How We Collect, Use and Protect Your Information
1. Introduction
At Ilyas Skardu Travels and Tours, we respect the privacy of our customers, website visitors and travelers.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and share personal information when you visit our website, contact us, request a quotation, make a booking or use any of our tourism and travel services.
Our services may include tours, sightseeing, customized travel packages, rent-a-car services, transportation, airport transfers, travel guides, accommodation assistance and other tourism services across Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Throughout this Privacy Policy, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Ilyas Skardu Travels and Tours. “You” and “your” refer to website visitors, customers, travelers and individuals using our services.
By using our website or providing personal information to us, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
2. Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through our:
Website, booking forms, email communications, WhatsApp conversations, phone calls, social media channels, quotation requests, tour bookings, rent-a-car bookings, travel guide arrangements, accommodation assistance and other travel-related communications.
It also applies to information reasonably required to organize and complete services requested by you.
3. Information We May Collect
The information we collect depends on how you interact with us and which services you request.
3.1 Personal and Contact Information
We may collect information such as your:
Full name, email address, phone number, WhatsApp number, country or city of residence and other contact information you voluntarily provide.
3.2 Travel and Booking Information
When you request or confirm a tour, we may collect information relating to your journey, including travel dates, destinations, number of travelers, group size, preferred itinerary, hotel requirements, transportation needs, vehicle preference, pick-up and drop-off locations, guide requirements and special travel requests.
3.3 Identification and Travel Documents
Certain bookings, accommodation arrangements, permits or services may require identification information.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include passport details, CNIC information, nationality, visa-related information or other travel documentation required by hotels, authorities or service providers.
We only request such information where reasonably necessary for your travel arrangements.
3.4 Payment and Transaction Information
When you make a payment, we may receive or maintain information relating to the transaction, such as payment amount, payment status, transaction reference and payment date.
Where payments are processed through banks, payment gateways or other financial service providers, sensitive payment information may be handled directly by those providers according to their own privacy and security policies.
3.5 Communications With Us
We may retain relevant information from communications made through WhatsApp, email, website forms, telephone or social media when necessary to process enquiries, confirm bookings, provide customer support or maintain booking records.
3.6 Technical and Website Usage Information
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically.
This may include your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages visited, referring page, date and time of visit, approximate location and general website interaction data.
4. How We Collect Information
We may collect personal information directly from you when you contact us, submit a booking form, request a tour quotation, communicate through WhatsApp or email, call us, make a payment or provide information necessary to arrange your trip.
Some information may also be collected automatically through website cookies, analytics services, server logs or similar technologies.
In certain cases, information may be received from another member of your travel group who is making a booking on your behalf.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information only for legitimate business, travel and service-related purposes.
Your information may be used to respond to enquiries, prepare quotations, process bookings, create customized itineraries, arrange transportation, provide rent-a-car services, organize guides, coordinate accommodation, arrange airport transfers, communicate booking updates and provide customer support.
We may also use relevant information to manage payments, maintain records, improve our services, enhance website performance, prevent fraud or misuse, resolve disputes and comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
Where appropriate, we may use contact information to send travel offers or promotional communications. Customers may request to stop receiving promotional messages at any time.
6. Tour and Travel Booking Information
When you book a tour with Ilyas Skardu Travels and Tours, we may need to use your personal and travel information to organize the services included in your booking.
For example, information may be required to arrange travel within Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Shigar, Khaplu, Astore, Ghizer, Diamer or other locations across Gilgit-Baltistan.
The information used will depend on your selected itinerary and services.
7. Rent-a-Car and Transportation Privacy
When you request a vehicle, airport transfer or other transportation service, we may collect information such as your name, contact number, travel date, number of passengers, pick-up location, drop-off location and destination.
Where necessary, limited information may be shared with the assigned driver or transportation provider so they can perform the requested service.
Only information reasonably required to complete the transportation arrangement should be shared.
8. Travel Guide Services
When a travel guide is included in your tour or booked separately, we may share necessary booking details with the assigned guide.
This may include your name, contact information, meeting location, itinerary, destination, group size and tour schedule.
This information is provided for the purpose of coordinating and delivering the guide service.
9. Hotels and Accommodation Providers
If you ask us to arrange accommodation, we may need to provide relevant booking information to hotels, resorts, guest houses, camps or other accommodation providers.
This may include guest names, travel dates, number of guests, room preferences and other information required to complete the reservation.
Independent accommodation providers may process personal information according to their own privacy policies.
10. When We May Share Personal Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information.
However, certain information may be shared where reasonably necessary to provide the services requested by you.
