What must travel agencies in Ontario register with TICO?

Travel agencies in Ontario are required to register with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) by providing a financial guarantee or security bond. This requirement is in place to protect consumers and ensure that travel agencies adhere to certain financial standards and practices. The financial guarantee serves as a form of consumer protection, allowing clients to recover funds should the agency fail to provide the services that were purchased.

The other options do not meet the requirements set forth by TICO for registration. A business license may be necessary for operating a business generally, but it does not provide the same level of financial security for consumers. Similarly, a consumer survey or a service quality assessment are not prerequisites for registration; they may serve different purposes in terms of evaluating performance or consumer satisfaction but are not mandates for compliance with TICO regulations. Thus, the financial guarantee or security bond is the key component that ensures both compliance and consumer protection in the travel industry.