WORTHWHILE JOURNEYS LTD
Booking Conditions & Terms of Travel
Applicable to Worthwhile Journeys and Worthwhile Escapes
1. About these Booking Conditions
These Booking Conditions, together with your booking confirmation, the itinerary and any other written information we provide to you before your booking is confirmed, form the basis of the contract between you and Worthwhile Journeys Ltd.
“Worthwhile”, “we”, “us” and “our” means Worthwhile Journeys Ltd. “Traveller”, “you” and “your” means the person making the booking and each person travelling under that booking.
By making a booking, the lead traveller confirms that they are at least 18 years old, have authority to make the booking for everyone named on it, and agree to these Booking Conditions on behalf of all travellers.
2. Our Travel Products
Worthwhile sells organised travel experiences under the brands Worthwhile Journeys and Worthwhile Escapes. Our products may include accommodation, transfers, local transportation, guided experiences, activities, meals and other travel services as described on the relevant product page or booking confirmation.
Flights are not included unless they are expressly stated as included in the specific product description and booking confirmation.
We work with independent destination management companies, accommodation providers, transport providers, guides, activity operators and other local suppliers. Some services may therefore be delivered by third parties on our behalf.
3. Booking and Contract Formation
A booking is made when we receive the required payment and issue written confirmation. A booking is not confirmed until written confirmation has been issued by us.
We reserve the right to decline a booking before confirmation where there is a legitimate operational, capacity, eligibility or security reason.
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all information supplied to us is accurate and for making all payments due under the booking.
4. Prices and What is Included
The price and inclusions shown at the time of booking form part of your booking. Please check the product page and booking confirmation carefully before paying.
Prices may change before a booking is confirmed. Once your booking has been confirmed, we will not change the agreed price except where a change is permitted by these Booking Conditions or separately agreed with you.
Travel times, accommodation, room configurations, transport arrangements, activity providers and other operational details may occasionally change. We will use reasonable efforts to provide the advertised experience and, where necessary, make a suitable alternative arrangement.
5. Payments
A deposit or other initial payment may be required to secure your booking. Unless otherwise stated for the specific product, deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
The remaining balance must be paid by the date stated in your booking confirmation, normally no later than 90 days before departure.
If the balance is not received by the due date, we may treat the booking as cancelled by you and apply the cancellation charges set out below.
Where permitted by law and agreed at the time of booking, payment may be made by credit card, debit card or another payment method offered by Worthwhile.
6. Financial and Payment Protection
Worthwhile is an independent travel company. The payment method you use may provide certain rights or protections, depending on the payment method, card provider and circumstances of the transaction. You should check directly with your card issuer or payment provider if you wish to understand the protection available to you.
Nothing in these Booking Conditions removes or limits any rights you have that cannot lawfully be removed or limited.
7. Worthwhile Arrival
Worthwhile Arrival is designed to provide support when a traveller first arrives at a destination. The precise arrival arrangements will be stated on the product page or in your pre-departure information.
Depending on the destination and operational arrangements, you may:
be met at the airport by a Worthwhile representative or local representative;
be transported to your accommodation by taxi, private car, shared vehicle or another local transport provider;
travel separately from other Worthwhile travellers rather than as part of a group transfer;
be directed to use local public transport, a taxi or another suitable transport option where a private or shared transfer is not provided.
Where a shared arrival transfer is being operated, you may have to wait at the airport for other arriving travellers before travelling to the first accommodation. This waiting period may be up to three hours after your arrival, depending on the arrival times of other travellers and local operational circumstances.
You must provide accurate arrival and flight information by the deadline given to you. If you provide incorrect or incomplete information, change your flight without telling us, miss an agreed meeting point, or otherwise fail to follow the arrival instructions provided, additional transport or accommodation costs may be payable by you.
Unless expressly stated as included in your product, Worthwhile Arrival does not include transport from your accommodation to the airport at the end of your stay.
8. Tours and Itinerary Changes
Our tours are designed around the published itinerary, but travel conditions and local operations can change. We may alter the order, timing or location of activities, accommodation or transport where reasonably necessary.
