KERCEM A’ TOURS – TERMS & CONDITIONS

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

A. YOUR BOOKING

Once your deposit has been paid, your booking will be considered confirmed, and your tour reservation will be secured. The deposit is non-refundable. By confirming your booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

The deposit and final balance may be paid by local cheque, cash, credit card or bank transfer. The outstanding balance must be settled in accordance with the payment deadlines set out in these Terms and Conditions.

The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all other persons included in the reservation are aware of and accept these Terms and Conditions.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS reserves the right to cancel a tour if the minimum number of participants required for the tour to operate is not reached. In such cases, guests will be informed of the cancellation 20 days before the departure date.

When making a booking, it is essential that all names provided match the names exactly as they appear in the relevant passports. If incorrect details are provided and airline tickets are issued with incorrect names, the airline may charge a name correction fee ranging from €50 to €160, depending on the airline. KERĊEM A’ TOURS will also charge an administration fee of €50 for the time and work involved in arranging such corrections.

B. OUR PRICE POLICY

All prices published on our website and in our tour programmes are quoted per person and are correct at the time of publication. Child rates apply when children share a room with two or three adults, as specified in the relevant tour programme.

Prices may be subject to change before a booking is confirmed and the required deposit has been paid. In such cases, the applicable price will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Once your booking has been confirmed and your deposit has been paid, the price of your trip will not be increased, except where permitted by applicable law and due to changes in exchange rates, increases in taxes or duties, rises in airline fuel costs, or other factors that directly affect the overall cost of the trip.

C. OUR ASSURANCE ON STANDARDS, DUTIES AND OUR COMMITMENTS

Our tour descriptions and programmes are based on information provided by hotels and other service providers. Hotel check-in and check-out times vary depending on the establishment. Unless otherwise specified, rooms are generally available for check-in from 3:00 PM, and check-out is usually required by 10:00 AM.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS strongly recommends that all guests obtain adequate travel insurance to cover their personal belongings and other potential risks during their trip. Guests should take appropriate precautions to safeguard their valuables while travelling.

Unless otherwise stated in the tour programme, entrance fees to museums and exhibitions, boat and train rides, cable car journeys and other attractions are not included in the tour price and must be paid for separately.Optional excursions and sightseeing activities are also charged separately. Unless otherwise stated, the price of an optional excursion includes the relevant bus transfers but excludes entrance fees. Local guides are not included unless specifically mentioned.

The tour price and the services included are clearly indicated in the price section of the relevant tour programme. Only the services expressly listed under “Included in the Price” are included in the advertised tour price.

Please note that our tour programmes are often published several months in advance. Consequently, certain advertised facilities, entertainment, activities or performances may not be available at the time of the visit. Where we become aware of such changes, we will endeavour to inform guests as soon as reasonably possible and, where possible, before departure.

The availability of activities and facilities may be affected by adverse weather conditions, maintenance, cleaning, insufficient demand, local licensing requirements, religious or public holidays, or restrictions imposed by local authorities or governments.

Similarly, itineraries and excursion arrangements may need to be changed at short notice due to circumstances such as weather conditions, road or traffic conditions, mechanical breakdowns, police activity or other unforeseen events. Where necessary, we will endeavour to make appropriate alternative arrangements.

Each group tour is accompanied by a Maltese-speaking tour leader who is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the published tour programme. The tour leader is not required to provide services outside the official programme, except where reasonably necessary in an emergency. The tour leader is also not required to accompany guests inside individual shops, flea markets or theme parks unless this forms part of the published programme.

If you have any concerns or complaints during your trip, please inform your tour leader as soon as possible so that we have the opportunity to investigate the matter and, where reasonably possible, resolve it during the tour.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS takes reasonable steps to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made for its advertised tours. However, certain services are provided by independent third-party suppliers. Where services are affected by circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, strikes or the unavailability of performers, we will endeavour to inform affected guests and make appropriate arrangements where possible. Flight delays and disruptions may also affect the itinerary and arrangements for a tour.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to exclude or limit any liability or obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Any special requests made on behalf of guests, including adjacent hotel rooms or specific seating arrangements at dinner, are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in writing.

