Consumer protection, industry updates, board elections on TICO AGM agenda

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) held its Annual Meeting this week,  sharing updates on Ontario’s travel marketplace, consumer protection activities and key achievements from the past fiscal year.

Richard Smart, TICO’s CEO, observed that: “Ontario’s travel marketplace continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a volatile and changing environment.”

Smart continued: “As expectations evolve, TICO remains focused on protecting consumers, supporting registrants, and continuously improving how we deliver on our mandate to maintain confidence in the marketplace.”

Key updates delivered at the AGM included:

• Remarks from the Honourable Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, on the importance of helping consumers book with confidence while supporting a healthy travel marketplace in Ontario.
• Market update: Ontario’s travel sector remained strong during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with gross sales reaching $18.4 billion, slightly higher than the previous year. Ontarians continue to prioritize travel, though economic pressures, global uncertainty and shifting consumer expectations continue to shape the marketplace.
• Auditor General progress: TICO continued implementing recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2023 performance audit, with 91 per cent of actions directed solely to TICO now complete. Over the past year, TICO has focused on improvements that help consumers better understand their rights, make it easier to verify whether a business is registered, and direct regulatory oversight to areas of greater risk.
• Ongoing support for consumers, including responding to nearly 3,000 inquiries, handling 136 written complaints and helping consumers recover more than $95,000 in restitution. TICO also continued to provide guidance and information to help consumers understand their rights and make informed travel decisions.
• Certification Program: Early results from TICO’s enhanced Certification Program, launched in January 2026, show more than 90 per cent of students report feeling prepared to apply consumer protection knowledge in their work.

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:

• Leo Sgovio — Elected industry Director for a three-year term; and
• Christopher Warren — Elected public Director for a three-year term.

TICO also acknowledged the commitment and impact of outgoing Directors:

• Michael Levinson — Ministerial appointee and past Chair
• Robert Townshend — Elected industry Director and past Vice-Chair of the Board

Following TICO’s Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors named Mike Foster as the Vice-Chair of the Board. The Vice-Chair appointment is for one year.

TICO Chair Andrew Gibbons said that: “Serving on TICO’s Board requires a significant commitment, and I want to sincerely thank our outgoing Directors for their leadership and dedication.”

Gibbons continued: “Their contributions have left a lasting impact on the organization. I’m also excited to welcome our new Directors and look forward to working together as we continue to respond to the changing needs of consumers and the travel industry.”

Go to www.tico.ca for more.