{May 5, 2010} VICTORIA, BC - Consumer Protection BC announces that it provided payments of $180,179 in 2009 from British Columbia’s Travel Assurance Fund.

“We are pleased to have helped 182 travel consumers last year,” said Manjit Bains, Vice President of Corporate Relations with Consumer Protection BC.

Three travel businesses licensed in BC ceased operations in 2009: Conquest Vacations, Exclusively Canada and Adventurelink Tours Ltd.  These closures, as well as the failures in the previous year of Oasis and Zoom Airlines, resulted in claims to the Travel Assurance Fund.

All travel agents and wholesalers conducting business in BC are required to be licensed by Consumer Protection BC, must meet a minimum set of financial standards and provide annual contributions to the Travel Assurance Fund as part of the licensing process.  The fund protects both consumers and licensed travel agents in their transactions.

“We encourage consumers to book through a licensed BC travel agent to receive the added protection of the fund,” explained Bains.  “To confirm that a business is licensed, look for the Consumer Protection logo on their website and in their office location or simply visit www.travelrightsbc.ca.”

BC licensed travel agents and wholesalers may also be eligible to claim to the fund.  There’s a lot to know about the Travel Assurance Fund and eligibility for both consumers and travel businesses.  For questions about the fund, please contact our Inquiry Centre toll free at 1-888-564-9963 or visit www.travelrightsbc.ca. You can also search for a licensed BC travel agent or wholesaler through the website.

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit corporation that was created to strengthen consumer protection in BC and enforce consumer protection laws. We balance the interests of all parties to promote a marketplace that is fair for both BC consumers and businesses. We license and inspect specific industries, respond to inquiries through our Inquiry Centre, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law.  For more information about our organization, please visit our corporate website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.

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Media Only:
Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith, Manager of Public Relations
Consumer Protection BC
P 604.296.2856 M 250.686-1077 TF 1.888.564.9963
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