MISSISSAUGA — With the upcoming launch of its new online education program, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has opened a targeted consultation on proposed changes to exam fees.

Set to launch later this year, the new, fully interactive e-program – designed for those aspiring to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers – will be delivered in collaboration with an adult education provider, moving from a static online manual that relies on memorization to an interactive e-learning adult program.

Upon launch, the Certification exam fee – which has not changed since 2009 – will need to be adjusted to cover the cost of developing, operating and enhancing the program.

Registrants and stakeholders can review a presentation outlining the new program and proposed fee adjustment here, and provide feedback via an on online survey here. The deadline to provide feedback is June 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

“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.”

The new program will feature a single exam, covering both the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager curriculum. For individuals who are already certified as a Travel Counsellor but are looking to complete the Supervisor/Manager designation, there will be a transition period with a minimum of 60 days’ notice during which the existing program can be completed.

The new fee only applies to individuals who are entering the industry and are taking their TICO Certification exam. Nearly 112,000 individuals have successfully completed TICO’s Certification exams since inception in 2009.

To view the presentation, click here. To take the survey, click here. For questions, email feeddback@tico.ca.