Yes. It is mandated by the Travel Industry Act, 2002. Failure to comply with the TICO education requirements could result in some form of administrative or disciplinary action being taken by the Registrar against the Travel Agent.
TICO is operating remotely, but we're here to assist you. For more information, please click here. Any questions can be directed to TICO's complaints team at or 1-888-451-TICO (8426).
TICO
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|
| TICO | Training Institute for Careers in Organizing (New York, NY) |
| TICO | Tasmanian Index of Community Organisations (Australia) |
| TICO | Texas Insurance Checking Office, Inc. (Austin, TX) |
| TICO | Thrombolysis in Coronary Occlusion (cardiology) |
Average salaries by Province
| Northwest Territories | $48,484 |
|---|
| Nova Scotia | $64,981 |
| Nunavut | $72,280 |
| Ontario | $45,858 |
| Prince Edward Island | $67,754 |
The pay isn't necessarily exorbitant—the median income is $38,700 a year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but according to Pindar, it can actually be much higher. “Agents make anywhere from $50K to $100K on the low end and up to $250K to $500K annually,†says Pindar.
If you are unsure whether the company is registered with TICO, contact TICO at 1-888-451-TICO or go to TICO's website and use TICO's Travel Agency Search feature to find out if the company or website is registered.
The Texas Insurance Checking Office, Inc. (TICO) is the statistical agent for the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for Private Passenger Automobile, Residential Property, and Farm and Ranch insurance. Companies must report per statistical plans approved by the TDI. TICO was established in 1935 in Austin, Texas.
TICO administers the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 and Regulation 26/05, which governs and sets standards for all travel retailers and travel wholesalers in the province of Ontario. You may view or download the current legislation, available in both English and French.
There are two recognized certifications that will enhance your skills as a travel agent. These certifications are CTA (Certified Travel Associate) and CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor). You can apply for CTA designation with at least 12 months of experience in the retail travel industry.
Here's the steps to take to start your travel agency from home:
- Find a Travel Agency Niche:
- Choose your travel agency's name:
- Choose a Business Structure:
- Creating your Travel Agency Business Plan:
- Register your company with the state:
- Get an FEIN (optional, but recommended):
- Set up your travel agency financials:
Travelling between provinces/territoriesWhether you drive or fly, if you travel within Canada, without having been out of the country, there are no federal travel requirements, but there may be provincial or territorial rules and restrictions.
TICO is a wholly financed by registration fees paid by Ontario travel agencies and travel wholesalers. The Travel Industry Compensation Fund is financed entirely by Ontario travel industry registrants through contributions based on their sales revenues.
The Travel Counsellor Exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The time limit is 90 minutes.
The agency must have worked for a minimum of one year before applying. The company must have a neat, clean and well-maintained office occupying at least 150 sq. ft in India and at least 100 sq. ft in areas which are over 1000 meters above sea level.
Complete a Certificate III in Travel (SIT30216). You may also study a travel course at a diploma, bachelor or masters degree level, which may include a business management component. Gain accreditation with the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS).
According to the Alberta Occupational Profiles website, the average salary for a travel agent in Alberta is $16.05 per hour.
The very minimum professional certification a travel agent can attain is the Certified Travel Associate (CTA). This can be earned after 18 months of travel industry experience. You cannot become “certified†with them until you have been on the job for at least a year and a half, studied for and passed a rigorous exam.
Yes. Travel agents are permitted to charge a counselling fee. Just as lawyers, accountants and other professionals levy a charge for their services and professional expertise, so may travel agents.
To become a travel agent, you need to have completed your high school education or equivalent and then pursue the relevant tourism course. As per the Alberta Occupational Profiles site, a travel agent in Alberta has an average hourly salary of $16.05.
