TICO: What Retreat hosts Need to Know
If you’re dreaming of hosting your own retreat, whether it’s a yoga, wellness, adventure, or creative retreat, you’re probably imagining the travel to an exotic location, the transformation your guests will experience, and the joy of bringing your community together.
What you’re probably not thinking about? TRAVEL REGULATIONS.
But if you’re based in Ontario, understanding TICO rules is a crucial (and required!) part of hosting a retreat legally and safely. The good news?
We’ll guide you and take care of the tasks required for compliance, so you can get back to the fun part, planning an unforgettable experience for your guests.
What is TICO, and Why Does it Matter?
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. They regulate how travel services are sold in Ontario with the main purpose of protecting consumers.
For retreat leaders, this matters because retreats fall under TICO’s Special Interest Travel which includes but is not limited to:
Yoga or fitness retreats
Wellness retreats
Art, photography, writing or cultural retreats
Golf or tennis retreats
Walking, hiking or cycling retreats
Do TICO Rules Apply to Your Retreat?
If you live in Ontario and are hosting a retreat, TICO rules apply if your retreat includes Travel Services such as accommodations, flights, tours, or airport transfers and you are:
Advertising and personally accepting registrations for your retreat
Arranging Travel Services for your group
Answering questions about Travel Services
Collecting payments from guests
Paying Travel Suppliers such as retreat centres, hotels or transportation companies
In other words, if you’re acting as a travel organizer and not just an instructor or facilitator, you must comply with TICO regulations.
Why Most Retreat Leaders Don’t Register With TICO Directly
It’s expensive, time consuming and a huge undertaking, which doesn’t make sense if you’re only running one or two retreats a year.
Instead, Ontario retreat hosts can partner with a TICO-registered travel agent. The agent will handle the Travel Services component of your retreat, so you comply and ensure your guests are protected.
What Working With a TICO-Registered Travel Agent Looks Like
Once partnered with a registered travel agent, a few simple rules must be followed to comply with TICO:
You must direct inquiries related to Travel Services to the agent, but you may advise on the retreat itinerary or other non-travel related topics
Guest payments must be processed by the agent and held in trust
Guests will receive a TICO-compliant invoice from the agent within 48 hours of payment
Travel Supplier payments (hotels, transportation, etc.) will be paid by the agent
All retreat advertising must comply with TICO’s Advertising Guidelines
The agent will offer travel insurance to your guests as required by TICO
You may accept payments from guests ONLY for non-travel related services you provide such as instruction or expertise.
Why Compliance Matters
Rules aren’t fun, but they’re important. Ignoring TICO regulations can lead to:
Fines
Other financial consequences for you or your guests
Being ordered to shut down your retreat
Increased possibility of disputes arising between you and your guests
Potential business consequences if non-compliance continues
The goal isn’t to make retreat planning harder, it’s to protect you and your guests.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Movement Travel guides retreat leaders through the entire process, making it smooth and stress-free while ensuring you are compliant with TICO regulations.
You can learn more about our Retreat Booking Services here. Contact us if you’re interested in working with us. We’d love to support you.