Platinum Privileges - The Travel House

■ Due to Spanish legislation, guests must be 16yrs or over to use spa facilities
in Spain and the Canary Islands.
Baby Essentials Packs: Available to book for all accommodation (may exclude
some villas or particularly remote properties). How can one little person have so
much luggage? Save 5% (excludes delivery costs) on baby essentials packs with
our selected providers. Delivered direct to your accommodation, they include
international and UK brands, with items like nappies, wipes, food jars, formula
milk and juice. Bebebel is based in Costa Almeria in Spain and delivers to most
destinations worldwide. To book online and claim your discount visit
www.bebebel.com. TinyTotsAway is based in the UK and delivers to most
destinations worldwide. To book online and claim your discount visit
www.TinyTotsAway.com/tuitraveluk. Please note that this agreement is between
the customer and the supplier, TUI Travel UK & Ireland will not be involved in any
part of the transaction or the provision of the products. All queries should be
directed to the suppliers.
Children’s Clubs Group sizes: Safety is paramount; we therefore work to a strict
staff:child ratio. In the case of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, when 2
staff members are not available, then we reserve the right to cancel or postpone
activities. To meet UK Health & Safety legislation, and at busy times, we may
need to limit the numbers in children’s clubs and attendance may have to be on
a rota basis. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in
the club.
Cots: We recommend that you bring your own travel cot as some hoteliers
cannot guarantee that there will be a cot available on the date you arrive. Please
bear in mind that no extra baggage allowance is given for cots, so you will have
to pay an extra charge if your total luggage weight exceeds your limit. Hoteliers
may charge for infant cots and food.
Kidzone
Age ranges: Our clubs are open to children aged 3-12yrs. Kidzone is split
according to the following ages: 3-5yrs (Tots); 6-8yrs (Team); and 9-12yrs (Tribe).
On some occasions activities may be combined; this will not interfere with either
safety or enjoyment due to the enforced ratio restrictions at all times. Carers are
welcome to attend. Please note that the Kidzone staff cannot accept
responsibility for children who are not toilet trained.
Availability: Only those clubs featuring a Kidzone logo meet the above
specification. As we are constantly updating and reviewing Kidzone, identities
and facilities may differ from those stated. Standards and facilities at hotel-run
kids’ clubs may vary. You should therefore ensure that you are fully satisfied with
the facilities and staff before enrolling your child. We are unable to take
responsibility or guarantee that the standards at hotel-run clubs meet UK
standards.
Availability Limitations: Club activities will not be available until 1st May unless
the club also runs in winter.
Session times: All groups offer up to 2hrs of daytime activities, 5 times a week
and 2hrs of evening activities up to 3 times per week. Some evening activities
may incur a charge.
Travel Advice
For the most up to date information go to our website or ask your travel agent
for further information on any travel restrictions, entry & stay requirements, visa
& travel advice to your particular destination.
Customs Information: A customs guide for travelers entering the UK can be
obtained from the Customs and Excise National Advice Service on 0845 010
9000 or at www.hmce.gov.uk.
Inoculations: It is the responsibility of all passengers to ensure that prior to
travel they have taken the necessary health precautions applicable to their
chosen destination. Advice about destinations can change, therefore please
consult with your doctor at least 2 months before your departure, as some
treatments (e.g Malaria) should begin well in advace of travel. For bookings
within 3 weeks of departure, please consult your doctor before booking your
holiday. Other sources of information include the Department of Health’s free
leaflet Health Advice for Travellers (0800 555 777), your doctor, a specialist travel
clinic or MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad 0208 994 9874).
Local taxes & visas: Some countries/islands make a charge on every visiting
tourist. This charge has to be paid by each person, sometimes to the hotelier,
sometimes at the local airport on arrival or departure. Because such charges are
continually being introduced and the amount varies by destination, it is not
possible to list here how much you should expect to pay.
Customers travelling with infants may incur an additional bed tax for holidays in
the Maldives. This is to be paid by the customer upon arrival at their destination
(approx. $8 per infant).
For information regarding visas to Egypt, please call the Egyptian Consulate on
0207 235 9777 or visit www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk.
If you are travelling to the USA, the US authorities have introduced a
requirement for passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to
register for Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP
please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website.
