Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

• What are Cookies? Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. This policy also covers similar technologies like pixels, tags, and web beacons that perform related functions.
• Why We Use Cookies: TravelSouth uses cookies and similar technologies for several purposes, including: enabling the website and app to function correctly, enhancing your experience (like remembering your language or currency preferences), analyzing how our platform is used, personalizing content, and delivering relevant advertising.
• Scope: This policy applies to all cookies and similar technologies used on the TravelSouth website(s) and mobile application(s).
• Your Consent and Choices: We provide you with control over the cookies used on our platform. Depending on your location, different rules apply. For regions like the European Union (EU) and the UK, we need your explicit consent for cookies that are not strictly necessary for the site to work. In other regions, like California, you have the right to opt-out of uses that involve the "sale" or "sharing" of your data via cookies, such as for targeted advertising. You can manage your preferences as described below.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize the cookies we use as follows:

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the basic operation of our platform. They allow you to navigate the site, use core features like logging into your account, maintaining security, and progressing through the booking process. These cookies do not require your consent, but we inform you about them. You generally cannot disable these without significantly impacting the website's functionality.
• Functional Cookies (or Preference Cookies): These help us remember choices you've made (like your preferred language, currency, or region) to provide a more personalized and convenient experience. Consent requirements vary by region (generally opt-in for GDPR, potentially opt-out under CCPA if data is shared).
• Performance Cookies (or Analytics Cookies): These collect anonymous, aggregated information about how visitors use our platform – which pages are visited most, how users navigate, if they encounter errors, and site loading speed. This data helps us understand usage patterns and improve how the website works. We often use tools like Google Analytics for this. Consent is generally required under GDPR, while CCPA requires notice and potential opt-out if the activity involves "sale" or "sharing" of data.
• Targeting Cookies (or Advertising Cookies): These cookies track your browsing activity across websites to build a profile of your interests. This information is used by us and third-party advertising partners to show you advertisements that are more relevant to you on our platform and elsewhere. These almost always require your explicit opt-in consent under GDPR/POPIA and are subject to the "Do Not Sell or Share" opt-out right under CCPA/CPRA.

We also use:

• Session Cookies: These are temporary and expire when you close your browser.
• Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device for a predetermined period or until you delete them.
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by TravelSouth.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by domains other than TravelSouth (e.g., analytics providers, advertisers).

3. Specific Cookies Deployed

For detailed transparency about the specific cookies we use, their purpose, who sets them (TravelSouth or a third party), and how long they last, please refer to our Cookie Preference Center. You can access this via the "Cookie Settings" link in the website footer.

4. Third-Party Cookies

We allow certain third parties to place cookies and similar technologies on our platform. These include:

• Analytics Providers: Such as Google Analytics, to help us understand website usage.
• Advertising Partners & Networks: Companies that assist in delivering and measuring targeted advertising campaigns.
• Social Media Platforms: Such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, if we integrate social sharing buttons, login features, or tracking pixels.
• Affiliate Networks/Partners: Cookies used to track referrals if you click on links to or from partners like Booking.com, Expedia, Holafly, etc., which helps manage commissions.

These third parties use cookies for purposes like website analytics, measuring ad effectiveness, enabling social features, delivering personalized ads, and tracking affiliate referrals. TravelSouth does not control the operation of these third-party cookies. We recommend reviewing the respective privacy and cookie policies of these third parties to understand their practices and how to manage your choices directly with them.

5. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

• GDPR/ePrivacy (EU, UK, etc.): For users in regions requiring it, we seek your explicit, opt-in consent before placing any non-essential cookies (Functional, Performance, Targeting). Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, granular (allowing choice by category), and easily withdrawable. Simply browsing our site does not count as consent.
• CCPA/CPRA (California): For California residents, cookie data (like identifiers, IP addresses, browsing history) is considered personal information. We provide notice about the cookies used. While opt-in isn't required for placement (except for minors under 16 regarding sale/sharing ), you have the right to opt-out of any "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information facilitated by cookies, particularly Targeting/Advertising cookies. You can exercise this right via the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link.
• POPIA/ASEAN: In South Africa and many ASEAN countries, consent is generally required for processing personal information, including identifiable data collected via cookies, especially for non-essential purposes like tracking or advertising. We typically apply the GDPR opt-in standard in these regions.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

We provide several ways to manage your cookie preferences:

• Cookie Consent Banner: When you first visit our site, a banner appears providing information about our cookie use, linking to this policy, and offering choices: Accept All, Reject All (non-essential), or Customize/Manage Preferences. For regions requiring opt-in, non-essential cookies are off by default and require your active selection. We do not block essential site functionality if you refuse non-essential cookies.
• Cookie Preference Center: You can change your settings or withdraw consent at any time via a persistent "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" link, usually found in the website footer. This center allows you to adjust preferences for different cookie categories.
• Browser Controls: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including blocking or deleting existing cookies. However, disabling strictly necessary cookies may affect website functionality.
• CCPA/CPRA Specific Links: For California residents, the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and (if applicable) "Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information" links are available, often in the website footer or integrated into the Cookie Preference Center.

7. Policy Updates

This Cookie Policy may be updated occasionally to reflect changes in technology, laws, or our practices. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the latest revision.

8. Summary Table of Cookie Categories

*Note: Specific cookie lifespans are detailed in our Cookie Preference Center. Consent/Opt-Out requirements depend on your jurisdiction*.