D. IF WE CHANGE YOUR HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS

KERĊEM A’ TOURS carefully plans each holiday to provide guests with an enjoyable travel experience. However, circumstances may arise that make changes to the original arrangements necessary. These may include changes to flight schedules, hotel closures or overbooking, changes to the itinerary or accommodation, or circumstances affecting the minimum number of participants required for the tour to operate.

Should any changes become necessary, we will inform affected guests as soon as reasonably possible and endeavour to maintain the overall quality and standard of the holiday by making suitable alternative arrangements where possible.

Any changes to your holiday arrangements will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Where a change affects your rights as a traveller, we will inform you of any applicable options or entitlements.

E. IF WE CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS

KERĊEM A’ TOURS may need to cancel a tour if the minimum number of participants required for the tour to operate is not reached.

We will assess the number of bookings and the feasibility of operating the tour no later than three (3) months before the scheduled departure date. If we decide to cancel the tour, affected guests will be informed as soon as reasonably possible and will be entitled to a refund of all payments made or, where available and subject to their agreement, an alternative holiday of comparable standard.

Any cancellation will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

F. YOUR FLIGHT

Please refer to the relevant tour programme for details of the airline we expect to use. The choice of airline shall be at the sole discretion of KERĊEM A’ TOURS, which reserves the right to use alternative airlines and/or aircraft where necessary.

Flight times are subject to confirmation and may be changed. Some flights may include stopovers, and as the circumstances affecting these arrangements may not always be known before departure, we may not always be able to inform guests in advance.

All flights are subject to the necessary permits, licences and approvals being granted by the relevant authorities in Malta and abroad.

In the event of a change or cancellation of your flight, as referred to in this section and in Sections D and E, KERĊEM A’ TOURS shall not be liable for any additional costs or consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from separate contractual arrangements entered into independently by the customer with any third party.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS shall not be responsible for the services provided by the airline before, during or after the flight. Furthermore, KERĊEM A’ TOURS shall not be responsible for any part of the trip that may be missed or lost as a result of flight delays, mechanical breakdowns or similar events.

G. HEALTH

Health facilities, hygiene standards and the risk of disease vary from one country to another. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically fit to travel and that you are aware of any health requirements applicable to your destination.

If you become ill during the trip, the tour leader will do their best to provide reasonable assistance. However, KERĊEM A’ TOURS cannot accept responsibility for illness or medical conditions, except to the extent required by applicable law.

You are responsible for following all relevant medical advice and ensuring that any necessary vaccinations, preventive measures or treatments are completed within the recommended timeframes. Some treatments may need to be started several months before departure to ensure that they are effective during your trip.

We recommend consulting your doctor before travelling or contacting the International Travel Vaccination Bureau on 2123 9260, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, for further advice regarding travel vaccinations and health precautions.

H. FORCE MAJEUR

The itineraries described in our tour programmes may need to be changed due to force majeure or other unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. These may include technical defects affecting aircraft, ships or buses; hotel-related disruptions; strikes; wars; the closure of ports; quarantine measures; adverse weather conditions; and other similar events.

In such circumstances, KERĊEM A’ TOURS and the owners or operators of the relevant ships, aircraft, buses or hotels may be affected by circumstances beyond their control. Any changes to the travel arrangements and the responsibilities of the parties concerned will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO US

A. DEPOSIT PAYMENT AND BALANCE OF PAYMENT

The deposit paid at the time of booking is non-refundable by KERĊEM A’ TOURS.

The remaining balance must be settled no later than two and a half (2.5) months prior to departure. For bookings made within two and a half (2.5) months of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Guests are requested to ensure that all payments are made by the specified deadlines to allow KERĊEM A’ TOURS to settle the necessary payments with its service providers in a timely manner.

If payment is not received by the applicable deadline, KERĊEM A’ TOURS reserves the right to cancel the booking, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

B. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING

Should you wish to make changes to your travel plans, KERĊEM A’ TOURS will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your request, subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the relevant service providers. Any changes requested will be subject to an administration fee.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS reserves the right to pass on any additional charges arising from such changes, in addition to the administration fee.

If the price of your holiday depends on the number of people sharing the accommodation and you wish to change the number of participants in your booking, the price per person will be recalculated according to the revised group size, as specified in the relevant tour programme.

