Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 6, 2025

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At GoWhere Travel and Tours ("we," "us," "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your information when you use our website and travel services.

By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When booking travel services:

• Full name, date of birth, gender
• Contact information (address, phone, email)
• Passport and identification details
• Emergency contact information
• Payment and billing information
• Dietary restrictions and special needs
• Health information relevant to travel
• Travel preferences and interests

When using our website:

• Account registration information
• Contact form submissions
• Newsletter subscriptions
• Customer service communications
• Travel reviews and testimonials

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Website usage data:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring websites
• Search terms used

Cookies and tracking technologies:

• Session cookies for website functionality
• Analytics cookies to improve our services
• Marketing cookies (with your consent)
• Social media integration cookies

1.3 Information from Third Parties

Travel suppliers:

• Booking confirmations and updates
• Service delivery information
• Accommodation and activity details

Partners and affiliates:

• Referral information
• Joint marketing data (with consent)

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Primary Travel Services

• Process bookings and manage reservations
• Communicate about your trip details and updates
• Coordinate with suppliers (hotels, guides, transport)
• Provide customer support before, during, and after travel
• Handle emergencies and provide assistance while traveling
• Process payments and manage billing
• Send confirmation documents and travel information

2.2 Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our website and services
• Personalize recommendations based on your preferences
• Develop new services and travel offerings
• Conduct customer satisfaction surveys and feedback collection

2.3 Legal and Safety Requirements

• Comply with legal obligations and government requirements
• Verify identity and prevent fraud
• Ensure traveler safety and security
• Respond to legal requests and law enforcement
• Protect our rights and property

2.4 Marketing Communications (With Consent)

• Send travel newsletters and destination updates
• Promote special offers and new trip announcements
• Share travel tips and inspiration
• Invite participation in surveys and reviews

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 Travel Service Providers

We share necessary information with:

• Hotels and accommodations for reservations
• Airlines and transportation companies for bookings
• Local guides and tour operators for activity coordination
• Travel insurance providers when requested
• Government authorities for visa and border requirements

3.2 Payment Processing

• Credit card processors for secure payment handling
• Banking institutions for transaction processing
• Payment security services for fraud prevention

3.3 Emergency Services

• Medical facilities in case of health emergencies
• Embassy or consular services when required
• Emergency evacuation services if needed
• Local authorities for safety and security purposes

3.4 Legal Requirements

• Government agencies when required by law
• Law enforcement for investigations
• Courts and legal counsel for legal proceedings
• Regulatory bodies for compliance purposes

3.5 Business Operations

• Technology service providers for website and system maintenance
• Analytics services for website improvement (anonymized data)
• Customer service platforms for support ticket management
• Email service providers for communications

We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4. Data Security and Protection

4.1 Security Measures

Technical safeguards:

• SSL encryption for all data transmission
• Secure servers with restricted access
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Firewall protection against unauthorized access
• Backup systems for data recovery

Administrative safeguards:

• Staff training on privacy and security
• Access controls limiting who can view your data
• Regular audits of our security practices
• Incident response procedures for data breaches

4.2 Payment Security

• PCI DSS compliance for credit card processing
• Tokenization of payment information
• No storage of full credit card numbers
• Secure payment gateways for all transactions

4.3 Data Retention

We retain your information:

• Active bookings: Until trip completion + 3 years
• Completed trips: 7 years for business records
• Marketing data: Until you unsubscribe
• Website analytics: 26 months maximum
• Legal requirements: As required by applicable law

5. Your Privacy Rights

5.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information we hold
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Update your preferences and contact information
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Restrict processing for specific purposes
• Data portability - receive your data in a readable format

5.2 Marketing Communications

You can:

• Opt-out of marketing emails via unsubscribe links
• Update preferences for communication types
• Contact us to remove your information from marketing lists
• Choose which types of updates you receive

5.3 Cookies and Tracking

You can control:

• Browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Cookie preferences through our website settings
• Analytics tracking through opt-out mechanisms
• Social media integration through privacy settings