Passengers who have not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA
prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be
denied admission at the U.S. port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa,
nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP,
guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final
determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of
entry. If you are refused boarding or denied admission at the US port of entry
you will still be subject to our cancellation charges in accordance with the terms
of our contract with you. An ESTA application cannot be submitted using a post
dated passport until the passport is valid. If a post dated passport has been
issued which begins validity less than 72 hours prior to departure, customers are
advised to travel and register for ESTA using their maiden name, as registering
for ESTA less than 72 hours prior departure may mean authorisation to travel
may not be granted.
Local Laws: In some destinations, local laws and religious customs can lead to
the withdrawal of certain facilities. In all Muslim countries visitors are reminded
that during the month of Ramadan, local bars and restaurants (including hotel
restaurants) change their opening hours so that staff can adapt their eating
habits to the restrictions imposed upon them during daylight hours. Visitors may
also be requested to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public areas
during daylight hours. You should also be aware drinking and gambling ages vary
by destination. USA drinking & gambling laws are very strict. You need to be 21
years of age in order to be served and don’t be surprised if you get asked for
proof of age (including a photograph) if you look under 30! To gamble, you must
also be 21 years or older. In Sri Lanka, it is common during full moon holidays
(Pooya Days) for hotels not to serve alcohol from hotel bars. In this case, it is
usually permitted to consume alcohol in your rooms, but not to buy alcohol from
any premises. In Aruba, India, Mexico and Venezuela, when elections are being
held, then it is common for all licensed premises to be closed for the sale of
alcohol (including the service of alcohol in all inclusive properties). In the
Maldives, it is forbidden to import alcohol into the country, but alcohol is for sale
in tourist resorts.
Passports and Entry Requirements: For the latest details of any travel
restrictions, entry and stay requirements, visa and travel advice to your particular
destination, visit the Foreign Office website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or call 0845
850 2829 and visit the Passport Service website at www.ips.gov.uk for passport
information before booking or travelling. Holders of non-UK passports should
always check with their embassy, high commission or consulate before booking.
Passport names and name changes: The name on the passport must match
the name on the ticket, otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurances
may be invalid. If someone in your party changes name after the booking is
made, you must tell us immediately so we can issue the ticket in the new name.
If you’ve already received the ticket, simply return it and we’ll reissue one in the
correct name. (An amendment fee may be applicable).
Passports and Minors: There may be specific entry requirements applicable to
minors (children under 18) relevant to the country you are visiting. In certain
circumstances this may incur additional expenses and require separate/additional
legal documentation such as an affidavit, executed by a notary public, where for
example the minor is not accompanied by both parents. As these entry
requirements vary for different countries you should always check with the
relevant consulate/embassy of the country you are intending to travel to prior to
booking. Failure to do so may result in you being refused entry/carriage.
Special rules by destination or airline: Some countries and charter airlines
have special rules about passports and visas. As visa requirements may change
at any time, it is important to double check with the relevant consulate/embassy
of the country you are intending to travel to prior to booking your holiday and
again within 6 weeks of departure. Failure to do so may result in you being
refused entry/carriage. Charter airlines are not permitted to carry certain
nationals to and from their country of origin due to licensing law restrictions in
place with overseas aviation authorities. The current licensing laws, as of 3rd July
2006, do not allow airlines of TUI Travel to carry nationals of the following
countries on their operating routes; Brazil, Cuba, Kenya, Maldives, Morocco.
Egyptian nationals, with official residence in the UK, can travel on Inclusive
Package Tour arrangements only. Indian and Turkish passport holders can travel
on Inclusive Package Tour arrangements only. Please check with your
embassy/consulate before booking. Failure to do so may result in you being
refused entry/carriage. For travel to Goa, Kerala and Sri Lanka, holders of Indian,
Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese and Bangladeshi passports are not permitted to
travel on British Charter Flights. This travel restriction does not apply to
Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese and Bangladeshi passport holders who have a
spouse holding a foreign (non Indian) passport.
Safety First: We take all reasonable care to make sure that the services which
make up the holidays advertised by us are provided by efficient and reputable
businesses. These businesses should follow the local and national laws and
regulations of the country where they are provided. However, overseas safety
standards are generally lower than in the UK, for example, few hotels yet meet
EC fire safety recommendations even in Europe. Usually we cannot make
changes to facilities developed in accordance with these local standards. We will
often be able to highlight specific risks in resort but this section also informs you
of general issues overseas.
Children’s Safety: We take advice from leading UK child safety organisations and
accident prevention agencies to ensure that standards are as high as possible.
