This week: Some TICO renewal fees are rising; ACTA introduced its regional council members; redtag.ca unveils its new MICE division; moving up at Virtuoso; and Bermuda has launched travel advisor specialist program; and Brazil is upping the incentives for its agent specialists.
TICO
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has announced a targeted, inflationary adjustment to renewal fees for registrants with sales exceeding $10 million. For payments due on or after April 1, 2026, TICO will implement a 2.4% inflationary increase on renewal fees, which only applies to registrants with Ontario gross sales greater than $10 million. This adjustment affects about 10% of TICO’s registrant base.
There are no other fee changes being introduced, including for the Compensation Fund. For 90% of registrants, fee rates will be maintained at the levels set in April 2024.
“We recognize that businesses continue to face challenging economic conditions, and we have kept this adjustment as modest as practicable,” said TICO CEO Richard Smart. “TICO remains focused on protecting travel consumers, while being mindful of the financial realities faced by Ontario’s travel businesses.
ACTA
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors has confirmed the members of its six Regional Advisory Committees, representing regions across Canada, following a call for expressions of interest sent to members in November. ACTA says it saw strong interest from members across the country, with particularly high engagement from Quebec.
“ACTA is strongest when we work in close partnership with our members and are guided by their regional perspectives. This collaboration ensures our advocacy is informed, effective, and reflective of the needs of members across the country,” said ACTA president Suzanne Acton Gervais.
The Regional Advisory Committees serve as a consultative forum to advise ACTA on provincial, territorial and national issues of concern, and to support the direction, planning, and strategies that advance the association’s goals and objectives.
Committee appointments for 2026 will run for one year, with standard two-year terms commencing in 2027. A full list of ACTA’s Regional Advisory Committees can be found here: https://www.acta.ca/rac.php
Redtag.ca
redtag.ca has launched a dedicated meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions division. Backed by the global reach and infrastructure of H.I.S. Group, redtag.ca M.I.C.E., will bring together international access, negotiated buying power, and hands-on program management to support meetings and incentive programs of varying size, scope, and ambition. Programs are tailored to business objectives, budget parameters, and participant needs, whether hosted within Canada or abroad.
Meetings and incentive programs carry real expectations around budget, delivery, and experience,” said Nathalie Tanious, President & CEO of H.I.S. Canada Travel Inc., parent company of redtag.ca. “redtag.ca M.I.C.E. was created to act as a true partner, executing tailored meetings and incentive programs that save time, control costs, and deliver high-quality experiences that directly support business objectives.”
The division has a dedicated team to provide specialized expertise and end-to-end accountability across every stage of program delivery.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso has announced that industry veteran Michelle Rashid has been elevated to senior vice president, culture, talent & global operations. Rashid has served as the organization’s senior vice president, culture & human resources since 2022. The expansion of her role to now include global operations underscores the company’s continued focus on operational excellence grounded in human connection.
Bermuda
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has announced the launch of the Travel Pro Bermuda Specialist Program, an innovative travel advisor training and sales platform developed with TravPRO Mobile. The platform officially launched on Jan. 26, providing travel advisors worldwide with an easy, modern way to build expertise, share Bermuda content with clients instantly, and convert interest into bookings.
Designed as an all-in-one digital solution, the Bermuda Specialist Program platform offers several benefits:
• Integrates certification training with a continuously accessible sales tool.
• Provides advisors with essential resources in one centralized hub, including:
o Education
o Professional marketing materials
o Real-time sales support
Once advisors complete their training, users will gain access to the platform’s exclusive Sales Companion experience, which includes:
• Tools to mark key content as favourites
• Quick search capabilities across resources
• Updates through the “New & Now” feature
As an added incentive, advisors who complete the Bermuda Specialist Program by April 30 will be entered into a draw to win a spot on an exclusive Trade FAM trip to Bermuda in Fall/Winter 2026. To get started, go to bermudaspecialist.com
Brazil
Brazil’s tourist board, Embratur, has launched a global campaign to boost sales by international travel advisors. Launched at the recent Fitur trade show in Madrid, “Brasil Specialist Rewards” program will give Brazil specialists the opportunity to win monthly and quarterly prizes, cash awards, at the end of the campaign, take part in the Famtour Top Sellers, a one-of-a-kind experience in the country.
Since the program’s launch, more than 1,000 tourism professionals have earned designation as “Brazil specialists.”
“With Brasil Specialist Rewards, Embratur takes the relationship with the global trade one step further. We are talking about an unprecedented campaign that values those who truly make a big difference in choosing Brazil as a destination: travel agents. They are the ones who inspire dreams and turn desire into boarding,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of Visit Brasil.
To be eligible, simply become a Brazil specialist and register your qualified bookings – such as flights, accommodations of at least three nights, or Feel Brasil experiences – on the official platform. With each new sale registered, participants accumulate additional chances to win prizes. Registration is already open and runs through July 20, 2026. The initiative is aimed at professionals in 14 strategic markets including Canada.
Travel agents can get their certification on https://www.brasiltravelspecialist.com/ .
The platform features six training modules, including topics such as Ecotourism and Adventure, MICE, and Culture and Afro-Tourism, with content tailored to the interests of different source markets. Courses are available in four languages – Spanish, English, French and Mandarin – ensuring global reach and accessibility.
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