TICO Travel Counsellor Practice Test
Free · 140 Questions.

Question 1

Under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, what is the primary mandate of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO)?

• A. To administer and enforce provincial travel legislation and ensure consumer protection in travel sales in Ontario.
• B. To set mandatory airline ticket prices and regulate international flight routes and landing slots across Canada.
• C. To negotiate corporate hotel contracts and manage marketing campaigns for hospitality chains.
• D. To operate provincial rail terminals and manage municipal transit safety standards in Ontario.

Explanation: TICO is a not-for-profit delegated administrative authority mandated by the Ontario government to administer the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and protect consumers purchasing travel services.

Question 2

In Ontario, who must be registered with TICO before selling travel services?

• A. Hotel front desk clerks, municipal tourism information office staff and any other employees who only answer general visitor questions.
• B. Every travel retailer (agent), including online sellers, and every travel wholesaler selling travel services in or from Ontario.
• C. Only scheduled international airline carriers operating out of Pearson Airport.
• D. Individual leisure passengers departing on international vacations outside Canada.

Explanation: The Act prohibits acting as a travel agent (a person who sells travel services provided by another person to consumers) or as a travel wholesaler unless registered. TICO states that retailers and wholesalers selling travel services in and from Ontario, including online, must be registered.

Question 3

Under Ontario travel legislation, how does a 'travel agent' differ from a 'travel wholesaler'?

• A. A retail agent is licensed provincially, whereas a wholesaler is exempt from provincial regulation.
• B. A retail agent operates its own charter aircraft, whereas a wholesaler manages international destination hotels for resale.
• C. A retail agent sells services directly to consumers, whereas a wholesaler sells services through retail agents.
• D. A retail agent sells only domestic bus tours, whereas a wholesaler sells international airline tickets.

Explanation: A travel agent (retailer) sells travel services directly to the public, while a travel wholesaler acquires travel services and packages them for sale through registered travel agents.

Question 4

What examination must an individual pass before legally selling travel services or providing travel advice to the public in Ontario?

• A. The Canadian Securities Course Examination.
• B. The Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Examination, administered through the federal licensing system.
• C. The Ontario Real Estate Licensing Examination.
• D. The TICO Certification Program exam, which leads to TICO Travel Counsellor certification.

Explanation: O. Reg. 26/05 s. 12 requires an individual who sells or offers to sell travel services for a registrant to hold the required travel counsellor certification from the administrative authority (TICO). Since 5 January 2026 that certification is earned through the TICO Certification Program and its exam; existing certifications remain valid.

Question 5

Under O. Reg. 26/05 s. 12, who may sell or offer to sell travel services for a registered travel agent that is not an individual?

• A. The registrant itself, or an individual it employs or has a written contract with who holds the required TICO certification.
• B. Any friend or relative of the owner who helps out part-time, as long as the agency's total annual sales stay below fifty thousand dollars.
• C. Any individual who has registered a sole proprietorship with the local municipality.
• D. Any person who has finished a supplier's product training course.

Explanation: Section 12(3): on and after July 1, 2009 the services must be sold or offered directly by the registrant, or by an individual employed by or under written contract with it who has the required travel counsellor certification (and supervisor/manager certification where applicable) or meets the s. 15(3) conditions.