This cancellation policy does not apply for special bookings and /or suppliers with more strict cancellation and refund policies; group bookings, Seat-in-Coach (SIC) / joint tours or services such as airline tickets, river cruises, hot-air balloon excursions, golf packages and bookings during peak season, for which specific cancellation requirements apply. In such special situations, the cancellation policy will be added, together with the confirmation of the booking.

Exchange rates / Currency Fluctuation

All rates quoted in the confidential tariff are in local currencies or in US$ Dollars, unless otherwise stated. In some cases, the local currency and/or the rate is quoted in accordance with the supplier policy rate. AT Lao Co., Ltd does not guarantee currency conversion rates or any quotation where currency conversion is included. AT Lao Co., Ltd reserves the right to adjust rates in case of fluctuations in exchange rates.

Child Policy

Children and infant discounts apply for each destination with detailed explanations on exceptions and variations. Children and infant discounts apply when travelling with at least 2 (two) full paying adults, unless otherwise specified.

In Laos, the age range for an infant is from 0 until 2 years (not having reached the age of 2 years upon departure) and children from 2 until 12 years (not having reached the age of 12 years upon departure).

Free of charge policies

Throughout Asia, special conditions for tour leaders / tour directors are different. AT Lao Co., Ltd is committed to assist where possible to provide specific rates and conditions for tour leaders / tour directors. It is expected that the Client should specify for groups whether a native speaking tour leader / tour director will join with the customers to provide special rates and conditions to tailor-make the right conditions in the proposal.

Payment

• Unless prior credit arrangements have been made with AT Lao Co., Ltd, the company requires full pre-payment for all reservations at least 45 days (*) prior to arrival. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the reservation(s) by the AT Lao Co., Ltd cost of which shall be borne by the client. A sample copy of the voucher must be submitted with credit application in the event that credit approval is requested;
• AT Lao Co., Ltd, at its own discretion, reserves the right to immediately revoke and/or suspend any credit arrangements, should there arise any outstanding unpaid invoices exceeding the agreed credit terms;
• Where deposits and advance payments are required from contractors, these will also be invoiced to the client for (pre)payment. This will be done before AT Lao Co., Ltd makes those deposits on behalf of the client for the respective movement. AT Lao Co., Ltd may decide to exempt any such advance payments or deposits from any prior credit arrangements;
• Payments may be made by telegraphic transfer, drawn on AT Lao Co., Ltd’s bank. AT Lao Co., Ltd shall be entitled to claim for and receive payment of any expenses incurred in claiming any shortfall in payments;
• All bank charges and fees are to be paid by the sender;
• Note that for any group or low cost air tickets AT Lao Co., Ltd always require full prepayment and the same draws reference from the AT Lao Co., Ltd ticketing policy. In the event of any refunds due to cancellation, AT Lao Co., Ltd passes on the same on to the client;
• AT Lao Co., Ltd will advise cancellation/prepayment charges for incentive or group bookings together with the proposal. AT Lao Co., Ltd will apply the individual charges of each hotel which are attached to its hotel list. Special cancellation conditions may apply for group bookings;
• An additional charge of 3% (three per cent) will be added to the total invoice to cover bank charges in each country (when allowed and where credit card payments can be accepted) in all cases of credit card payment.

Non-compliance with these conditions can result in automatic cancellation of services without prior notice.

(*): Pre-payment procedures during high/peak seasons may vary, depending on the supplier policy to guarantee the booking for certain products as well as for specific products such as river and ocean cruises, festival tours, airline tickets and other services / products that have instilled prepayment conditions. AT Lao Co., Ltd will inform the client accordingly about this for each individual case, including conditions for pre-payment procedures.

Payment conditions and account details

Payment procedures for each individual country should be made to each individual country, when booked services are for one country only: each and every invoice will have its own booking reference number, the client’ reference number, and the client’ name.

Confidentiality

This agreement, its contents and all related documentation sent over to the client, are strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any third parties. AT Lao Co., Ltd expects the following from the client in order for them to receive the special contracted rates from AT Lao Co., Ltd:

• The special contracted rates are offered based on the ability of the client to drive the agreed business volume to AT Lao Co., Ltd;
• To protect this confidentiality, AT Lao Co., Ltd will not disclose the rates to its customers and will invoice the client directly;
• Rates are confidential and cannot be promoted or sold on the Internet or otherwise (including third party websites) unless “packaged” with other elements.