Parents should check that they are happy with hotel clubs and children’s facilities,
including playgrounds.
Excursion Safety: We work with our excursion suppliers to ensure that they
operate to appropriate safety standards. Whilst every care is taken with the
activities we recommend, if you choose to use an alternative supplier, this will be
at your own risk.
Health and Hygiene: We promote good hygiene practices within hotels, but the
hygiene standards, particularly in developing destinations, are generally much
lower than in the UK. Extra care should be taken by pregnant women, infants
and the elderly and it may be advisable to consult your GP before booking if you
have any concerns.
Language Assistance: In the event of guests requiring police or hospital
assistance we will do our utmost to assist but we do not provide official
translation/interpretation services.
Mobility: Whilst our hotels are obliged to comply with local health and safety
standards, and many offer ramps and specially adapted rooms, if you have
particular concerns regarding your mobility, you are advised to contact us for
information on the suitability of the accommodation you have in mind prior
to booking.
Scuba Diving: We strongly advise those planning on taking scuba training to
have a full medical examination in resort (which may be at an extra cost) and to
consult your GP before going on holiday. It is dangerous to fly less than 24 hours
after scuba diving due to changes in pressure which may result in ‘the bends’ or
even, in severe cases, paralysis. You must ensure you have adequate cover
through your chosen insurer.
Swimming Pool and Beach Safety: It is extremely unlikely that the pool or
beach in your holiday accommodation will have a lifeguard. Children must always
be accompanied by an adult in the pool, including children’s pools and
surrounding areas including any beach. Familiarise yourself with any flag warning
systems in operation on local beaches, and take into account local conditions.
Always check swimming conditions such as undercurrents and tides.
Special Needs: Let our Special Assistance Team know in advance if you require
any special arrangements. Wheelchair assistance must be pre-booked with your
registered disabled number or a letter from your doctor. If you fail to pre-book
your wheelchair assistance, we reserve the right to refuse travel. If the extent of
your disability is such that you cannot use the coach transfer between your
resort airport and accommodation, then taxi transfers can be prebooked at a
charge. If this option does not appear available at your accommodation, our
Special Assistance Team can find out prices of taxis for you. Facilities for
customers with special needs vary from hotel to hotel.
Special requests: We will always do our best to meet your requirements BUT
NO GUARANTEE IS GIVEN as this does not form part of your holiday contract.
Weather: Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico are occasionally affected by tropical
storms and hurricanes June-November. It is impossible to predict their path or
duration more than 3 to 4 days in advance, often less. South East Asia may be
affected by a monsoon season, typically May-Sep. If a storm is forecast for one
of our holiday destinations we monitor all activity through various websites and
information received from local and international experts. We follow the advice of
the FCO and work with the Federation of Tour Operators in resort to ensure that
customer safety is foremost if there is hurricane activity during your holiday.
Information about You
Your Information: This refers to information such as your name, contact details,
travel preferences and special needs/disabilities/dietary requirements that is
supplied to us, including any information about other persons on your booking
relating to the same (“your information”). Your information is collected when you
request information from us, contact us (and vice versa) or make a booking with
us. You are responsible for ensuring that other members of your party are aware
of the content of our Privacy Policy and consent to your acting on their behalf in
all your dealings with us. We will update your information whenever we get the
opportunity to keep it current, accurate and complete.
Our Use of Your Information: (1) For the purpose of providing you with our
services, including your flight, holiday or insurance, etc., we may disclose your
information to our service providers (who could be located outside the UK/EEA).
In order for you to travel overseas, it may be mandatory (as requested
government authorities at the point(s) of departure and/or destination) to
disclose your information for immigration, security and anti-terrorism purposes,
or any other purposes which they determine appropriate. Even if not mandatory,
we may exercise our discretion to assist where appropriate. (2) We may collect
and use your information for the purposes set out in our registration with the
Office of the Information Commissioner, and disclose the same to our “group
companies” (some of whom are outside the UK/EEA) for business purposes. We
may also disclose your information to companies who act as “data processors”
on our behalf, or to our service providers’ operating systems or business
functions on our behalf, some of whom are outside the UK/EEA. These purposes
include administration, providing services (and contacting you where necessary),
customer care, improving our service, business management and operation, reorganisation/structuring/sale
of our business (or our group companies), risk
assessment, security and crime prevention/detection, research and analysis,
marketing, monitoring, measuring and assessing customer purchasing
preferences and trends, dispute resolution, credit checking and debt collection.
