Fact or Fiction: If I pass my TICO certification exam, I have earned my Certified Travel Counsellor designation?

Fiction:Travel agents that take great pride in their careers in Canada will work hard towards earning their Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation which are the ONLY professional designations rewarded in the industry.  The process to earn the CTC or CTM designation involves industry experience, a written exam that is administered by ACTA in conjunction with e-merit and a performance appraisal (two case studies are also required in the earning of the CTM designation).  The CTC or CTM designations are recognized nationwide as a significant achievement in your professional career.

Writing and passing the TICO exam is completely different from earning the CTC designation.  Every person who is working for a registered Ontario retail travel agency and is selling travel services or providing travel advice to the public must, by law, meet the TICO's Education Standards, which came into effect on July 1, 2009.  This includes Supervisors and Managers on a registrant's registration record with TICO. Passing the TICO exam allows you to sell travel on behalf of a registered Ontario travel agency however it does not mean that the individual meets industry standards in order to successfully work in the travel industry.  The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO)  administers its Education Standards Program.

For detailed information on earning your professional CTC Designation in Canada click on this link:  http://www.acta.ca/ctc-ctm-certification