Privacy Policy - gotravelyit.com

1. Introduction

Welcome to GoTravelyIt (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Website”), accessible at https://gotravelyit.com/.

We are primarily a travel content platform and marketing affiliate. This means we earn commissions by referring users to third-party travel service providers (such as online travel agencies, tour operators, accommodation booking platforms, and activity providers) through affiliate links. We do not directly provide travel services, handle bookings, or process transactions. The actual services are provided by these third parties under their own terms and privacy policies.

Protecting your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Website.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Website.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that helps us operate the Website, analyze traffic, and monetize through affiliate links and advertising.

a) Information You Voluntarily Provide to Us:

Contact Information: When you contact us via a form or subscribe to a newsletter, we may collect your name and email address.
User-Generated Content: Information you submit when leaving comments, reviews, or participating in community features.
Communications: Records of your correspondence with us.

b) Information Collected Automatically:

When you visit the Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions using cookies and similar technologies. This may include:

Technical Data: Your IP address (which may be anonymized or truncated), browser type and version, operating system, device type, and unique device identifiers.
Usage Data: Pages you visit, links you click (especially affiliate links), the referring website, time spent on pages, clickstream patterns, and your interaction with ads.

This data is collected primarily based on our legitimate interests (under GDPR Article 6(1)(f)) in analyzing traffic, optimizing our Website, and generating revenue.

3. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixel tags, SDKs, and other tracking technologies (collectively, “Cookies”) to collect the information described above.

These technologies are used for:

Essential Functions: To operate the basic functions of the Website (e.g., maintaining user session states).
Analytics & Performance: To understand how users interact with our Website so we can improve its content and user experience (e.g., Google Analytics).
Affiliate Marketing & Advertising: This is core to our business model. We partner with affiliate networks (e.g., Amazon Associates, Booking.com affiliate program, ShareASale, etc.) and advertising partners (e.g., Google AdSense, Mediavine, etc.). These partners use Cookies to track your activity after you click an affiliate link or ad (e.g., completing a purchase) so we can earn commissions and to serve you relevant ads.

You can configure your browser to refuse or manage Cookies. Please note that disabling Cookies may affect the functionality and user experience of the Website. You can also manage your preferences via a cookie banner or consent management tool on our Website.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To operate, maintain, and improve our Website.
To display relevant content and advertisements, monetizing our traffic through affiliate links and ads.
To analyze trends and user behavior to improve our content and marketing strategies.
To respond to your comments, questions, or requests.
To send you newsletters and marketing communications (you can opt-out at any time).
To detect, prevent, and address technical or security issues and fraudulent activity.

5. Disclosure of Your Information

As an affiliate and content publisher, we share information with various third parties:

Affiliate Partners & Advertising Networks: This is fundamental to our operations. When you click an affiliate link or interact with an ad, the corresponding partner (e.g., Booking.com, GetYourGuide, Amazon, etc.) receives information to track conversions and pay commissions. They process your data according to their own privacy policies.
Service Providers: We use third-party vendors to support our business, such as:
- Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Ad-serving technology providers (e.g., Google AdSense)
- Email marketing services (e.g., Mailchimp)
- Hosting providers
- Social media platforms (for retargeting ads, e.g., Meta Pixel)
  These service providers are only permitted to process your data for the purpose of providing services to us.
Legal Obligations: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, court order).
Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or other business transfer, your information may be transferred as a business asset.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes, except as explicitly described in this policy with your consent (managed via cookie preferences).

6. Third-Party Links and Content

Our Website contains links to third-party websites, primarily travel service providers. Please be aware that we have no control over and are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. Your use of any third-party website is at your own risk, and we encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any information to them.

7. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (e.g., for legal, tax, or accounting requirements, or to enforce our agreements).

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your geographical location (e.g., EEA, UK, California), you may have the following data protection rights:

Access: To request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Rectification: To request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): To request that we delete your personal information.
Restriction of Processing: To request that we suspend the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
Data Portability: To request a structured, commonly used, machine-readable copy of your data that you provided to us and to transmit it to another controller.
Objection: To object to our processing of your personal data based on legitimate interests, including profiling for direct marketing purposes.
Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing/Targeted Advertising: (For residents of California, Colorado, etc.) To opt-out of the “sale” or “sharing” of your personal information or its use for targeted advertising, as those terms are defined by applicable laws.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in the “Contact Us” section. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

Regarding Cookies and Targeted Advertising: You can often manage these preferences directly through the cookie banner on our Website or through your browser/device settings.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our Website is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the higher age requirement in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with information, please contact us, and we will endeavor to delete such information.

10. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your personal information. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.