TRAVEL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a closed Jehovah’s Witnesses community tour group, organized by Discover Bible Lands Inc. (DBL) and International Heritage Tours (IHT/Agency – TICO # 3319273). Your paid deposit does NOT guarantee your participation until DBL completes thorough due diligence and confirms your active membership status.  If the customer is NOT a baptised Jehovah’s Witness, they must obtain written approval from DBL for a place on the tour. The customer accepts that DBL reserves the right to decline customers’ tour participation at its own discretion. 

The customer understands DBL tour leaders and teachers are volunteers and NOT paid employees. The local guides are often NOT Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their personalities may NOT be palatable to the customer. Customers are encouraged to do their own research. It is NOT possible to cover all information at a location. It is NOT possible to satisfy all learning style preferences. The purpose of this tour is to bring the customer to Biblical locations, and deliver the travel product purchased. The customer should have reasonable expectations of the DBL team and guide. At all times, their first priority is the delivery of purchased travel services, NOT teaching.  

The customer confirms that the customer understands and agrees we may NOT visit all places mentioned in the itinerary, and hotels may also change.

All tour information can be found in the Application Package. The customer and/or anyone for whom the customer requests IHT/DBL to make travel arrangements, shall verify all details set out on all itineraries and invoices upon receipt from IHT/DBL and shall immediately advise the Agency of any errors or omissions. The customer shall provide a copy of these Terms and any changes to these Terms to anyone for whom the customer requests IHT/DBL to make travel arrangements.

Unless stated in these terms and conditions, the Terms of Service with IHT apply - please refer to https://www.ihtours.com/terms-of-service/. The customer acknowledges that the customer and anyone for whom the customer requests IHT/DBL to make travel arrangements, has been directed to review the terms and conditions of the suppliers of the travel services included in the travel arrangements made by IHT, including airlines, trains, bus lines, cruise lines, hotels and tour operators, including baggage allowances, check-in times, age and height restrictions and advised that any questions customer and anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, may have about the travel suppliers’ terms and conditions should be addressed to the specific travel service supplier.

The customer and anyone for whom customer requests IHT to make travel arrangements, shall be responsible to ensure that they have all necessary travel documentation, including, vaccination certificates, visas, a passport (valid until 6 months after the expected return date), and parental consents to travel with minors required by any destination to which they are travelling or through which they will transit. The customer and anyone for whom the customer requests IHT to make travel arrangements, acknowledges that even with the required documentation and information in his/her possession s/he may be refused entry into another country at either the point of departure or arrival.

The customer and anyone for whom customer requests IHT make travel arrangements, acknowledges that the destination(s) to which they are travelling may have living standards, entry requirements, and practices and standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation, that may differ from those in Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, United States of America, etc. 

The customer shall be responsible for notifying IHT of any special requirements regarding the travel arrangements, including the type of seating/accommodation required and dietary requirements of customer or anyone for whom customer requests the Agency to make travel arrangements, at the time of booking the travel arrangements. IHT will make travel suppliers aware of such requests and customers shall be responsible for any additional costs for such requests, however DBL & IHT shall NOT be responsible for any failure to provide such services by the travel suppliers. 

DBL & IHT shall NOT be liable for any damage or loss suffered by the customer or anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency to make travel arrangements, including the inability to use any of the travel services, as a result of failing to comply with this section.  

The application form is binding from the date the deposit payment is received.

If a customer registers for a tour hoping to find a roommate, but is unsuccessful, the terms and conditions apply. The customer would be liable for the single supplement fee.

DBL and IHT are not liable for flight tickets purchased by a customer independently. If an airline were to cancel their flights, the customer is responsible to arrange a new flight booking, and make a travel insurance claim, if relevant.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The customer acknowledges that the Agency has recommended that the customer buy travel insurance and the customer confirms that the customer has advised anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, of that recommendation to buy travel insurance. Each customer is responsible for purchasing their own Travel Insurance Coverage. Where applicable, the customer is responsible to check if their coverage includes cruise vacations. In case of trip cancellation or interruption, lost luggage, accident, theft, medical / injury, and other circumstances NOT mentioned, the customer accepts that DBL & IHT, and their travel operator partners are NOT responsible nor liable for the same. If a tour is cancelled by DBL and IHT, DBL and IHT are NOT liable for an individual flight purchased by the customer. The customer is encouraged to purchase All inclusive cancellation travel insurance.

COUNTRY TRAVEL ADVISORIES

No matter where in the world you intend to travel it is always important to have the most up-to-date travel information. At IHTours we do our best to provide our clients with the latest destination information when planning their trips. It is the travelers’ responsibility to check the travel advisory on the government websites based on their country of residence and citizenship. As an example, here are the websites where you will find official information and advice from the Governments of Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom on situations that may affect your safety and well-being abroad. Here you will also find other important travel issues such as security, local laws and culture, entry and exit requirements and health. If your country is NOT listed, it is your responsibility to check and perform your own due diligence.

• Government of Canada - Country Travel Advice and Advisories
• US State Department - Bureau of Consular Affairs
• Government of Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Government of New Zealand - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Government of United Kingdom - Foreign Travel Advice

GROUP TOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND PRICING

The tour price is based on a minimum number of customers. If the minimum number of customers has NOT been met, DBL / IHT will explore the possibility for the incoming travel operator to provide an increased price so the smaller group can still travel. If all customers accept the increased price, the tour can proceed. If not, the tour will be cancelled, and a full refund will be issued. 

If a tour is cancelled by DBL and IHT, DBL and IHT are NOT liable for an individual flight purchased by the customer. The customer is encouraged to purchase All inclusive cancellation travel insurance coverage. 

