TORONTO - With March break just days away, the McGuinty government advises travellers to protect themselves and their money while on vacation. Consumer and Business Services Minister Jim Watson today announced the 10 top tips to help make a vacation safe and hassle-free.

"Ontarians spend more than $8 billion each year on travel services, so it is important to help them protect their travel dollar," said Watson. "If you are one of the thousands of people thinking about a last-minute getaway in March, be confident in your travel purchase and ensure that you always buy through a registered Ontario travel agency."

In Ontario, all travel retailers and travel wholesalers are required to be registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) under the Travel Industry Act.

The consumer minister recommends the following tips.

Top 10 Tips:

1. Shop Smart: Purchase your travel services through an Ontario registered travel agency. When you purchase your travel services through an Ontario registered travel agency, you are protected by an industry financed Travel Compensation Fund and the consumer protection provisions found under the Travel Industry Act. For more information on the Travel Compensation Fund go to www.tico.on.ca
2. Be Prepared: Always verify the travel and identity documents you will need for your destination with a travel professional. Take only necessary financial and identity documents.
3. Protect Your Identity: Make two photocopies of all travel and identity documents. This will facilitate replacement if they should be lost or stolen. Take one set of copies with you and leave one in a secure location at home. Safely destroy the copies when you return home.
4. Get it in Writing: Obtain printed copies of all reservation confirmations including lodging and transportation. Make certain they include all the details you anticipate, itemized on the confirmations.
5. Take Precautions: Always consider purchasing both travel cancellation and out-of-province health insurance. Ask your registered travel agent for details.
6. Avoid Rip-Offs: If travelling by car, have your car tuned up before you go and make sure you get a written estimate for any repairs before you authorize the work to be done.
7. Read the Fine Print: Check the details of car rental agreements before you sign a contract.
8. Timeshare Beware: Look out for timeshare offers-if the deal is "good today only" walk away.
9. Emergency Know-How: Find and keep on hand the telephone numbers for police, medical attention and embassies or consulates in your travel location.
10. Vacationing at Home: Check out Ontario Tourism for great ideas on stay-at-home vacations.

Watson also reminds consumers they can learn more about making smart travel purchasing decisions from the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. The Council helps consumers resolve problems with registered travel agencies and wholesalers on behalf of the government.

"If in doubt as to whether the travel agency you are dealing with is registered in Ontario, contact TICO or visit the Web site," reminds Watson.

"TICO handles consumer complaints about registered Ontario travel retailers or travel wholesalers, with the goal of finding a resolution that satisfies all parties," said Michael Pepper, Registrar of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. "We handled more than 1,200 telephone and walk-in inquiries and 206 written complaints from consumers last year."

For more information on travel do's and don'ts, call the ministry at 416-326-8800 in Toronto, or toll free at 1-800-889-9768. For information on the Travel Industry Council of Ontario call 1-888-451-TICO or visit their Web site.

Contacts:
Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services
(416) 326-8558