TIA Amendment Would Impose ‘Total Price’ Rule On Canadian Agents
by Michele McDonaldPic:
Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Services has proposed requiring Canadian travel agents and wholesalers to display the total price of a travel service to consumers, including all taxes, fees, levies and other charges, when advertising the service.
The ministry said the proposed new rule would “harmonize” some aspects of Ontario’s requirements for displaying or advertising the price of travel services with federal requirements for advertising air travel services.
It is one of three proposed amendments to the Travel Industry Act, which governs and sets standards for all travel retailers and wholesalers in the province.
The other amendments would exempt businesses that exclusively offer one-day tours from TIA requirements, and modify certain registration and operating requirements to allow for flexibility for not-for-profit corporations promoting tourism in Ontario.
The ministry said it welcomes feedback and encourages anyone interested to provide comments on its proposal. All comments are due by April 18.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario, which administers and enforces the TIA, will address the amendments at a briefing later this week. It will also be making “an important announcement that will affect all travel retailers and travel wholesalers in Ontario.”
