Privacy & Policy - PHL - TIH INDIA - WELCOME TO TIH INDIA

Privacy & Policy – PHL

Tourismo Philippines is a registered corporation in the Philippines with offices in Manila.
We are a Philippine Department of Tourism accredited DMC and a member of TPB.

Requirements from the Philippine Government – Coronavirus

Please visit this link and check for the latest updates: Coronavirus Requirements for Travel to the Philippines

Don’t forget:

  1. A passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date in the country, an exit Flight Ticket from the Philippines, and accommodations and suppliers approved by the Department of Tourism.
  2. Valid vaccination certificate is NO longer needed.
  3. All tourists entering the Philippines must fill out the electronic form at: https://etravel.gov.ph/. You should complete this form within three days before your flight to the Philippines. After filling out this form, you will receive an email with a barcode, which you must present at the airport. Without filling out this form, you won’t be allowed to board the flight. Kindly take a screenshot of the QR code received!
  4. Travel insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended, especially if it includes coronavirus coverage. It is important to note that some of the attractions in the Philippines may be considered extreme sports, so you should check with your insurance if it covers such activities. Despite the above information, any changes in the policy of the Philippines written in the attached link in English will determine the entry policy and procedures regarding coronavirus vaccinations: https://etravel.gov.ph/entry-guidelines

Additional Information for Vaccinated Travelers (Not Mandatory)

What is an official vaccination certificate?

  1. An official vaccination certificate from the World Health Organization.
  2. A vaccination certificate from the Philippines VaxCertPh.
  3. An official vaccination certificate from the country of origin, issued through the Ministry of Health.

Vaccines approved by the Philippine Department of Health

As of May 5, 2022, the Department of Health approved the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Sinovac, Gamaleya Sputnik V, Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen, Bharat BioTech’s Covaxin, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Terms and Conditions of the Tour Package:

Not included in the package (Unless stated):

  1. Terminal fees, unless explicitly stated in the offer.
  2. International flights, unless explicitly stated in the offer.
  3. Tips, unless explicitly stated in the offer or included in the package.
  4. Any details not mentioned in the itinerary or the inclusion section.

Notes for the Coronavirus Period:

Coronavirus tests are not included in the price. If there is any additional requirement for extra tests before the customer arrives in the Philippines, this must be added to the total price or paid at the testing facility (according to the instructions at that time).

Payment Terms for Tour Packages:

Upon confirmation of the package, 30% of the total package cost has to be paid for domestic flights and advance payments. Generally, 60 days before arrival, the remaining 70% of the package value must be paid. 45 days before arrival, full payment must be completed (unless otherwise mentioned). These terms apply to full tour packages that include flights, accommodations, transfers, and tours.

Money Transfers: The package price is quoted in US Dollars (USD). For those who wish to avoid currency exchange rates, payments can be made in PHP and have the exchange rate from both banks calculated automatically.

Cancellation Policy for Regular Season (applies to May through September):

16-30 days before the first check-in – One night per hotel/resort booked is non-refundable.

08-15 days before the first check-in – 50% of the package cost is non-refundable.

0-07 days before the first check-in – No refund.

Cancellation Policy for Peak Season (applies to October through April):

46-60 days before the first check-in – 20% is non-refundable.

31-45 days before the first check-in – 50% is non-refundable.

16-30 days before the first check-in – 90% is non-refundable.

Less than 15 days – 100% is non-refundable.

This cancellation policy does not apply to peak holiday dates, such as Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, Chinese New Year, etc.

Notes:

A request to cancel a package will be received and processed within the office’s working hours and by the suppliers. It is recommended to check with insurance agents in your country for the possibility of cancellation insurance for tourism services abroad for any reason, and it is recommended to purchase such insurance even at the time of package confirmation (some policies cover up to $4,000 per person). There is no obligation to purchase a package that includes everything related to the coronavirus disease, but it is highly recommended. Despite the above, Tourismo Filipino always consider the customer’s best interest, and it will do its best to obtain refunds from various suppliers, and any refunded payment will be returned to the customer. Most domestic flights in the Philippines are non-refundable because all airlines in the Philippines are low-cost carriers. Payment for these flights is not refunded in any way unless the airline approves a cash refund as required by law.