Changes may be required because of weather, local conditions, supplier availability, safety considerations, transport disruption, closures, operational requirements or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Where a material change is required, we will communicate it to you and will seek to provide an appropriate alternative where reasonably practicable.
9. Destination Management Companies and Other Suppliers
We use independent third-party destination management companies and other suppliers to deliver elements of our trips. These suppliers may arrange accommodation, transportation, guides, activities, excursions, meals and other services.
We select suppliers based on our commercial and operational requirements, but local services are subject to the conditions, availability and operating practices of the relevant supplier.
A supplier may be replaced where reasonably necessary, including where this is required for operational, safety or availability reasons. We will seek to maintain a comparable standard of service where reasonably practicable.
Where supplier terms apply to a particular service, you agree to comply with reasonable instructions and conditions imposed by that supplier.
10. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is Mandatory.
Your insurance should be appropriate for the destination and activities involved and should include, where relevant, cancellation, medical expenses, emergency assistance, repatriation, baggage and adventure or sporting activities.
You are responsible for checking that your policy is suitable for the trip you have booked.
11. Passports, Visas, Entry and Health Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that you have a valid passport and meet all passport, visa, immigration, entry, vaccination and other health requirements applicable to your trip.
Requirements can change. You should check the current requirements for your nationality and destination before travelling.
Worthwhile is not responsible for costs or losses arising because you do not have the correct documentation, permission or entry requirements.
12. Fitness, Activities and Personal Responsibility
Some Worthwhile experiences involve walking, running, swimming, paddle, cycling, hiking, adventure activities, water-based activities or other physical activity.
You are responsible for assessing whether the activities are appropriate for you.
You must tell us before departure about any relevant requirement that may materially affect your ability to participate safely. We will handle such information appropriately and seek reasonable solutions where possible.
Some activities may require separate waivers, declarations or health and safety procedures imposed by the local supplier.
13. Behaviour and Conduct
We want our trips to be safe, social and enjoyable for everyone. You must behave respectfully towards other travellers, Worthwhile representatives, local people and suppliers.
We may take reasonable action, including requiring a traveller to leave a trip, where their behaviour is threatening, abusive, discriminatory, unlawful, seriously disruptive, puts themselves or others at risk, damages property, or materially affects the experience or safety of the group.
Where a traveller is required to leave because of their conduct, no refund will be provided and any additional costs of leaving the trip are the traveller’s responsibility.
14. Changes Requested by You
Requests to change a booking are subject to availability and the terms of the relevant suppliers.
We may charge an administration fee of £90.00 and any additional costs imposed by suppliers. Changes requested close to departure may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking.
A change is not confirmed until we have confirmed it in writing.
15. Transfer of a Booking
A request to transfer a booking to another person is subject to our approval, availability, supplier conditions and any applicable costs.
The replacement traveller must meet all applicable eligibility requirements and agree to these Booking Conditions. Any outstanding balance, administration charge or supplier cost must be paid before the transfer is confirmed.
Some products or suppliers may not permit transfers.
16. Cancellation by You
If you cancel your booking, you must notify us in writing. Cancellation takes effect when we receive your written cancellation.
Unless different cancellation terms are stated on the specific product page or booking confirmation, the following charges apply:
More than 120 days before departure: loss of the deposit;
120–61 days before departure: 50% of the total booking price;
60–31 days before departure: 75% of the total booking price;
30 days or less before departure: 100% of the total booking price.
These cancellation charges reflect the financial commitments Worthwhile may make in advance of departure to destination management companies, accommodation providers, activity operators, transport providers, guides and other suppliers, together with the administrative and operational costs associated with cancelling and replacing a booking. Because supplier commitments can be made well before departure, significant cancellation costs may arise even where cancellation occurs a considerable time before travel.
Some products may have different cancellation terms because of supplier commitments or special arrangements. Where different terms apply, they will be shown before you complete the booking.
We strongly recommend appropriate cancellation insurance.
