WD World Travel TICO-approved

WD World Travel with its host agency division have been registered by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO). WD World Travel’s host agency division will now complete the memberships of a number of travel consultants in Ontario who have been waiting for the host agency’s full service and pricing. The agency’s services also are available to small travel agencies that want to concentrate on marketing and sales while transitioning back-office work to a host agency. WD World Travel is based in Vancouver. The agency established a host agency division earlier this year after CEO Robert Durant (pictured) and Chief Operating Officer Greg Wittig decided to start a new unit instead of partnering with an existing host agency. “We wanted to provide affordable, exceptional service to the independent agents who make up the fastest growing segment of our part of the travel industry,”said Durant, who is also Past International Chair of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). “There is a real need for a new kind of host agency in the Canadian market.”The agency is a long-time registrant with the Consumer Protection B.C. program. The TICO registration opens the door for Ontario’s independent travel consultants to work with the experienced leisure and business travel staff at WD World Travel. WD World Travel has established an office in Guelph, Ont., to service Ontario and eastern Canada, managed by veteran travel consultant, David Rowley. Consultants hosted by WD World Travel keep 80% to 90% of revenues they earn from commissions and other income from their travel sales, according to Jacqueline Jamieson, head of the host agency division. Consultants contracting with WD World Travel do not pay TICO registration fees and can combine their personal or company names with the WD World Travel brand. “The process of registering with TICO can be expensive, complex and time-consuming for any agency,”said Durant. “Registration ensures protection for the travel consumer in Ontario and calls for a high degree of expertise by our growing number of travel consultants in the province, so it is worth our cost and effort.”