Important note: In case there is a supplier/hotel whose cancellation policy is different and does not align with our cancellation policy or is based on Book & Buy, the payment will not be refunded to the customer, but Tourismo Filipino will make every effort to obtain refunds from various suppliers, and any refunded payment will be returned to the customer.

The company charges a package handling fee in case the package is canceled for any reason, which is 10% of the package’s total cost if the cancellation period doesn’t start.

Refunds will be received as mentioned below according to the various supplier policies – credit times of 30-90 days may apply accordingly.

Refunds will be received according to the policies of hotels and airlines, and Tourismo Filipino will adhere to this policy in all matters related to refunds, provided that the suppliers refund the payment in cash.

Notes for the Rainy Season in the Philippines:

The months of June through mid-November are officially included in the rainy season months. Of course, these months can also have rainy weather, as there is no winter in the Philippines; there is a rainy season (tropical climate) and a dry season. In the rainy season, there is a higher chance of rain compared to the dry season, although there can still be rain in the dry season, although with a lower probability. During these months, there may be rain, but it is also possible that most of the time it will be dry. We cannot predict in advance. It is important to note that any financial cost incurred due to weather conditions and not covered by airlines/hotels and other suppliers is the sole responsibility of the customer. In the case of domestic flight cancellations and other services, our office will assist you in finding solutions as much as possible and communicate with various parties. In the case of a cash refund (if received), it will be transferred to you in full.

Note Regarding Flights to and from the North

Sometimes (especially during the rainy season), flights to/from Cauayan and Tuguegarao airports are canceled due to weather conditions or a temporary decision by the airline. In case of flight cancellation, the office will make efforts to arrange transportation as soon as possible, which will perform the journey to the destination instead of the flight. The land journey takes approximately 8-12 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions on that day. In case no suitable transportation or driver is found for this trip with short notice, an additional night in the hotel from which you departed will be required for overnight accommodation on that night. Tourismo Filipino does not cover the additional travel expenses to/from the North, nor is it responsible for covering the payment for an alternative hotel on that night.

Refunds will be received according to the policies of hotels and airlines, and Tourismo Filipino will adhere to this policy in all matters related to refunds, provided that the suppliers refund the payment in cash.

Highlights for the North of the Philippines

The flight from Manila to the North is in the early morning, and the pick-up from the hotel in Manila for the flight will take place at around 4 AM (Sometimes the flight is later, just be ready for early hours).

From Cauayan airport to Banaue town and back, there is a long journey as detailed in the itinerary file (about 4 hours each way).

In the North of the Philippines in general, and in Banaue area in particular, accommodation is very simple, but it is of good quality and readily available in this unique area. The weather in the North is cool and sometimes very cold, so it is recommended to come with long and suitable clothing, especially in the evenings.

Northern tours usually do not include lunch, only breakfast. (Unless agreed differently)

Hotels in El Nido (if included in your package) – Very Important Note!

In El Nido, the hotels are very simple, as well as in the nearby beaches (Corong-Corong and Lio). There are just a few hotels, that are of higher quality and located in the Lio area and town. WIFI is available but limited in most hotels, and in many cases, it is not available at all.

There is hot water in the hotels we work with, but there may be issues, and water pressure is often low. It is a simple beach town with a fishing village history. The advantage is the beautiful bay that surrounds the town. Your hotel is a simple one (If you choose a simple accommodation), but it is one of the best we work with, and the accommodation is not for leisure but for the amazing island-hopping tour.

On the other side of the accommodation levels, there are amazing resorts on separate islands, with prices ranging from hundreds of dollars per night. Between these accommodation levels, there is no middle ground; it is either simple or luxurious.

To get an impression of the resort group offered, you can check the following names: El Nido Resorts group or Cauayan Resort. Seda Lio is good as well.

Hotels in the Philippines

The official star rating is an average of ratings on various booking websites and not the local rating accepted in the Philippines.

Flight Details in the Price Proposal

The flight and hotel details offered in the price proposal may change without prior notice until the package is confirmed and the flight and hotel details are rechecked.

Domestic flights include 20 kg of luggage unless explicitly stated on the ticket that the weight allowance is lower. Customers are required to pay for any excess weight directly at the airport in case of deviation from the pre-purchased weight.

Flight Cancellations and Other Services!

