TICO Releases Funding Framework Proposals
Well they’re here … after conducting a comprehensive funding framework review — including the Compensation Fund — the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has released its proposal for a future funding model and launched a consultation period.
TICO CEO Richard Smart observed that: “Throughout the past year, we researched other comparable regulators and listened to insights from consumers, industry and stakeholders, and have developed a proposal that reflects what we heard. Our approach carefully balances the needs of consumers and of industry, while also being pragmatic.”
Smart continued: “The proposal we’re sharing today reflects TICO’s commitment to develop a fair and modern funding model that reflects cost recovery, delivers value to stakeholders during this time of industry renewal, and continues to keep consumer protection at the forefront.”
In releasing the proposals for its future funding framework, fee structure and Compensation Fund, TICO noted that registrants will be consulted on them during a series of upcoming stakeholder sessions.
The five key proposals include:
Compensation Fund
1. Decrease Compensation Fund payments to $0.05/$1,000 from $0.25/$1,000 of Ontario Gross Sales.
2. Remove non-contributing end-supplier coverage (airlines and cruise lines) from the Compensation Fund, subject to government consideration and decision-making.
3. Double the maximum Compensation Fund payment per person to $10,000 from $5,000 for consumers, subject to government consideration and decision-making.
Registration Renewal Fees
4. Recalibrate registrant renewal fees, with modernized and more equitable fee bands.
Other
5. Institute new late filing fees to encourage timely submission of required documentation and ensure efficient processing.
TICO notes that proposals #1, #4 and #5 have an anticipated implementation date of April 1, 2024.
Proposals #2 and #3 are subject to government consideration and decision-making and are not within TICO’s authority to implement at this time. TICO may need to reassess its fees in the future if these proposals are not implemented.
Some quick facts on the new proposals include
- The majority of registrants can expect a modest adjustment to their total fees payable to TICO.
- 35% of registrants will see their total fees to TICO decrease (combined registration renewal fees and Compensation Fund payments).
- 3.6% is the average aggregate rate of increase in total fees paid to TICO by registrants, based on historical Ontario sales.
TICO has developed a detailed guide of each proposal, along with key insights and survey data from the comprehensive funding framework review. To view the detailed guide, please click here.
For those who want to estimate fees payable to TICO — combined registration renewal fees and Compensation Fund payments — under the proposed funding framework, please click here.
In the video below, TICO’s CEO Richard Smart Addresses Quebec’s Consumer Pay Model
TICO is conducting a comprehensive consultation with registrants and stakeholders about the proposals.
There are two ways to get involved
1. Complete an online survey and provide your written feedback. Click here to get started.
The survey will remain open until Friday, November 10, 2023. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
2. Attend a virtual or in-person focus group. To register for a session, please visit TICO’s website.
Thursday, October 12 – Mississauga
TICO’s office
55 Standish Court, Suite 460
Mississauga, ON L5R 4B2
10 am – 12 pm
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
5 pm – 7 pm
Monday, October 16 – Virtual (Zoom) — 12 pm – 2 pm
Tuesday, October 24 – Ottawa
Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport
2400 Alert Road, Ottawa, ON K1V 1S1
9 am – 11 am
12 pm – 2 pm
4 pm – 6 pm
Friday, October 27 – Virtual (Zoom) — 10 am – 12 pm
Monday, October 30 – Virtual for Northern Ontario registrants (Zoom) — 2 pm – 4 pm
Thursday, November 2 – Waterloo
The Inn of Waterloo & Conference Centre
475 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z5
9:30 am – 11:30 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 7 – Virtual (Zoom) — 3 pm – 5 pm
Timeline
Thursday, October 5, 2023 – TICO announces proposals and launches consultation period
Friday, November 10, 2023 – Consultation period concludes
Monday, April 1, 2024 – Anticipated effective date for proposed changes #1, #4 and #5
Go to https://tico.ca/travel-professionals/funding-framework-and-fee-review.html for more.