(3) Some of your information (such as health or religion) may be considered
“sensitive personal data” under the Data Protection Act 1998. We collect it to
cater to your needs or act in your interest, and we are only prepared to accept
sensitive personal data from you on the condition that we have your positive
consent. By booking with us you also agree for your insurers, their agents and
medical staff to disclose relevant information (which may contain sensitive
personal data) to us in circumstances where we need to act in the interest of
everyone in the group you are travelling with. For example, if your illness at
resort is infectious we may need to make special arrangements for you and also
ensure that you do not return with the group immediately. If you do not agree to
Our Use of Your Information above, we cannot do business with you or accept
your booking.
Direct Marketing Material: (1) We may from time to time contact you with
information on offers of goods and services, brochures, new products,
forthcoming events or competitions from our holiday divisions and our holiday
group companies. Our websites will assume you to agree to ecommunications
when you make a booking. You will be given the opportunity on every ecommunication
we send you to indicate that you no longer wish to receive our
direct marketing material. (2) You may indicate your preference regarding
receiving 3rd party direct marketing material. (3) If do not wish to receive such
information or would like to change your preference, please refer to point (2) of
“Your Rights” below.
Your Rights: (1) You have the right to ask in writing by completing our Data
Subject Access Request form for a copy of the information we hold about you
(for which we may charge a fee) and to correct any inaccuracies in your
information. (2) You have the right to ask in writing not to receive direct
marketing material about our products and services. If the following facilities are
available, you can amend your previous preference on our website(s), using our
“unsubscribe e-mail” or in literature which you subsequently return to us. Once
properly notified by you, we will take steps to stop using your information in this
way. (3) If you would like a list of our group companies or brands, please send us
your request. Our registered address is at TUI Travel House, Crawley Business
Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex. RH10 9QL. Please address your
correspondence to the Assistant Company Secretary.
Foreign Controls: Outside the European Economic Area (EEA), note that controls
on data protection in such countries may not be as strong as the legal
requirements in this country.
Use of Tools, “Cookies” and Links to Other Websites: If our contact and
dealing with you is via our website(s), we may use “cookies”. Cookies allow us to
identify your computer but not you personally. You can set your web browser to
A-Z Guide
refuse cookies. However, you may not be able to enjoy all the facilities or book
via our website if you do so. We collect information relating to customer trends
and patterns and use cookies and software tools to measure site usage and
related information. If you are making a purchase, we may also use cookies to
keep track of the transaction from one web page to another. Our website(s) may
contain links to other sites not controlled by us. We are not responsible for the
actions, content or the privacy policies of those websites. It is your responsibility
to check the status of these sites.
Monitoring: To ensure that we carry out your instructions accurately, to help
improve our service and in the interest of security, we may monitor and/or
record: (1) your telephone calls; (2) customer activities using CCTV recording
equipment in and around our premises; and (3) customer transactions and
activities on our website. All recordings are and shall remain our sole property.
Security Statement: We have taken all reasonable steps to have in place
appropriate security measures to protect your information.
Changes to this Policy: Any changes to this Policy will be either posted on our
website, in our brochure and/or made available on request. Privacy Policy:
March 2007
Data Protection Policy: To ensure that your holiday runs smoothly, we (and your
travel agent, if you use one) need to use information such as your name and
address, special needs, dietary requirements, etc. We will apply appropriate
security measures to protect this data. However, we must pass it to suppliers of
your travel arrangements, including airlines, hotels and transport companies. We
may also supply it to security or credit checking companies, and to public
authorities such as customs and immigration. If your holiday is outside the
European Economic Area (EEA), controls on data protection in your destination
may not be as strict as in the UK. We will only pass data, including sensitive
information regarding disabilities or dietary and religious requirements, to people
responsible for your travel arrangements. If we cannot pass this information to
the relevant suppliers, in the EEA or elsewhere, we cannot provide your booking.
When you make this booking, you consent to this information being passed to
the relevant people. Information held by your travel agent is subject to that
company’s own data protection policy. We can supply a copy of your information
held by us; there is a small charge for providing this. We may use this information
to contact you with details of other products and services offered by other TUI
Travel PLC Group companies, or by its trading partners. If you do not want this
service, please write to TUI Travel Group, PO Box 103, Northampton, NN3 6AZ.
