Website: www.welcomejourneytourism.com
1. Preamble
1.1.This data protection policy details the procedures of Welcome Journey Tourism, also known as Welcome Journey Tourism LLC, which is registered in the commercial register of the Dubai Court and Department of Economy and Tourism under license number 1312409, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It governs the processing of personal data collected through the fulfillment of contracts and usage of our website. As a provider of tours and packages, the contract fulfillment mentioned herein pertains to the purchase of tours and all products available on our website, www.welcomejourneytourism.com and it is directly associated with our terms and conditions.
1.2. Welcome Journey Tourism treats the data entrusted to us with confidentiality and handles it with responsibility. We adhere to the relevant legal regulations concerning the protection, lawful processing, and confidentiality of personal data, as well as data security. This document provides information on the nature, extent, and purpose of data collection.
1.3. Personal data refers to any information related to an identified or identifiable individual. This encompasses, for example, your name, your email address, and your IP address.
2. Data Collection
2.1 Welcome Journey Tourismcollects data in the course of providing services related to its offerings in two primary ways: data is gathered both through direct input/notification by customers (i.e. WhatsApp, Chat and Meta Platforms), and through interactions with our website and booking systems.
2.2 The types of data Welcome Journey Tourismcollects through customer input/notification may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Input/disclosure during contract initiation and/or fulfillment, including:
- First name
- Surname
- Company registration number (if applicable)
- Address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Customer number
- Contract details
- Data collected during website visits, such as:
- IP address
- Date and time of access
- Name and URL of the accessed file
- Referrer URL
- Browser and operating system, along with the name of the internet service provider
2.3 In addition to the above, Welcome Journey Tourismmay collect data through our website and booking systems, which could include:
- Device-related information
- Information related to the use of our website and booking system
- Location-related information for the purpose of personalizing and enhancing our services and offerings to our customers.
3. Purposes and legal bases of the processing
3.1 Welcome Journey Tourism, also known as Welcome Journey Tourism LLC collects the following data from (potential) contractual customers and partners during the initiation and/or fulfillment of contracts and the purchasing process on the website, www.welcomejourneytourism.com:
- First name
- Surname
- Company registration number (if applicable)
- Address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Customer number
Purchase data
- This data is processed for the purposes outlined below:
3.1.1 Purchase initiation and fulfillment: To satisfactorily meet our obligations towards website visitors, we require this data, pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the UAE’s equivalent to the GDPR provisions, adapted for compatibility with UAE law while also respecting GDPR for our European clients.
3.1.2 Fulfillment of a legal obligation: Processing this data may be necessary to comply with various legal obligations, such as those arising from the UAE’s Federal Tax Legislation, in line with Article 6(1)(c) under UAE law, ensuring GDPR compliance for European stakeholders.
3.1.3 Consent: Where consent has been provided for data processing, such processing occurs in alignment with the purposes outlined in the consent declaration to the agreed extent, under Article 6(1)(a) as adapted for the UAE context, with GDPR considerations for European clients.
3.2 Welcome Journey Tourismuses cookies for various purposes, detailed in our cookie policy at: [I will add OAT Cookie Policy Link here]. Additionally, the following data is particularly collected during website visits:
- IP Address
- Date and time of access
- Name and URL of the accessed file
- Referrer-URL
Browser, operating system, and the name of the access provider
- The data is processed for the following reasons:
3.2.1 Protection of legitimate interests: Data processing ensures our website’s error-free operation, prevents misuse, and facilitates its prosecution if necessary. This is based on our legitimate interest in maintaining a technically functional website and safeguarding against misuse, in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) as adapted to UAE law, respecting GDPR guidelines for our European audience.
3.2.2 Consent: When consent is provided for data processing, for example, for direct marketing through electronic messages (i.e. What’s App), processing aligns with the consent’s purposes and scope, under Article 6(1)(a) adapted to UAE legislation, with GDPR compliance for European clients.
