(March 31, 2011) Consumer Protection BC announces that it has provided payments of over $800,000 from British Columbia’s Travel Assurance Fund since 2004.  Since that time, over 1200 consumers have been assisted by the fund.

In 2010, the fund provided almost $20,000 to approximately twenty-two consumers.  “There are many benefits to booking through a licensed BC travel agent,” says Manjit Bains, Vice President of Corporate Relations.  “Those include getting the added protection of the Travel Assurance Fund.”

All travel agents and wholesalers located in BC are required to be licensed by Consumer Protection BC.  They 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. 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.

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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