Travel requirements

Passport

Acquiring correct information about passport requirements, when making travel inquiries with AT Lao Co., Ltd, is strongly advisable. For all travel from and to the country/countries AT Lao Co., Ltd is serving its customers, a valid passport is required at all times. Conditions for specific validity of passports and regulations for other valid travel documentation can be obtained from each respective embassy and/or consulate of the customer.

For most countries, passports need to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry at a border post/airport/seaport. Any issues related to invalid / not properly issued / expired passports in accordance with the laws of the arriving country with AT Lao Co., Ltd are solemnly falling under the responsibility of the client / the traveller/guest(s).

Visa

In addition to passport requirements, a multitude of countries require additional visa requirements; visa(s) for certain countries can either be obtained in the country of residence or at the border immigration bureau of the country(s) to be visited, where AT Lao Co., Ltd is operational. Full details about the specific visa conditions and requirements to obtain a visa(s) for each specific country can be obtained from AT Lao Co., Ltd and/or from each respective embassy or consulate of the customer. Any issues related to invalid / not properly issued / expired visa in accordance with the laws of the arriving country with AT Lao Co., Ltd are solemnly falling under the responsibility of the client / the traveller/guest(s).

Within these conditions, customers with issued visas that are non-compliant with country regulations, any form of delay in visa issue and/or changes in visa regulations beyond the control of AT Lao Co., Ltd also are under the sole responsibility of the client and/or the traveller/guests.

Travel insurance

It is strongly recommended that the client’s guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance while travelling that covers matters such as death, injury, sickness, theft, damage of any kind, and other important matters.

Neither AT Lao Co., Ltd nor its employees/ agents/suppliers or business partners shall/and can be held responsible for any loss, damaged, stolen personal belongings or sickness, injury or other medical matters AT Lao Co., Ltd will assist the travellers/guests in any mishap cost of which shall be borne directly by the traveller/guest(s)

Health and Safety

AT Lao Co., Ltd complies with all industry-required health guidelines in its selection of product and provision of services. All the traveller(s)/guest(s)s are required at all times to follow the safety regulations for any service provided e.g. wearing seat belts during transfers and wearing life vests for any boat/sailing tour.

AT Lao Co., Ltd checks hotels / restaurants and other suppliers of food and drink and ensure that they have the appropriate operating licenses in place. AT Lao Co., Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way for any kind of food and/or beverage consumed, which has not been recommended by AT Lao Co., Ltd

Accommodation in and around Laos

• There are practically no hotels/resorts, with standard triple rooms in their inventory. These are commonly double/twin rooms with an extra (rollaway) bed, limiting space within the room. Please inform all concerned accordingly to correctly manage expectations. Extra bed rates / triple sharing room rates are available in the confidential tariff;
• Single room supplements are indicated in the confidential tariff. It is common that the provided rooms are twin/double rooms for single use only;
• Preferences such as smoking/non-smoking, king-size beds, and location of the room cannot be guaranteed or confirmed in advance and are subject to hotel policy and availability at time of check-in.

Accommodation rating

Although hotels/guest houses/accommodation in the region may provide the client with information about their qualification, the properties used and offered by AT Lao Co., Ltd in Laos may not all have official star qualification issued by an official government-accredited hotel association in the country of operation.

AT Lao Co., Ltd provides the client with its own internal star qualification which is based on its own experience and certain criteria to ensure the client have an interpretation of the qualification. AT Lao Co., Ltd cannot be held liable in any way for this star qualification, which may result in complaints.

Tours

Unless otherwise specified, all tours and transfers are operated under the following conditions:

• All tours operated includes fully-insured, in good working order transport with English speaking assistance;
• Assistance requirements for languages other than English are subject to availability and may require additional charges;
• Tours include entrance fees, visits, activities, meals (where mentioned) excluding any drinks, guide fees and other expenses, specifically mentioned in the tour program;
• AT Lao Co., Ltd is committed to offer quality optional excursions with on-par rates; when booked with the company, the customer accepts any additional service, which may include shopping.

Transfers

Unless otherwise stated, AT Lao Co., Ltd will provide for each destination according to the rates provided in our confidential tariff:

• Meet and greet services with name sign and/or with specific company logo;
• Assistance with arrival and departure procedures at airports (excluding fast track and/or other services outside of our standard meet-and-greet policy), stations, ports, hotels and/or any other venue;
• Transportation according to the booked itinerary;
• Reconfirmation of onward travel reservations.