This can include sharing limited information with hotels, guest houses, drivers, vehicle providers, travel guides, tour operators, activity providers, airlines, payment providers or other suppliers involved in your travel arrangements.
We may also disclose information where required by applicable law, government authorities, legal proceedings or regulatory requirements.
Information may additionally be disclosed where reasonably necessary to protect our customers, staff, business, property or legal rights.
11. Third-Party Service Providers
Travel services often involve independent third-party businesses.
Although we aim to work with appropriate and reliable providers, these organizations may have their own terms, privacy policies and data-handling practices.
Once personal information is lawfully provided to an independent service provider for the purpose of completing your booking, their handling of that information may also be governed by their own privacy practices.
12. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, understand website traffic and enhance the browsing experience.
Cookies may help us understand which pages visitors use, how visitors interact with the website and whether technical improvements are required.
You can usually control or disable cookies through your browser settings.
Disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.
13. Website Analytics
We may use analytics services to understand general website traffic and visitor behaviour.
Analytics information may include device type, browser, pages viewed, approximate location, visit duration and similar usage information.
This information is primarily used to improve website performance, navigation and content.
14. WhatsApp, Email and Social Media
Customers may choose to communicate with us through third-party communication platforms such as WhatsApp, email or social media.
Information shared through these platforms may also be processed according to the privacy policies and terms of the relevant platform.
Customers should avoid sending unnecessary sensitive personal information through unsecured communication channels.
15. International and Foreign Travelers
We provide tourism services to both domestic and international visitors traveling to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Foreign travelers may sometimes be required to provide additional information for accommodation, permits, registrations, immigration requirements or other travel arrangements.
Where such information is required, we will use it only for the relevant travel, legal or administrative purpose.
16. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
Certain booking, payment, communication or transaction records may be retained for business administration, accounting, dispute resolution, fraud prevention or legal compliance.
When information is no longer reasonably required, we may delete, anonymize or securely dispose of it.
17. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, loss, alteration or disclosure.
Access to customer information should be limited to persons who reasonably need the information to perform booking, administrative or travel-related duties.
However, no website, online communication platform or electronic storage system can guarantee absolute security.
Customers should also take reasonable precautions when sharing personal information online.
18. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable law and the circumstances, you may contact us to request information about personal data we hold about you.
You may also request correction of inaccurate information or deletion of certain information that is no longer required.
Some information may need to be retained where necessary for legal, accounting, security, transaction or dispute-related purposes.
Privacy-related requests can be submitted using the contact information provided at the end of this Policy.
19. Marketing Communications
If you have agreed to receive travel offers, promotional messages or tourism updates, we may use your contact information for that purpose.
You can request to stop receiving promotional communications at any time.
Stopping promotional communications will not prevent us from sending necessary service messages relating to an active booking, payment, itinerary or travel arrangement.
20. Children’s Privacy
Our website and booking services are primarily intended for adults arranging travel.
We do not knowingly collect unnecessary personal information directly from young children.
Where children are included in a family or group booking, information required for their travel arrangements should normally be provided by their parent, guardian or responsible adult.
Parents and guardians are responsible for information they provide concerning minors traveling with them.
21. Third-Party Websites and External Links
Our website may contain links to websites operated by third parties.
These may include tourism attractions, hotels, airlines, government services, social media platforms or other travel-related websites.
A link from our website does not mean that we control the privacy practices of the external website.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing personal information.
22. Legal and Regulatory Disclosures
We may use or disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, lawful government requests, court orders or other legal obligations.
Information may also be used where necessary to investigate suspected fraud, security issues, abuse or activities that may affect the safety or rights of our customers, staff or business.
23. Booking Policies and Other Legal Pages
This Privacy Policy should be read together with our other website policies.
Our Terms and Conditions explain the rules governing use of our travel and tourism services.
Our separate Refund and Cancellation Policy explains customer cancellations, refund eligibility, advance payments, non-refundable expenses and related matters.
These policies may apply alongside this Privacy Policy when you make a booking with Ilyas Skardu Travels and Tours.
24. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when necessary to reflect changes in our website, business practices, services, technology or applicable requirements.
When updates are made, the revised version will be published on this page and the Last Updated date may be changed.
We recommend reviewing this page periodically.
25. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the way we handle personal information, please contact us:
Ilyas Skardu Travels and Tours
Location: Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Phone / WhatsApp: +923444111940
Email: ilyasskardutravelsandtours@gmail.com
Website: https://ilyasskardutravelsandtours.com/