Caricom API Data notice
Please note that some or all of the Caricom states listed below have entered into
an agreement with the USA whereby advance passenger data, required by and
provided to Caricom states for border security purposes, will be passed to the
USA Department for Homeland Security for processing on behalf of those
Caricom states listed as follows: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St
Vincent and the Grenadines, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos
Islands, as well as Collective members or associate members of ‘Caricom’. The
UK Information Commissioner’s Office has accepted that this will not breach the
Data Protection Act but that we are required to bring this to your attention.
Sustainable Tourism
Blue Flag: Many of the beaches in the resorts featured in this brochure have
been awarded a Blue Flag. The programme, run by the Foundation for
Environmental Education, awards these to beaches and marinas that meet its
high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, safety and environmental management.
For more information, see www.blueflag.org.
Born Free Foundation: Thomson Airways supports Born Free. The airline has
raised over £2.5 million for the wildlife charity since 1995, through in-flight coin
collections and staff fundraising. The funding has provided vital support for a
wide range of Born Free projects, including orphan polar bear rehabilitation in
Canada, a wildlife ambulance in Scotland, an elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka, a
chimpanzee sanctuary in Uganda, elephant relocation in Kenya, and basking
shark conservation in UK waters. For more information on the work of the Born
Free Foundation, visit www.bornfree.org.uk.
Family Holiday Association: Thomson supports the Family Holiday Association,
a UK charity helping families take a much-needed holiday they would otherwise
be unable to afford. Many Thomson employees run the London Marathon to
raise money for this charity, and you can donate by giving your loose change on
your flight. To find out more, visit www.fhaonline.org.uk.
Sustainable Aviation: We all know flying impacts the environment. We’re busy
changing the way we fly to save fuel and reduce emissions. We’re also part of
Sustainable Aviation, a UK initiative bringing together airlines, airport operators,
aircraft and engine manufacturers and air traffic management providers, which
seeks to minimise the impact of flying on the environment and society. For more
information, visit www.sustainableaviation.co.uk.
Sustainable Hotels: We’re following the Travelife guidelines, an independent
scheme supported by the European Union and the Federation of Tour Operators
to make sure hotels look after the environment, their employees and local
communities. Travelife Bronze businesses have policies in place to reduce their
environmental impacts and treat people fairly. Travelife Silver businesses go
further than the bronze awardees, actively seeking ways to benefit the local
community and environment. Travelife Gold businesses encourage others to get
involved in sustainability, seek continual improvements and communicate their
progress. To find out more about the Travelife system, visit www.its4travel.com.
World Care Fund: Every time you book a holiday with us you can make a
donation to our World Care Fund. Every penny goes to our partners, The Travel
Foundation and ClimateCare, who run projects that support local people in
holiday destinations and tackle climate change. When you book, we’ll ask for a
donation of £1 per passenger (50p for children). We’ll match your donation
pound for pound, so together we’ll make an even bigger difference. Donations to
the World Care Fund are voluntary, and you can opt out if you wish. You’ll find
more information on these projects at www.thomson.co.uk/environment. To find
out more about our partners, visit www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk and
www.climatecare.org.
Help and Assistance
Information and Enquiries:
Special Needs Helpline 0871 230 0204
If you have a disability or need any special assistance
Group Bookings 0871 971 0560
For groups of 10 passengers or more
Weddings 0871 971 0545
For our dedicated weddings support team
Honeymoons 0871 231 4880
For honeymoon enquiries and bookings
Booking Amendments 0844 871 0872
To change your holiday details
Airline Enquiries 0871 231 4787
For general enquiries about your flight
Customer Service 0844 871 0882
Customer Services Post departure
Customer Services Address: Customer Service Department, First Choice
House, Peel Cross Road, Salford, M5 4DN
Travel Agent Support:
Agent Reservations 0844 871 0877
Administration: 0844 871 0877
Group Bookings 0871 971 0576
Administration (Fax) 02476 28 26 28
Weddings 0871 971 0545
Calls cost 10p per minute at all times from BT landlines. Other operator
networks may vary.
Sales and Admin line
24/7 HolidayLine: 24-hour resort information line, dedicated team of experts
taking your call, whatever the time of day. Call +44 2476 28 22 28; text 82345;
email 24-7@thomson.co.uk. Calls from abroad will be charged at international
rates. Text messages to 82345 cost £0.50, , plus your network rate.
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