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Page 12, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, February 24, 1993 business news Readl travel brochures carefully "Can they do that?" is a question being asked by many consumers who have recently booked and paid for winter vacations in the south. Ontario's consumer ministry has received a number of calis frorn people whose travel agents have informed them the price of their vacation has increased even after they>ve paid in full. They have to corne up with an extra four or five per cent of the price of their holiday te compensate for a lower foreign exchange rate on the Canadian dollar. The right to increase the price must be specified in the travel brochure or other advertising material supplied by the agent, but may be in the fine. print consumers often overlook. "Changes in price don't ýake vacationers -- or the agents who give them the bad news -- very happy, but are within the law," says Michael Pepper, travel registrar at the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Statements outlining issues, such as refund policies as well as other termis and conditions of the supplier providing the travel services, must be included in the brochure. "Under the Travel Industry Act, the price of a holiday can be increased by up te seven per cent before dep'arture, provided the possibility is stated in the brochure," Pepper says. "If it's raised by more than that, for any reason other than an increase in government taxes, the consumer has the option of cancelling the trip." Pepper says consumers who haven't already dose se, should take the time te learn more about their rights and responsibilities when buying travel services. Ho stresses the following points. Deal with a registered agent. Make sure the registration is current -- ask to see it if it's not posted. Ail registered travel agents in Ontario must contribute to the Travel Industry Compensation Fund. If you pay for services but don't receive them because the company goes out of business, you can apply for compensation. Claims against the industry- financed fund can be made up te a limit of $3,500 for each passenger's vacation. Read brochures carefully. AUl travel brochures and advertisements provincial law: saccurately must, under describe the location -- if the room is advertised as beachfront, the sand should start near the door, not across the street; estate the maximum price of a holiday package, if a minimum price is quoted; *give descriptions of accom- modations that specify if construction is underway, or the facility is incomplete; * state prices i Canadian dollars, unless they say otherwise; and, * clearly list taxes, service charges and membership fees if they apply. Find eut what documents and insurance you need and tell your agent any relevant information that may affect your entry into another country at the time of booking. Agents are obliged te, inform vacationers what travel documents and medical certificates they need, but it is the passenger's responsibility to obtain them and make sure they're up te date. Travel health insurance has recently changed both in price and the plans availahie, particularly for seniors. Also, insurance coverage offered by credit-card, companies on rentai SEE PAGE 31 Booking now for. 1993 tournaments KIDIBOIDII TOIRNBT DATE & MUEBSeP CALL 72e.6641 OR 725-8296 GOLF & DINNER TOURAETPACKAGE INCLUDES: Deluxe Hot & CoId Buffet or New York Sirloin Dinner WEEKDAYS $32.00O WEEKENDS $35.00 ANNANDALE AIIGolf & CoufltrX Club i P.O. Box 91, Ajax Il S 3C2 (416) 683-3210 GLeN CeDA'RS GOLF CLUB BRFAWNClu GOLF AIS MILL RUNOMNRY UI At Miii Run Golf & Country Club we feature a 6300 yd. championship5 18-hole course. BookG N8w2or6P2me2 euxT RO 4-1670e The Challenge les Yours! Tournaments 649-2436 Weddings 2nd Rd. North of Hwy. #7 East off of Brodc Rd., Pickeng