Privacy Policy for Maple Hearth Explorers
Maple Hearth Explorers ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose the personal information you provide to us through our site, in connection with the travel services we offer, and in other interactions.
By using our site or engaging our services, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this policy. We adhere to applicable privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, and where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for individuals in the European Union.
Information We Collect
We collect various types of personal information to provide and improve our travel services. This may include:
- Contact Information: Name, address, email address, phone number.
- Travel Details: Passport information, visa details, date of birth, gender, nationality, emergency contact information, frequent flyer numbers, dietary restrictions, special needs or medical information relevant to travel.
- Financial Information: Credit card numbers, billing address, bank account details for booking and payment processing.
- Preferences: Travel preferences, seating preferences, hotel choices, activity interests, and other information that helps us customize your travel experience.
- Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and other technical information collected through cookies and similar technologies when you visit our online platform.
- Communication Data: Records of your communications with us, including emails, phone calls, and chats.
How We Collect Your Information
We collect information from you in several ways, including:
- Directly from You: When you book a trip, request information, subscribe to our newsletter, create an account on our online platform, or communicate with us via phone, email, or in person.
- From Travel Partners: From airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, tour operators, and other third-party travel providers when they share information necessary to fulfill your bookings.
- Through Our Website: Using cookies and similar tracking technologies to gather information about your browsing activities on our site.
- From Third-Party Sources: In some cases, we may receive information from third-party services that assist us with marketing or data analytics, in accordance with their privacy policies.
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
- To Provide Travel Services: Processing your bookings for customized vacation packages, corporate travel, adventure tours, cruises, flights, and hotels; arranging travel insurance; assisting with visa applications; and managing group travel.
- To Communicate with You: Sending booking confirmations, travel updates, itinerary changes, and responding to your inquiries and requests.
- To Personalize Your Experience: Tailoring travel recommendations and offers based on your preferences and previous bookings.
- For Payment Processing: Handling payments for services rendered and managing billing information.
- For Marketing and Promotional Purposes: Sending you newsletters, special offers, and information about our services that we believe may be of interest to you. You can opt-out of these communications at any time.
- For Internal Operations: Improving our services, performing data analysis, detecting and preventing fraud, and ensuring the security of our online platform.
- To Comply with Legal Obligations: Fulfilling our legal and regulatory requirements, including those related to travel documentation, safety, and security.
Sharing Your Information
We may share your personal information with the following categories of recipients:
- Travel Providers: Airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, tour operators, and other third-party service providers necessary to fulfill your travel bookings.
- Service Providers: Third-party vendors who provide services on our behalf, such as payment processing, IT support, marketing, data analysis, and customer service. These providers are obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.
- Legal and Regulatory Authorities: When required by law or in response to valid legal processes (e.g., court orders, subpoenas), or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
When we share your information with third parties, we take steps to ensure that they provide appropriate safeguards for your personal data, consistent with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
International Data Transfers
As a travel agency, your personal information may be transferred to and stored in countries outside of your country of residence, including to countries where your chosen travel destinations or service providers are located. These countries may have different data protection laws than those in Canada. We take steps to ensure that such international transfers are made in accordance with applicable data protection laws and that your information remains protected.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption, firewalls, and secure access controls. Despite our efforts, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.
Your Rights
Depending on your place of residence and applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): In certain circumstances, you have the right to request the deletion of your personal information.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information in certain situations.
- Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
- Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes or on grounds relating to your particular situation.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our online platform uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and personalize content. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences, understand how you interact with our site, and deliver relevant advertisements.
You can control and manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our site.
Third-Party Links
Our site may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete that information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any revised policy on our online platform, and the "last updated" date will be indicated. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Maple Hearth Explorers
2847 Yonge Street, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 2J4
Canada
Phone: (416) 555-0199