When you book with an accredited travel professional, the service you receive comes with some guarantees. The credentials provided by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada (DFATD), and the Travel Leaders Network (TLN) ensure that you receive a high level of service when you book with an agent who has completed their programs. That means you can feel confident in your travel purchase, because a highly-trained, reliable, and accountable professional is working for you.
Julie Dupuis, Journiac Travel & Tours has participated in several accreditation programs. Essentially, you can rest assured that the agency is bound to accurate and transparent disclosure of information before booking, so there are no surprises along the way. You are sure to be provided with the resources and information you need to travel safely during COVID-19. You know you will be treated respectfully, and you can count on an experienced and trained travel professional to assist you should something not go as planned.
More specifically, this page describes what these travel professional credentials mean and how they benefit you as a client. You may also wish to learn more about the agency’s full range of services.
Seller of Travel License — Travel Industry Council of Ontario
It is mandatory that all travel agents in Ontario obtain a license to sell travel products from TICO by completing the Education Standards Travel Counsellor Exam. Consequently, when you purchase your travel products from a TICO-licensed travel professional, TICO automatically protects your travel investment by:
- Regulating the Ontario travel industry;
- Inspecting and monitoring registered agencies;
- Refunding services not received due to closure or bankruptcy;
- Assisting with complaints.
General Disclosures
Additionally, TICO-licensed travel professionals are required to disclose the following information before completing any booking:
- The total price of the travel services, including taxes and fees;
- An accurate description of the travel services, including dates;
- Conditions that may affect the decision to purchase and/or travel;
- Service fees;
- Change and cancellation fees;
- Non-refundable payments;
- Availability of trip cancellation and out-of-province health insurance;
- Required travel documents for each traveller;
- Entry to another country may be refused even if all documents are complete, especially if there is a COVID-19 related reason;
- Living standards and conditions abroad may differ from those in Canada;
- Provide terms and conditions for the travel services being purchased;
- Answer any questions arising from information in a representation.
What’s more, TICO requires accredited travel professionals to advise customers of any changes to the travel services, which were referred to in written material such as brochures or advertisements and if known at the time of booking, that might have affected their decision to purchase. This includes applicable COVID-19 information as well, as outlined below.
COVID-19 Disclosures
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the following information must also be disclosed prior to making reservations:
- Government-required COVID-19 testing, including quarantine requirements;
- Vaccine passport requirements, including limitations existing based on brand of vaccine or vaccine mixing;
- Differences related to being partially vaccinated versus fully vaccinated and how this will impact the trip;
- Separate protocols specific to individual tour operators or suppliers (e.g.: cruise lines, coach tours);
- Considerations for multi-destination trips where each country may have different entry requirements and vaccine / quarantine protocols;
- New re-entry requirements when returning to Canada (if applicable);
- Whether travel insurance being offered covers COVID-19 related risks;
- Failure to comply with local laws could impact the trip, including but not limited to the termination of travel services at the cost of the consumer;
- The information and disclosures provided are not exhaustive, and are provided as guidance to make an informed decision.
Certified Travel Counsellor — Association of Canadian Travel Agencies
To obtain ACTA’s Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) designation, a travel professional must:
- Write a knowledge exam;
- Gain 1,800 hours of combined work experience and continued education;
- Undergo a performance evaluation;
- Sign a strict Code of Ethics as well as a Code of Best Practices.
Moreover, all ACTA members must comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations.
So, in addition to having plenty of relevant work experience and up-to-date industry knowledge, an ACTA-Certified Travel Counsellor makes the following promises.
ACTA Code of Ethics
- Respect – treat all people with equality and dignity;
- Integrity – speak and behave professionally and with courtesy;
- Transparency – provide clear quotes or proposals;
- Compliance – abide by all laws and fulfill all legal or contractual obligations;
- Confidentiality – never disclose client information without express permission.
ACTA Code of Best Practices
- Ensure accuracy of information in quotes and on travel documents;
- Ensure timely delivery of travel documents.
- Provide general information regarding documentation required for each trip;
- Refer to Canadian government resources about health abroad and risks of travel;
- Recommend extensive travel insurance coverage;
- Advise what supplier and/or agency change and/or cancellation fees may apply;
- Make supplier terms and conditions available before booking;
- Disclose agency service fees in advance.
- Respond promptly to consumer complaints;
- Use best endeavors to resolve complaints effectively and efficiently.
- Communicate information as soon as possible between clients and suppliers.
- Commit to continuing education and training.
Safe Travel Planner — Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada
A Safe Travel Planner has all the resources and information needed to plan safe and enjoyable trips for clients. This includes:
- Recognizing the consular services available to Canadians;
- Providing the location where travellers can obtain consular assistance, if necessary;
- Using the government’s travel website to provide sound travel advice and information for each chosen destination:
- Risk levels associated with travel;
- Security and safety conditions;
- Entry requirements;
- Health issues;
- Laws and culture;
- Money and currency;
- Social and political situations;
- Natural disasters and climate.
- Understanding how the Passport Program facilitates travel for Canadians;
- Informing clients about documentation required for their travels;
- Advising where clients can access useful information before, during, and after a trip.
These services are provided after a trip has been booked.
Book With Confidence Advisor — Travel Leaders Network
In the wake of COVID-19, travel requirements have become increasingly more complicated, with the added challenge of changing frequently and varying drastically by destination. All the information can be overwhelming, and it can be frustrating to stay on top of current news and updates.
A Book With Confidence Advisor provides clients with two major benefits.
Vacation Health & Safety Guide
First, the most important COVID-19 safe and healthy travel information from reliable sources like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Health Canada has been curated and gathered into a Vacation Health and Safety Guide. With over 50 pages of tips and resources about every step of a trip and how to minimize the risks of travel, the guide includes practical advice such as:
- Health supplies to bring with you
- Ranking the most effective mask types
- Finding nearby COVID-19 tests
- The best place to sit on an airplane
- Lowering risk at the beach and pool
- Entertainment venues to avoid
A Book With Confidence Advisor commits to being familiar with the contents of the Vacation Health and Safety Guide, including the resources it provides. Since the pandemic situation changes often, this guide is updated often by Travel Leaders Network. It is provided to clients once a trip has been booked, but clients can request an updated version at any time.
Vacation Health & Safety Checklist
Second, the Vacation Health and Safety Checklist is a tool used to help document all the health and safety protocols being undertaken to help protect you and your travelling party. It details such items as:
- Entry requirements at your destination (e.g. PCR COVID-19 tests, proof of insurance, vaccination passport, contract tracing app, etc.)
- What travel insurance generally covers and doesn’t cover
- Where masks are required for guests and employees
- Whether high-touch surfaces are being frequently disinfected
- Availability of services via a no-contact phone app
- What to do when you return home
This checklist is reviewed for each individual client. Your Book With Confidence Advisor utilizes the supplier health and safety protocols and initiatives published on their website(s) to complete the Vacation Health and Safety Checklist. It can include as many as 198 different actions to protect your health and safety while you travel. It is provided to you for your review once your trip has been booked.