Canada is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Large cities like Toronto, Quebec and even the capital Ottawa are among the most attractive touristic locations which have led to the development of tourism in Canada.
Foreign investors thinking about starting a business in Canada can choose tourism and set up travel agencies here. One should know that the company registration process is not complicated, however there are provinces which have special requirements for those offering tour operator services. These provinces are British Colombia, Quebec and Ontario.
Our Canadian company formation agents can assist with the registration of the travel agency.
The company which will be used to offer tour operator services can be registered at federal level or at provincial level in Canada. The types of structures which can be used are the sole proprietorship and the limited liability company, however the latter is usually employed.
Following the registration of the company which can be supervised by our Canadian consultants, the travel agent license must be obtained.
In order to obtain a travel or tour operator license, one must obtain a certification from the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA). There are two types of licenses which can be obtained by passing the ACTA certification test:
A training course must be completed before being accredited as a CTM or CTC.
As mentioned earlier, the regions of Ontario, Quebec and British Colombia have more specific regulations for travel agencies, therefore any Canadian company operating as a tour operator here will be required to comply with the local regulations.
The procedures for obtaining a travel license in one of these provinces require specific trainings, certification examinations and fees.
In Quebec, the travel agency must also have a share capital of at least 50,000 CAD. In Ontario, a 10,000 CAD security deposit must be made upon the opening of the travel agency.
For full information or assistance in setting up a travel agency in Canada, please contact our local company formation advisors.
