06 FEB 2019: The Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s (TICO) new Consumer Awareness campaign is in full swing. TICO says the campaign, which was launched in December, incorporates a fresh new approach that is entirely digital-based.

“TICO chose to focus on the digital space for this campaign because the internet is a high-traffic area for researching travel destinations and finding information,” says Richard Smart, president and CEO for TICO. “More and more consumers are researching trips and vacations online.”

TICO’s campaign features videos that are now showing on YouTube, social media posts and banner ads on various websites targeting specific demographics, based on their travel behaviours.

In addition, video ads are running in the Toronto PATH system and at Dundas Square.

The star of the campaign is the Asterisk, which flags the message that TICO-registered travel agencies and websites can provide the necessary details needed for travelling. The intent is to make sure that all travellers understand that they must book with a TICO-registered travel agency or website in order to benefit from Ontario’s strict consumer protection laws should something affect their travel plans.

TICO-registered travel agencies and websites are asked to make sure that the TICO logo or registration number is prominently displayed on their website, social media accounts and marketing materials.

Consumers will be looking for this information to make sure that they are booking with a TICO-registered travel agency or website, so they can benefit from consumer protection.