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Sunday, November 7, 1999 Oakville Beaver Weekend 37 T ra v e l & E n te rta in m e n t An O akville B eaver Feature To advertise in this section call 845-3824 Fax:845-5516 K eep in g w a tch o n th e tra vel in d u stry Pepper, comparing to the lack of a TICO registration to prac ticing without a licence. Planning a trip? Buyer And, travellers who do not beware. get the vacation they paid for This is the advice from con from a TICO member is enti sumer watchdog TICO - the tled to individual compensa Travel Industry Council of tion of up to $3,500. Ontario. "If an agency sells you a The biggest concern is pur vacation package from an outchasing vacation packages of-province wholesaler, than from unregulated travel opera that agency is responsible for tors offering `deals too good to what happens to your money," be true,' or providing one's explains Pepper. credit card number over the TICO is launching an Internet to an outawareness cam of-province travel paign because agent or wholesaler. travel packages can now be In both instances, the con booked via the sumer is not pro Internet without tected by TICO, a the consumer knowing whether n o n -fo r-p ro fit the agent and a d m in is tra tiv e wholesaler are reg authority, when things go wrong. istered or not. "Every travel Pepper notes agency and whole the Internet is an saler in Ontario ideal place to find Michael Pepper must be registered information about with TICO," says its president travel destinations, but cauand chief executive officer, tions prices quoted in Michael Pepper, a resident of American funds make the cost Glen Abbey. about 40% higher in Canadian TICO was established in funds because of the exchange June 1997 by the provincial rate. "The consumer is exposed government to administer and enforce the Ontario Travel to so many different media, Industry Act. Pepper, who was and is more exposed to losing with TICO since its inception, their money," said Pepper, was previously with the concerned about credit card Ontario Ministry of Consumer holders giving their numbers and Commercial Relations, in to unregistered agents and charge of registering travel wholesalers on the Internet. agencies and wholesalers. Pepper urges would-be `T h e provincial govern travellers to ask travel agencies ment has delegated this author about TICO, and if the whole ity to TICO," he said. salers they deal with are also Currently, TICO is embark registered. ing on an aggressive public "You can ask for their reg awareness campaign to caution istration numbers," says travellers to make sure they get Pepper. the vacation they pay for. Consumers benefit from It has 3,000 registered trav knowing this information. el agencies and wholesalers in "It gives them the opportu its registry - 35 of them in the nity for compensation if things Oakville area. Bruce Hood of go wrong." This may include Bruce Hood Travel sits on not getting the hotel suite you TICO's board of directors con paid for, or the cabin you paid sisting of 11 travel agency rep for aboard a cruise ship. resentatives and four govern "In order for an agency or ment appointees. wholesaler remain registered, The oiganization adminis there must be full disclosure to ters the $15 million Ontario the consumer. That means no Travel Industry Compensation hidden costs, and truth in Fund, made up of members' advertising. contributions based on gross "And, it protects the con sales. sumer against not getting what Ontario's travel industry is they paid for due to the insol a $6.5 billion business, of vency or bankruptcy of a trav which about $2 billion flows el agent or wholesaler." through to the wholesalers, and Pepper notes the price of a the other $4.5 billion goes to vacation package may not what Pepper describes as "end increase by more than 7% over suppliers" - cruise ships, air the originally quote price, lines, trains, and hotels. according to TICO's regula "Each travel agency and tions. wholesaler must register with `T h e message is clear. TICO, and pay into this com When making travel arrange pensation fund," emphasizes ments, always book with an By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Ontario registered travel agency. To ensure the company you are about to pur chase travel services from is registered, simply took for the TICO certificate of registration, ask