At Himalayan Harmony Travel, we are committed to providing you with an exceptional and soulful journey through the Kingdom of Bhutan. To facilitate your travel, we must collect and process certain personal information. This policy outlines our practices in compliance with the laws of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Information Collection for Bhutanese Travel
To process your mandatory visa and permits, we collect the following:
- Official Identity Data: A clear scanned copy of your Passport (valid for at least 6 months), Voter ID (for Indian Nationals), and recent passport-sized photographs.
- Mandatory Travel Details: Inbound and outbound flight details, which are required by local airlines (Drukair/Bhutan Airlines) and the Department of Immigration for synchronization and airport logistics.
- Health & Safety Data: Age, gender, height (for trekking equipment), and general health status or physical limitations to ensure your safety in high-altitude regions.
- Dietary Preferences: Specific dietary requirements or allergies to be communicated to our licensed guides and partner hotels.
Use of Information (Regulatory Compliance)
Your data is used strictly for the following legal and operational purposes:
- Visa & Permit Processing: We share your data with the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of Immigration via the Integrated Business Licensing System (IBLS) to secure your e-visa and route permits for restricted areas beyond Thimphu and Paro.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): Managing the payment of the daily SDF as mandated by the Tourism Levy Act.
- Guided Services: Sharing relevant preferences with your Licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide, who is legally required to accompany you throughout your stay.
- Accommodations: Providing your identity details to DoT-certified "Clean and Safe" hotels and resorts for check-in procedures.
Data Sharing & Disclosure
We do not sell or trade your data. Disclosure is limited to:
- The Royal Government of Bhutan: For visas, security clearances, and statistical reporting.
- Local Service Providers: Licensed guides, trekking chefs, and transporters within Bhutan.
- Emergency Services: In the event of an emergency or medical evacuation, relevant health data will be shared with medical professionals and your insurance provider.
Security & Retention
- Secure Storage: Your personally identifiable information (PII) is stored on secure servers and accessible only to authorized personnel.
- Encryption: All sensitive communications and payment transactions are processed via SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology.
- Retention: We retain your data only for the duration required by Bhutanese law for tourism records and tax audits.
Your Rights & Consent
By booking with us, you consent to the collection and sharing of your data with the authorities mentioned above. Under the ICMA 2018, you have the right to:
- Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct any inaccuracies in your passport or contact details.
- Withdraw consent, though this may result in the cancellation of your visa or permits as per Bhutanese regulations.
Cookies & Technical Data
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Contact Information
For any privacy-related inquiries or to update your travel information, please contact our customer representative.