Transportation

Committed to delivering exceptional standards, AT Lao Co., Ltd uses only the best available transportation in each destination. Where possible, AT Lao Co., Ltd uses coaches and cars, contracted on a long-term basis.

• Transportation (road or water transport) are operated by fully-licensed drivers / operators, in accordance with country operational standards. Vehicles are maintained strictly in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and kept clean and in good working order:
• Transportation will be in coach / mini coach / mini -van or car with English-speaking assistance and qualified, licensed driver except for transfer services where AT Lao Co., Ltd states “driver only”; A language escort for the entire tour / transfer can be requested for a supplementary cost;
• Vehicles are licensed, insured according to the Laos standards, and equipped with seat belts for all passengers to comply with all local road traffic regulations.
• Water transport will be of a similar good quality and lifejackets will be provided for all clients.

AT Lao Co., Ltd ensures to apprise the client of standards of transportation in each destination it operates in and that the transport is region specific , yet it is committed to the best available means of transportation in that specific area of operation.

Guides and representation in each destination

AT Lao Co., Ltd provide a multi-lingual team of professional guides and all guides are licensed and registered with the relevant authorities and undergo extensive training, prior to leading tours.

Corporate Social Responsibility

AT Lao Co., Ltd strongly believes in creating a sustainable and responsible business platform and is committed to “giving back” to the communities in which we reside. Since the first AT Lao Co., Ltd office was opened in Laos in 1999 we have sponsored disadvantaged children to attend school and university, collected equipment and supplies for orphanages on an annual basis and been actively involved in other aid intervention programs such as the protection of wildlife sanctuaries and rescue and rehabilitation centres.

Today our efforts have expanded and we proudly support various projects across the region. For more information about sharing and caring for local communities, please check out our website (http://www.asiantrails.travel/) for more information.

Travelife

Our sustainability operations go far beyond the protection of our destinations’ flora and fauna. As part of our ongoing commitment to contribute to operate sustainably across all our operations, Asian Trails is a certified Partner under the Travelife (www.travelife.org) framework. The Travelife standard is covering the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including the environment, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations; and is formally recognised as being in full compliance with the UN supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.

Travelife, which has been established with the support of the European Commission, is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector and is supported by numerous national travel associations.

Carbon Offsetting programme

As part of our initiatives that follow sustainable paths, Asian Trails is offering carbon offsetting programmes for all customers travelling with us. This eco-friendly add-on is a voluntary initiative where all proceeds go towards carefully chosen partners whom we have joined on this quest to work actively to reduce the economic and socio-cultural impacts CO2 has on the climate.

For more information, how this works and how you, as a valuable partner and client, can take part in this green scheme, kindly contact us.

Provided content and Intellectual Property Rights

All information – text, images, reviews, any downloadable files, and other information provided on our platforms – is copyright protected and its content and information cannot be used / duplicated / copied / linked or distributed in any way, unless written confirmation from AT Lao Co., Ltd has been granted.

We have obtained exclusive ownership of all rights, interests and title deeds, including the design of our online platforms, bearing our name and/or is (in)directly associated with us.

In case you wish to use information (whole and /or a part) of the above-mentioned, you require written confirmation from us – this includes as well translations of any kind. Any proven use of unlawfully actions or behaviour that reflects the use of these intellectual property rights is considered a material infringement and may be held liable in accordance to the law of that respective country.

All information provided in our communication via any online or offline channel (visual and in writing) is considered marketing material and may not sketch the actual situation, service provided and/or represents an actual depiction of the shown services. AT Lao Co., Ltd cannot be held accountable in any way when the shown information on offers, itineraries, publications of any kind when this does not correspond with the actual situation.

Complaints and irregularities

AT Lao Co., Ltd considers complaints as valuable feedback to improve service delivery levels. We request that service delivery failures or customer concerns, be reported during the customer’s stay, to one of our representatives. It is the aim of the company to solve any irregularity on the spot. The company reserves the right to refuse to take action on perceived irregularities submitted to the company 30 days after the customer returns back home.

Licenses and permits

All AT Lao Co., Ltd offices, subcontracted suppliers and other service providers use and comply with the requisite license and permit requirements, based on the relevant regulations of each country that AT Lao Co., Ltd operates in.