3.3 Utilizing our contact or support form on the website at [Insert Contact Form Website], the information from the inquiry form, including provided contact details, is stored for inquiry processing purposes. Data submission is voluntary, supporting our fulfillment of (pre-)contractual obligations and our legitimate interest in sustaining our business relationship with you.
3.4 Social Media Plugins
3.4.1 Welcome Journey Tourismhas integrated plugins from social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn.
3.4.2 The responsible service providers in the GCC Region are Facebook Ltd, Dubai Media City, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai. Facebook HQ Building is an office building in Dubai Media City, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai with adjustments for UAE laws and GDPR considerations for European clients.
3.4.3 These plugins are identifiable by their respective social media logos or the “Like” button and only activate upon your engagement, preventing premature data transmission.
3.4.4 Engaging a plugin establishes a direct connection between your browser and the social media provider’s server, allowing them to note your visit to our site via your IP address. If logged into a social media account, your visit can be linked to your profile.
3.4.5 By interacting with Facebook’s “Like” button while logged into Facebook, you can connect our page content with your profile, enabling Facebook to associate your visit with your account.
3.4.6 It’s important to log out of social media accounts before visiting our website to prevent them from gathering information about your visit.
3.4.7 For more details on privacy and data usage, refer to Facebook’s privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy, with a mindful approach to GDPR for European users and corresponding adaptations for UAE law.
4. Transmission of your personal data
4.1. The data provided by you will only be passed on or transmitted to third parties if this is necessary for the purpose of processing the ticket issuance where are 3rd party provider is involved.
4.2. For the purposes mentioned under point 2, we will transfer your personal data in particular to the following recipients:
- IT service providers used by us as mere processors;
- Contractors;
- Tax advisors and auditors;
- Legal representatives;
- Courts;
- Competent administrative authorities;
- Collection agencies;
- Insurance companies
4.3. Personal data storage
Welcome Journey Tourism respects and upholds the privacy of our clients’ personal data, both within the United Arab Emirates and across international borders. In compliance with the Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 regarding the Protection of Personal Data, and in consideration of our obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for our European Union clients, we ensure the following measures for international data transfers:
- Adequacy Decision: Personal data will only be transferred to countries outside of the EU/EEA when an adequacy decision by the European Commission confirms that the third country ensures an adequate level of data protection.
- Suitable Safeguards: In the absence of an adequacy decision, we will transfer personal data only if suitable safeguards for the protection of personal data are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission or other legally recognized mechanisms.
- Explicit Consent: Where neither an adequacy decision nor suitable safeguards are available, we will proceed with the transfer of personal data to third countries only with the explicit consent of the data subject for specific and individual cases, ensuring full transparency and the right to withdraw consent at any time.
Our commitment to the protection of personal data extends beyond geographical boundaries, ensuring that our clients’ privacy rights are respected and maintained at all times, in line with both UAE law and international data protection standards, including the GDPR.
5. Storage period
5.1 At Welcome Journey Tourism, we retain your personal data for the time necessary to efficiently meet our obligations to you under our contract. This includes adhering to the UAE’s legal requirements for data retention, ensuring that data essential for complying with financial and tax regulations is securely stored as per the applicable laws. Typically, this period extends to seven years to comply with financial documentation and tax-related obligations. Additionally, personal data may be retained for an extended duration in specific scenarios, such as until the conclusion of our business relationship, the resolution of any legal matters, or through the warranty and guarantee periods. This approach also applies to the period necessary for addressing any claims for damages or for safeguarding rights under copyright laws. Our data retention policy is designed to protect both your interests and our legal obligations, ensuring compliance with UAE law while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of your personal data.
6. Data Security
6.1. The personal data collected in accordance with point 2 of this data protection declaration will be protected by Welcome Journey Tourismto the best possible extent against unauthorized access, unauthorized use or publication by third parties.
7. Legal Disclosure of Personal Data
Based on the Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 regarding the Protection of Personal Data in the UAE, Welcome Journey Tourism can disclose personal information under specific circumstances to protect the company’s rights or comply with legal obligations. This new legislation aligns with international data protection standards and emphasizes the importance of managing and safeguarding personal data with clear governance.