovery.”
Later in 2025, TICO will launch a new, fully interactive online education program, delivered in collaboration with a leading-edge adult education provider. The new program focuses on having learners apply the program’s regulatory and consumer protection content, enhancing regulatory knowledge and professionalism.
Once the new e-learning program has launched, the Certification exam fee will need to be adjusted to reflect the cost associated with developing, operating and enhancing the new program.
Registrants and stakeholders are invited to review a presentation outlining the new program and proposed fee adjustment. Any feedback can be submitted to TICO via an online survey. Deadline to submit is June 30 at 4:00pm ET. Anyone with questions can email feedback@tico.ca.
- To review the consultation presentation: click here
- To send feedback via the online survey: click here
Nearly 112,000 individuals have successfully completed TICO’s Certification exams since inception in 2009. The new fee only applies to individuals who are entering the industry and are taking their TICO Certification exam. The new program will feature a single exam, covering both the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager curriculum, ensuring that all new entrants to the industry have a comprehensive view of their obligations.
