Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Philippines Tourism ("we," "our," or "us"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, travel planning services, and tourism information platform. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our tourism services. These Terms apply to all users, including visitors, registered users, and travel partners.

2. Description of Services

Philippines Tourism provides travel planning and tourism information services, including but not limited to:

• Destination information and travel guides
• Personalized itinerary planning and recommendations
• Travel tips and destination insights
• Accommodation and transportation information
• Cultural and activity recommendations
• Travel documentation and visa guidance
• Emergency contact and safety information
• Local tourism partner connections

Our services are designed to help travelers discover and plan authentic Philippine experiences across our 7,107 islands.

3. User Eligibility and Travel Planning

3.1 Eligibility Requirements

To use our travel planning services, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old or have parental consent
• Have legal capacity to enter travel contracts
• Comply with all applicable Philippine tourism laws
• Possess valid travel documents for international visitors
• Not be prohibited from traveling to the Philippines
• Accept responsibility for your travel decisions and safety

3.2 Travel Planning Services

Our travel planning services include:

• Personalized destination recommendations
• Custom itinerary creation based on preferences
• Budget planning and cost estimates
• Accommodation and transportation suggestions
• Activity and experience recommendations
• Travel documentation guidance
• Emergency contact information

4. Travel Planning and Information Services

4.1 Service Scope

Our travel planning services provide guidance for:

• Destination selection and research
• Travel route planning and logistics
• Budget estimation and financial planning
• Accommodation booking assistance
• Transportation arrangements
• Activity and experience booking
• Cultural etiquette and local customs
• Safety and health considerations

4.2 Service Limitations

Our services are advisory and informational in nature. We do not:

• Guarantee specific travel experiences or outcomes
• Make actual bookings or reservations on your behalf
• Provide travel insurance or emergency assistance
• Accept responsibility for travel disruptions or changes
• Guarantee the accuracy of third-party information
• Provide legal advice for travel documentation
• Accept liability for personal safety or health issues

Travel planning involves various factors beyond our control. Success depends on current conditions, your decisions, and external circumstances.

5. Fees and Payment Terms

5.1 Service Fees

Our travel planning services may be provided on a fee basis including:

• Personalized itinerary planning consultations
• Custom travel guide creation
• Detailed budget breakdown services
• Priority destination research
• Emergency travel planning assistance
• Group travel coordination

5.2 Payment Terms

Payment terms include:

• All fees are quoted in Philippine Pesos (₱)
• Payment is due before service delivery unless otherwise agreed
• Accepted payment methods include bank transfer, GCash, PayMaya, and credit cards
• Late payments may incur additional charges
• Refunds are subject to our refund policy
• Travel planning deposits are non-refundable

5.3 Refund Policy

Refunds may be available within 7 days of service delivery if the travel planning service does not meet the agreed specifications. Refund requests must be submitted in writing with detailed reasons. Refunds are processed within 14 business days of approval. No refunds for completed travel or emergency services.

6. User Obligations and Travel Responsibilities

You agree to use our tourism services responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws. You must not:

• Engage in illegal activities while traveling in the Philippines
• Violate local laws, customs, or cultural norms
• Endanger yourself or others during travel activities
• Misrepresent your travel intentions or requirements
• Use our services for commercial purposes without permission
• Share confidential travel information obtained through our services
• Harass or discriminate against local communities or service providers

You are responsible for your own safety, health, and compliance with all travel regulations during your Philippine visit.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Our Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of our tourism services, including but not limited to:

• Destination guides and travel information
• Photography and visual content of Philippine destinations
• Itinerary templates and travel planning tools
• Educational content about Philippine culture and history
• Software, algorithms, and proprietary travel systems
• Trademarks, service marks, and tourism branding elements

Are owned by Philippines Tourism and protected by Philippine and international intellectual property laws.

7.2 User Content

By submitting travel reviews, photos, or feedback to our services, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, modify, and distribute your content for tourism promotion purposes. You retain ownership of your original content and are responsible for ensuring you have the right to share it.

7.3 License Restrictions

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from our tourism content without explicit written permission.

8. Travel Regulations and Legal Compliance

As a tourism information platform, we assist travelers with legitimate tourism activities. You are responsible for:

• Obtaining proper visas and travel documents
• Complying with Philippine immigration and customs regulations
• Following local laws and respecting cultural norms
• Maintaining proper travel insurance coverage
• Respecting environmental conservation guidelines
• Following safety guidelines for activities and destinations
• Paying required tourism fees and entrance charges

We provide guidance on these requirements but are not responsible for your compliance or any legal consequences of non-compliance with Philippine tourism regulations.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

9.1 Service Disclaimers

Our tourism services are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including:

• Merchantability or fitness for a particular travel purpose
• Accuracy, completeness, or reliability of tourism information
• Guaranteed travel experiences or destination availability
• Uninterrupted or error-free travel planning services
• Compatibility with all travel devices or systems
• Safety or security of destinations and activities

9.2 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Philippines Tourism shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, or consequential travel damages
• Loss of travel plans, reservations, or opportunities
• Personal injury, illness, or medical expenses during travel
• Travel disruptions due to weather, natural disasters, or political events
• Theft, loss, or damage to personal belongings
• Acts of terrorism, war, or other force majeure events
• Third-party travel service provider issues or disputes

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the specific travel planning service in question.

10. Travel Risks and Safety

Travel to the Philippines involves inherent risks. You acknowledge and accept that:

• Travel involves risks of personal injury, illness, or property damage
• Natural disasters, weather events, and geological activity can occur
• Political unrest, civil disturbances, or security concerns may arise
• Transportation accidents and travel disruptions can happen
• Health risks including tropical diseases and medical emergencies exist
• Cultural differences and language barriers may create challenges
• You are responsible for your own safety and decision-making

We recommend obtaining comprehensive travel insurance and staying informed about current travel advisories from your government and the Philippine Department of Tourism.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Philippines Tourism, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your use of our tourism services, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights. This includes reasonable legal fees incurred in defending such claims related to your travel activities.

12. Termination and Suspension

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to our tourism services at any time for:

• Violation of these Terms and Conditions
• Engagement in fraudulent or illegal travel activities
• Non-payment of travel planning fees or outstanding balances
• Disruptive or abusive behavior toward staff or partners
• Extended periods of inactivity in travel planning
• Violation of Philippine tourism regulations

Upon termination, your right to use our tourism services ceases immediately. We may retain your travel data as required by law or for legitimate tourism purposes.

13. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiations between the parties
2. Mediation through the Philippine Department of Tourism
3. Arbitration under the rules of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center
4. Court proceedings in the appropriate Philippine jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by Philippine law. Any legal action must be brought within one year of the dispute arising.

14. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our tourism services due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters (typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions), pandemics, government travel restrictions, international conflicts, or other acts of God that affect Philippine tourism.

15. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. We will notify users of material changes via email or website announcements. Your continued use of our tourism services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

16. Severability and Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Philippines Tourism regarding the use of our tourism services.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

For tourism complaints or concerns, you may also contact the Department of Tourism (DOT) at tourism.gov.ph or call their hotline at +63 2 459 5200.