Any increase in the price per person resulting from a partial cancellation or change to the booking, such as a hotel room becoming under-occupied, a change from a twin room to a single room, or a difference in flight ticket costs, will not be treated as a cancellation fee but as an adjustment to the cost of the holiday.

C. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to the offices of KERĊEM A’ TOURS. The cancellation will take effect from the date the written notification is received by our offices.

We strongly recommend that all guests purchase appropriate travel insurance before departure. Travel insurance may provide cover for cancellation costs if you are unable to travel, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the relevant insurance policy.

If you cancel your booking and have not taken out travel insurance, any refund due will be limited to the amounts that KERĊEM A’ TOURS has not already paid, and is not contractually obliged to pay, to its service providers on your behalf.

Any refund will be subject to the applicable terms and conditions and relevant legal requirements.

D. YOUR RESPONSIBILITES

You are responsible for ensuring that you and all persons included in your booking hold valid passports and any visas or other travel documents required for the destinations visited. You should check passport validity requirements, visa requirements and other entry conditions well in advance of departure, particularly if you do not hold a Maltese passport.

Any fees, fines or other charges imposed by the authorities in Malta or abroad as a result of failure to comply with passport, visa or other entry requirements will be your responsibility, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

You are also responsible for consulting your doctor regarding any vaccinations or other health precautions recommended for your chosen destination.

Airline and maritime operators may impose specific travel requirements for pregnant passengers. If you are pregnant, you should check the applicable requirements directly with the relevant airline or maritime operator before travelling. Where required, you must provide the appropriate medical certificate confirming that you are fit to travel.

You are responsible for ensuring that you and all persons included in your booking behave appropriately and comply with the instructions of the tour leader, airline personnel, ship’s crew, hotel staff and other relevant service providers.

KERĊEM A’ TOURS reserves the right to refuse service to, or arrange for the removal of, any person whose behaviour is reasonably considered likely to endanger, harm, harass or seriously disturb other guests, employees, service providers or members of the public, or cause damage to property. Such action may be taken on the advice of the airline pilot, ship’s captain, hotelier, accommodation manager or another responsible person, where appropriate.

Where a guest’s conduct results in refusal of service or removal from the tour, any refund or compensation will be determined in accordance with the circumstances and applicable laws and regulations. KERĊEM A’ TOURS shall not be responsible for additional expenses arising from such conduct to the extent that these are lawfully the responsibility of the guest concerned.

It is your responsibility to obtain appropriate travel insurance for the duration of your trip. KERĊEM A’ TOURS can assist by recommending travel insurance through our preferred insurance broker. You are not obliged to purchase insurance through this provider; however, we strongly recommend obtaining suitable cover for medical expenses, trip cancellation, travel disruption, loss of belongings and other unforeseen circumstances. The coverage provided will depend on the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance policy you choose.

E. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT

KERĊEM A’ TOURS strives to ensure that all guests enjoy a pleasant and trouble-free holiday. However, occasionally, unexpected situations may arise.

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding any part of your holiday, particularly during the overseas portion of your trip, you should inform your tour leader, local representative or relevant service provider as soon as possible. Where appropriate, you should also submit your complaint in writing so that the matter can be investigated and we have the opportunity to address and resolve the issue during your trip.

Guests are encouraged to give KERĊEM A’ TOURS a reasonable opportunity to resolve any issues that arise. This does not affect any rights guests may have under applicable laws and regulations.

DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)

Personal data provided by the Client shall be processed in accordance with GDPR (EU) 2016/679 solely for the purpose of fulfilling this agreement.

GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Malta. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Maltese Courts.

EU PACKAGE TRAVEL COMPLIANCE

Where applicable, this agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations (S.L. 409.19) and Directive (EU) 2015/2302. Nothing in this agreement shall limit the statutory rights of the traveller under applicable law.

By making a booking with KERĊEM A’ TOURS, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions. You are also responsible for ensuring that all other persons included in your booking are made aware of and accept these Terms and Conditions.

I declare that I have read the terms and conditions above:

Client’s Name and Surname: ______________________________________________

Client’s Signature: ________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________________________________