6. International Data Transfers

6.1 Cross-Border Travel

Travel inherently involves international data transfers. When you book international travel, your information may be shared with:

• Suppliers in destination countries
• Government authorities for visa and immigration
• International payment processors
• Global distribution systems for bookings

6.2 Data Protection Standards

We ensure adequate protection through:

• Contractual safeguards with international suppliers
• Privacy shield frameworks where applicable
• Standard contractual clauses for EU data transfers
• Due diligence on third-party privacy practices

7. Special Considerations

7.1 Sensitive Information

Health and medical data:

• Collected only when necessary for trip safety
• Shared only with relevant healthcare providers
• Protected with enhanced security measures
• Retained only as long as necessary

Passport and ID information:

• Used only for travel booking and identification
• Shared only with authorized parties (airlines, hotels, governments)
• Secured with encryption and access controls

7.2 Children's Privacy

• We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13
• Parent/guardian consent required for minors under 18
• Special protections for family travel bookings
• Limited data collection for children's activities

7.3 Emergency Information

During travel emergencies:

• We may share information more broadly to ensure your safety
• Emergency contacts will be notified as appropriate
• Medical information may be shared with healthcare providers
• Location data may be shared with rescue services

8. Cookies and Website Technology

8.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential cookies:

• Website functionality and security
• Shopping cart and booking process
• User authentication and preferences

Analytics cookies:

• Website performance measurement
• User behavior analysis (anonymized)
• Error tracking and troubleshooting

Marketing cookies (with consent):

• Personalized content and offers
• Social media integration
• Advertising effectiveness measurement

8.2 Managing Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through:

• Browser settings - disable all or specific types
• Website preferences - customize your choices
• Third-party opt-outs - analytics and advertising networks
• Mobile device settings - app-based tracking

9. Third-Party Links and Services

9.1 External Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before providing information.

9.2 Social Media Integration

Social media features:

• May collect your IP address and page information
• Subject to the social media platform's privacy policy
• May use cookies to enable proper functionality

9.3 Travel Supplier Policies

Each hotel, airline, and activity provider has their own privacy policies that apply to their services.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

10.1 Updates and Modifications

• We may update this policy periodically
• Material changes will be prominently posted
• Notification via email for significant updates
• Continued use implies acceptance of changes

10.2 Version Control

• Current version always available on our website
• Previous versions archived for reference
• Date of last update clearly displayed

11. Contact Information

11.1 Privacy Questions and Requests

For privacy-related inquiries:

Privacy Officer
GoWhere Travel and Tours
Address: Mabalacat Pampanga
Email: operation@gowheretravel.ph
Phone: 09694608851

11.2 Data Subject Requests

To exercise your privacy rights:

• Email: operation@gowheretravel.ph
• Subject Line: "Privacy Request - [Your Name]"
• Include: Your name, email, and specific request
• Response Time: We will respond within 30 days

11.3 Data Protection Authority

EU residents may also contact:
Your local Data Protection Authority for privacy concerns.

US residents may contact:
Your state attorney general's office for privacy complaints.

12. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

We process your data based on:

• Contract performance - fulfilling our travel services
• Legitimate interests - improving services and preventing fraud
• Legal obligations - compliance with travel and tax laws
• Consent - marketing communications and optional features
• Vital interests - emergency situations and traveler safety

Important Notes

Data Minimization

We collect only the information necessary to provide our travel services and comply with legal requirements.

Accuracy

Please ensure all information provided is accurate and up-to-date. Inaccurate information may affect your travel experience.

Consent Withdrawal

You may withdraw consent for optional data processing at any time, though this may limit our ability to provide certain services.

Travel-Specific Requirements

Some destinations require specific information sharing with local authorities. This is necessary for legal compliance and your safety.

This Privacy Policy is designed to provide transparency about our data practices while ensuring we can deliver exceptional travel experiences safely and legally.

Questions about this policy? Contact our Privacy Officer at operation@gowheretravel.ph

Thank you for trusting GoWhere Travel and Tours with your travel adventures and personal information.