DBL / IHT are NOT liable for any currency fluctuations with purchase or refund transactions.

Gratuity/Tips are NOT part of the travel product, but a courtesy discretionary offering. DBL and IHT may request up to a maximum of $300.00 USD per-person for tips. This is NOT standard practice. This provision is rarely exercised. 

TRAVELLING WITH A PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

Prior to travel, if a customer becomes ill, the terms and conditions still apply. If the customer decides to travel, they accept all risks associated with travelling with a pre-existing condition. The customer understands that DBL, IHT, and the incoming travel agency, are unable to provide practical assistance at the detriment of the group's vacation experience. The customer further understands travel insurance coverage may become null and void when travelling with a known serious medical condition. 

DBL, IHT, and the income travel agency are NOT liable where a customer has missed the cruise port departure time. The customer understands they must make their own travel arrangements, at their own expense, to meet the group at the next port. 

PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL SERVICES & PROCESSING FEES AND NON-REFUNDABLE AMOUNTS            

Customers shall be responsible for payment of all travel services and payment shall be made to International Heritage Tours. Customers shall be responsible for payment of all processing fees and currency exchanges, and payment shall be made to IHT. Customers shall be responsible for payment of all deposits and payment shall be made to IHT. Deposits are non-refundable regardless of whether the travel services are supplied or used and regardless of why the travel services are NOT supplied or used. Processing fees are due on the date the travel services are booked and are non-refundable regardless of whether the travel services are supplied or used and regardless of why the travel services are NOT supplied or used. 

DBL/IHT shall advise customers of dates when payments are due and failure to make payments when due may result in cancellation of the travel services, which will be considered cancellation by the customer and all travel suppliers and above IHT cancellation fees will apply.

CANCELLATION POLICY

DBL and their travel operator partners are NOT responsible or liable for force majeure circumstances that could postpone or cancel a tour. This includes pandemics, social unrest, natural disasters, and similar. In such cases a future travel credit equal to the full value of the tour will be issued. The cancellation policy will apply.

The customer confirms that he/she understands and agrees any cancellation after payment will incur a non-refundable deposit  and processing fee as follows:

i. Cancellation 6 months or more before departure date will incur a US$500 non-refundable processing fee, AND 30% of the total tour cost will NOT be refunded.  

ii. Cancellation between 4 and 6 months from departure date will incur a US$500 non-refundable processing fee, AND 50% of the total tour cost will NOT be refunded.

iii. Cancellation 3 months or less from departure date will result in a loss of a full value of the tour (100% of the total tour cost), processing fee will be waived.

Travel credits are NOT available for a customer to exercise if they are unable to travel for any reason. Registration places are NOT transferable. 

FORCE MAJEURE

In no event shall IHT/DBL be liable for any failure to perform its obligations or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay is due to events beyond its control which prevents the performance of its obligations, including without limitation, nuclear or environmental catastrophes; natural disasters and extreme weather conditions; war, invasion, or similar hostilities; rebellion, revolution, insurrection; riots or civil unrest; strikes, lockouts and labour action; acts or threats of terrorism; epidemic, pandemic, or spread of disease; Acts of State or governmental restrictions; and loss or prolonged interruption of necessary utilities, communications or computer services. The customer acknowledges that the Agency, on behalf of the customer and anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, will forward funds to independent third party travel suppliers, and that once forwarded, these funds may NOT be recovered and/or refunded. Where a force majeure event has occurred, performance of the Agency’s obligations shall be suspended for the duration of the force majeure event, and the Agency shall perform its obligations when it is possible to do so. In any event, the liability of the Agency arising out of force majeure event shall NOT exceed amounts paid directly by the customer or anyone for whom customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, to the Agency, and the Agency shall NOT be liable for any consequential or indirect damages or legal costs incurred by any party. 

In such Force Majeure cases a cash refund might NOT be offered, however the Agency may opt to offer the customer a future travel credit for the value of the tour.  

WAIVER OF RIGHTS

IHT/DBL has advised the customer that because of the effects of COVID 19 in all parts of the world it canNOT provide any assurance about conditions in any location, the methods used in any location to manage COVID-19, the services or amenities available in any location, or the effects of COVID-19 on any of the travel services that travel arrangements. Knowing of the conditions and having been given this warning by the Agency, customer, on his/her own behalf and on behalf of anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, acknowledges that use of the travel arrangements has significant inherent risks and the customer and anyone for whom customer requests Agency make travel arrangements agrees to waive any and all rights s/he/they may now have or may have in the future against DBL, the Agency, its directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, its parent company and the parent company’s subsidiaries and affiliates for any damages, actions, causes of action, proceedings, suits, debts, dues, covenants, contracts, claims and demands as a result of any adverse circumstances caused by or arising from the use of the travel services, including those related to delay, interruption or cancellation of some or all of the travel services, causing the customer and/or anyone for whom customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, to have to remain in transit or stay at a location for longer than anticipated, all at the customers or anyone for whom the customer requests the Agency make travel arrangements, cost.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

The customer agrees not to make audio or video recordings of the guide, the tour leader, and similar. The customer agrees not to share or distribute any tour content delivered by DBL. The customer agrees not to use any tour recordings or content for commercial purposes, nor to produce their own Bible tours of any kind, for example travel, in-person, virtual, or streamed. This clause likewise applies to all DBL copyright and trademark material, whether soft or hard copy. Matthew 5:37. 

PRIVACY 

The customer provides consent for their personal information contained in their application to be shared with travel operators, airlines, and similar for the purpose of arranging the tour.