Force Majeure

During the term of this Agreement, neither party shall be in default of its obligations to the extent that its performance is delayed or prevented by causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, famine, pandemic, epidemic, strikes and other labour disturbances, acts of war, or civil disturbances, or other equivalent or comparable events. On happening of the Force Majeure event the affected party shall communicate the force majeure event to the other party in writing.

The obligations under this Agreement shall remain suspended between the parties due to the force majeure event. In the event, the force majeure event does not cease to exist but continuous beyond the period of 30 days, then either party shall be at liberty to terminate this Agreement forthwith due to the force majeure event. It shall be at the discretion of the affected party, if during the force majeure event it mitigates the situation and attempts to perform its obligations under this Agreement subject to the other party reciprocating to bear additional costs and expenses that may be incurred by the affected party to perform the services for the other party during a force majeure event.

Indemnity

The Client agrees to indemnify and to save AT Lao Co., Ltd from harm and against all damage or injury (including death) to property or person(s) resulting from intentional or negligent acts or omissions from their respective officers, employees, agents, contractor or subcontractor in connection with the performance of this Agreement.

Legal note

This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Laos (and/or applicable in relation to the country it is legally represented) for the time being in force and the parties agree to submit any dispute arising between the parties under this Agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the respectable Arbitration Institute, Office of the Judiciary applicable at the time of submission of the dispute to arbitration and the conduct of the arbitration thereof shall be under the auspices of the specific Arbitration Institute accordingly.

Liability

The parties’ total aggregate liability will not in any event exceed the amount invoiced between the Parties under the Agreement in the preceding 12 months before the date of claim. The parties shall however not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, punitive or similar damages (including, without limitation, lost profits and lost revenues) to the affected party or any third party pursuant to or in connection with this Contract. AT Lao Co., Ltd acts as an intermediary between all airlines, hotels, local tourist offices and other service providers.

Therefore AT Lao Co., Ltd reserves the right to modify tours and itineraries with or without notice. AT Lao Co., Ltd’ package tours are organized in conjunction with the respective airline(s) scheduled flights, itineraries and timetables are provisional and subject to change without notice. Acknowledgement and confirmation of the above-mentioned conditions is active, once client participate in one of the provided services.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

AT Lao Co., Ltd  shall have the following obligations in relation to data protection. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Personal Data” shall have the meaning set out in EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) (2016/679) (“Data Protection Law”).

The processing of Personal Data will only extend to, and in such a manner, as is necessary for the purposes limited to the purpose of this agreement in accordance and as instructed by -insert agent name- (hereafter called ‘The Client’). All Personal Data will be processed in line with the intended purpose and will not be used for any other purpose. AT Lao Co., Ltd will keep a record of any processing of personal data it carries out on behalf of the client;

Rights of the Data Subject:

Promptly comply with any request from The Client requiring AT Lao Co., Ltd to amend, transfer or delete the Personal Data

• provide, at request of The Client, a copy of all Personal Data held by it in the format and on the media reasonably specified by The Client
• only collect any Personal Data on behalf of The Client in the form which will be provided to AT Lao Co., Ltd and which will contain a data protection notice informing the data subject of the identity of the data controller, the identity of any data protection representative it may have appointed, the purpose or purposes for which their Personal Data will be processed and any other information which is necessary having regard to the specific circumstances in which the date is, or is to be, processed to enable processing in respect of the data subject to be fair. AT Lao Co., Ltd shall not modify or alter the form in any way without the prior written consent of The Client;
• Promptly inform The Client of any action those results in the loss, destruction, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access to, personal data. AT Lao Co., Ltd will restore such Personal Data at its own expense.

AT Lao Co., Ltd warrants that:

• it will process the Personal Data in compliance with all applicable Data Protection laws; and
• It will take appropriate technical and organisational measures against the unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against the accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data to ensure compliance of The Client with the Data Protection Law.
• AT Lao Co., Ltd shall notify The Client immediately if it becomes aware of any advance in technology and methods of working which mean that The Client should revise its data security measures.
• AT Lao Co., Ltd agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and defends at its own expense The Client against all costs, claims, damages or expenses incurred by The Client or for which The Client may become liable due to any failure by AT Lao Co., Ltd or its employees or agents to comply with any of its obligations under this Clause
• AT Lao Co., Ltd agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and defend at its own expense The Client against all bonafide costs, claims, damages or expenses incurred by The Client or for which The Client may become liable due to any actual and /or intentional failure by or its employees or agents to comply with any of its obligations under this Clause.