In the event of flight cancellations due to typhoons or weather conditions, Tourismo Filipino will operate according to the policy of the canceling airline. In the case of flight cancellation for any reason, Tourismo Filipino is not responsible for any additional costs associated with changes resulting from the flight cancellation. The Tourismo Filipino team will assist in checking options and will do its best to find hotel changes, transfers, etc., but changes are not guaranteed without cost (unless the airline confirms in writing that they will refund the associated expenses – which will be given at the airport or directly to the customer during or after the trip). In case of failure to arrive at a hotel due to “force majeure” – Tourismo Filipino will operate according to the hotel’s policy, and of course, the office team will do their best to assist in any way possible.

Tips for Traveling in the Philippines:

This list of tips is prepared to enhance your trip to the Philippines. Please refer to the tips related to your trip and itinerary. The Tourismo Filipino team in Manila is available 24 hours a day during your trip. 

Island Hopping in the Philippines:

It is advisable to have waterproof bags for protecting sensitive equipment such as cameras and phones. For hygiene and comfort, it is recommended to have personal snorkeling gear.

Airport Terminal Fees for International Flights:

The fee is 750 pesos for departure from Manila International Airport, equivalent to approximately $14, and 850 pesos from Cebu International Airport. This fee is not included in your package but should be included in your international flight ticket departing from Manila. This fee is not included in all flight tickets departing from Cebu International Airport, so it should be verified.

Terminal fees at local airports vary from 90 to 200 pesos. These should be paid directly to the cashier at the airport.

General Tips:

  • Public restrooms in the Philippines often do not provide toilet paper.
  • When visiting Banaue (Northern Philippines), bring lightweight, long clothing, as there are days when it can be very cold in the north, so plan accordingly with 1-2 pieces of warm clothes.
  • For trips to the terraces in the north, it is recommended to wear suitable walking shoes, as the terraces can be slippery. Please walk with caution.
  • Shared Transfers may experience delays in groups with other tourists. Please be patient. If you have a group transfer, you can upgrade to a private transfer.
  • Shared tours in the Philippines may experience delays due to pick-ups from other hotels. Please be patient as pick-ups are made from various hotels. Private tours can be arranged.
  • Tips for service providers are typically 10% of the total bill, but it is optional if the service charge is already included in the bill.
  • Money and valuable equipment in public places: Be discreet. Keep your money in a hidden pouch and not in one of your pockets.

Important Notes:

Tourismo Filipino reserves the right to change the tour order and departure times according to the decisions of the office in the Philippines and the conditions created in various destinations. Despite what is written, Tourismo Filipino will do its best to maintain the route as originally planned without changes.

Lunch on the days mentioned in your itinerary: Local simple meals include chicken, fish, rice, and vegetables (upgrades are available for an additional fee).

Estimated costs during the trip:

  • 1.5-liter water bottle: Approximately 50 pesos (cheaper options may be available).
  • Soft drinks: Approximately 25 pesos outside of restaurants.
  • Meal per person: 200-500 pesos for inexpensive to moderate restaurants.
  • Taxis in Manila and Cebu: 150-500+ pesos (3-10USD+) depending on the distance and traffic.

Currency exchange:

The safest place with a good exchange rate is the Manila Airport. At other times, it is advisable to visit nearby Western Union branches or various banks.

Visa for the Philippines:

Depending on the country of Origin, you may need to check visa requirements.

Electricity:

Electrical outlets have a voltage of 220 volts. However, you should have an adapter for the outlets.

Vaccinations and Tests:

Don’t forget! Travel insurance and vaccinations are highly recommended. Travel insurance with extreme sports extension is mandatory for a trip with us. We can offer a local one, but the coverage may be insuficient.

Regarding the updated list of vaccinations, it is advisable to check with different health authorities.

You should start vaccinations a certain time before the flight, so be prepared and check this in advance.

About the local health ministry regulations, if you arrive from countries with yellow fever, you will be asked to provide a vaccination certificate.

A short time before you arrive in the country, you will be added to a private WhatsApp group that will accompany you during your trip at anytime. In this group, you will stay in constant contact with our field operations team. The team will assist you with any questions arising from the field and communicate with drivers and service providers. You will also receive updates and information in the group regarding the daily schedule and topics beyond the scope of the trip.

In Manila, the capital, and Cebu City, traffic congestion and road traffic may occur. Traffic congestion eases as you move away from the city towards tourist sites out of the city.

Enjoy the Philippines!

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