your travel agent if it is a member, or when in doubt, call our orga nization directly," says Pepper. "Doing your homework in advance can save you a lot of headaches in the long run." TICO, based in Mississauga, has a staff of 22 including inspectors with the power to revoke registrations, issue investigation orders and to assign and lay charges. "That can include anything from breath of trust to operating without registration." It receives about 40 complaints a month. The organization also has the power to repatriate consumers who encounter major disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. For more information about TICO, call 1-888-451-TICO, or visit its web site at: www.tico.on.ca HIT THE SLOPES WITH WORLD OF VACATIONS World of Vacations has released a brochure detailing ski vacations in WHISTLER, BANFF, LAKE LOUISE, JASPER, SUN PEAKS, BIG WHITE, SILVER STAR, PANORAMA, FERNIE, THUNDER BAY, TREMBLANT & MONTSAINT-ANNE. All packages include travel with Canadian Airlines, lift tickets, accommodations and transfers. GREAT SKIING IDEAS CANADIAN $$! AND IN WHnfier(/efcuoaij? Gome andG /a/k to oar E xperienced Gom idtants I BRITISH AIRWAYS' LONDON EYE' -REPORTEDLY THE WORLD'S LARGEST OBSERVATION WHEEL - is in place. The 1300-tonne structure is taller than St Paul's Cathedral and, at 135 metres, nearly twice the height of Big Ben. It's a breathtaking piece of architecture that will provide unique views for millions of visitors to the capital. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the "Eye" will operate on a continuous rotation and carry up to 15,000 visitors a day. The 30-minute ride offers views of up to 40 kilometres in radius. It will be operational on Dec. 31 and open to the public in January 2000. S h a ro n Anne J u st le a v in g fo r G a il Bahamas Specialist R ecently retu rn ed fr o m Barbados Hawaii T e re s a Ju st Back fr o m a Mediterranean Cruise K im Certified Cruise Specialist ii T in a J u st retu rn ed fr o m Italy/Sicily 1 c W eoe G /raoededG fhe 'W orld Professional Service td Experience Knowledge Cottger' s /4 6 \/a A e sA o re y fy io a t/' <Sawt, Q a A o t//e TrS THE VACATION OF A LIFETIME ON A `FLOATING RESORT' a coiise in the Caribbean, where you get friendly personal service, Broadway-style entertainment, on-board programs for adults and children, health and fitness centres, activities, activities, and more. Plus you get to visit beautiful sunbleached beaches and fascinating sights at some of the many beautiful Caribbean islands. GIVE A CRUISE A LOOK FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION - let the professional travel and cmise officials at Bruce Hood Travel assist you with all your planning. P h o n e : (905) 8 4 2 -4 9 9 9 Toll F r e e : 1 -8 00-66 1 -3 7 6 5 Fax: (905) 8 4 2 -3 7 4 4 E m ail: lak e sh o r@ g o lig erstra v elp lu s.co m W e b site: w w w .g o b g e rstra v elp lu s.c o m ll ' r - ? ? ? F a m ily V a l u e s . . . Kids* Play, Eat t . Fly FREE! Puerto DID YOU KNOW: GOLFPLUS VACATIONS has a pre-Christmas December 12-15 GOLF IN FLORIDA package for you. Lots of extras for only $879. A nice few days break! Domingo 1 Hamaca Beach Hotel & Casino ^ Moya*Riviera f& « i£ ) c h .b 0 Caracol Vdlrgr Plata TRAVEL TIP OF THE WEEK: Go south to where the butterflies go... Bahia Principe \ ^ m m r '***+' » s1 9 2 9 Dec 25 7 nights bi!b)52 2 2 9 7 «ghts 'lacWM1 HE. ? GWpqi 19 Dec 25 \ *a **m m M **.*t+ y __ __ _ _ __ > < *M 2 H E ire*p**r79. $1699?££ ^ m v For Mew Bookings On^. * *2000 Savings reflects maxim um per fam ily of 4 as in dicated above. Savings vary dependent upon hotel, destination Early Booking Bonus if applicable. Other hotels and dates covering New tear's also on sale. Ask yo v Traw l Agent for d e ta il. Space e subject to a v a tttty at Ime of bockng Pncesare subyect to change without notice Fights are from Toronto via Canada 3000. Pricesare per person, based on double occupancy in the tones! room category unless otherwise (ideated Taxes& travel related fees are extra. ForM deals, terms and condtons refer I dthe curent Canada 3000 Sin Escapes brocfwe Ont Reg #04589982 _ __ s & & tu iA c G ^ ic ia td 146 Lakeshore Rd. E. 842-4999 C o U g er'sTrsve/P\us 511 Maple Grove I7r. 849-7013 825-5555 2359 L akeshore Rd. W. 257-8747 2387 T rafalgar Rd. Also in Halton Hills and Milton v Ip ` tsu xo m y Hke T l/o tld S in c e !* /6 t ^