TICO charges two for operating as travel agent without registration

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has laid charges against two for operating as travel agents without being registered. 

2867668 Ontario Inc., operating as Araka Management, has been charged with one count, according to a press release. TICO has also charged Priyanthan Gopalapillai with one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered and one count of being an Officer and Director of a corporation and failing to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence.

It is alleged that 2867668 Ontario Inc., operating as Araka Management, and Priyanthan Gopalapillai sold travel without TICO registration, specializing in short-term accommodation and cottage rentals in Ontario.

Priyanthan Gopalapillai will appear in court on February 28, 2025 in Newmarket, Ontario.

TICO has also charged 1856419 Ontario Inc., operating as Parvaz Travel, with the same offence (operating without TICO registration). 

The association has also charged Hamid Reza Siami with one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered and one count of being an Officer and Director of a corporation and failing to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence.

Parvaz Travel was previously a TICO-registered travel agency, however their registration was revoked in October 2020. It is alleged they continued to sell travel services after their registration was revoked.

Reza Siami will appear in court on January 31, 2025, in Newmarket, Ontario.

Individuals convicted in Court of offences relating to the Travel Industry Act, 2002 are subject to fines of up to $50,000 and/or prison terms of up to two years. Corporations are subject to fines of up to $250,000.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.