TICO posts new charges & convictions

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has recently announced several new charges and convictions related to violations of the Travel Industry Act.

After being charged by TICO, Gurpreet Kaur pleaded guilty to one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered, according to a July 14 press release. Kaur was fined $6,250, inclusive of a victim surcharge.

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.

In a separate case, Travelgirl Inc., after being charged by TICO, has been convicted of one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered.

Tarcia Brown was also convicted of 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.

Brown was fined $15,625, inclusive of a victim surcharge. Both Brown and Travelgirl Inc. were sentenced to a two-year probation, TICO says.

In April 2020, Brown signed an undertaking with TICO in which she agreed to conditions that she would not: hold herself out as a travel agent, provide counselling services about travel services or carry on activities related to selling travel services provided by another person.

In October 2024, Brown pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to fraud when selling travel, with ongoing sentencing proceedings. This is a separate matter from TICO’s conviction.

In a third case, TICO has charged The International Incorporated, operating as TRYPS, Kareem Aly and Carl Karamaoun, with one count each of operating as a travel agent without being registered.

Aly and Karamaoun were also charged with one count each 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 The International Incorporated, operating as TRYPS, Kareem Aly and Carl Karamaoun sold international leisure vacations.

Aly and Karamaoun are scheduled to appear in court on August 28, 2025 at 1:30 p.m., in Ottawa, ON.

TICO says it prosecutes unregistered companies and individuals to “maintain a level playing field and the integrity of Ontario’s travel marketplace” to ensure consumers are confident purchasing travel from registered professionals.

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