17. Cancellation or Changes by Worthwhile
We aim to operate all trips as advertised, but occasionally changes are necessary. We may change accommodation, activities, transport arrangements, guides, suppliers, timings or the order of the itinerary where reasonably necessary.
If we need to make a significant change or cancel a trip before departure, we will contact you as soon as reasonably practicable and explain the options available to you.
We will not be responsible for additional costs you incur independently, such as separate flights, accommodation, transfers or other arrangements that you have booked outside your Worthwhile booking.
You are strongly advised to have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, personal accident, cancellation, disruption, personal belongings, emergency assistance and repatriation.
If such an event occurs, Worthwhile will provide reasonable assistance where appropriate and will work with the relevant local supplier, authorities and emergency services where necessary. Any additional costs arising from the event which are not included in your booking remain your responsibility unless otherwise agreed or covered by your travel insurance.
For example, if a vehicle used during a Worthwhile trip is attacked, robbed or held up by criminals or other third parties, Worthwhile will not be responsible for the consequences of that criminal act where Worthwhile did not cause or contribute to the incident.
This includes incidents involving transport, accommodation, excursions, activities, public areas or other services provided by independent third parties.
Where an incident, accident, crime, attack or other event occurs as a result of the acts or omissions of a third party and Worthwhile has not caused or contributed to that event through its own negligence or failure to take reasonable care, Worthwhile will not be responsible for the resulting injury, loss, distress, disruption, delay, additional expense or other consequences, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
• any other event or circumstance which is beyond our reasonable control.
• power, telecommunications or infrastructure failures; and
• failure, closure or interruption of services provided by independent third-party suppliers;
• accidents, road closures or other unforeseen transport incidents;
• airport, airline, road, rail, ferry or other transport disruption;
• government action, restrictions, border closures or changes to entry requirements;
• strikes, industrial action or other labour disputes;
• epidemics or serious outbreaks of disease;
• natural disasters, earthquakes, volcanic activity, flooding, fires or extreme weather;
• civil unrest, riots, demonstrations or political instability;
• war, armed conflict or military action;
• armed robbery, hijacking, kidnapping or other criminal activity by third parties;
• terrorism, attempted terrorism or threats of terrorism;
These may include, without limitation:
Worthwhile cannot accept responsibility for circumstances or events which are outside our reasonable control and which we could not reasonably have prevented, anticipated or avoided.
18. Events Outside Our Reasonable Control
If you arrange your own accommodation, transfers, visas, travel insurance or other services separately from Worthwhile, those arrangements are also your responsibility.
Worthwhile does not arrange or provide flights and does not accept responsibility for independently booked air travel.
You should allow sufficient time between your independently arranged flight and the start or end of your Worthwhile booking. We strongly recommend that you do not book flights which require you to arrive immediately before the start of your trip or depart immediately after it ends.
Worthwhile is not responsible for the cost of flights, missed flights, flight delays, cancellations, schedule changes, diversions, missed connections or other disruption affecting independently arranged air travel. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you remain responsible for making alternative arrangements and for any additional costs incurred as a result.
If you change your flight after providing your details, you must notify Worthwhile immediately. Any additional costs arising from a change to your independently booked flight, including additional transfer, accommodation, transport or other costs, are your responsibility.
You must provide Worthwhile with your confirmed flight details no later than 14 days before your scheduled arrival. This must include your airline, flight number, arrival date, arrival time and arrival airport. If your Worthwhile booking includes an arrival service, we may be unable to provide the service if you fail to provide accurate flight details within this timeframe.
You must ensure that your flight arrangements allow you to arrive at the destination at the required time and location for the start of your Worthwhile booking and to depart at the appropriate time following the end of your trip.
Flights are not included in any Worthwhile booking unless we expressly state otherwise in writing. You are responsible for researching, selecting and booking your own flights to and from the destination.
19. Flights and Independent Travel Arrangements
Flights are not included.
If you arrange your own flights, accommodation, transfers, visas, travel insurance or other services separately from Worthwhile, those arrangements are your responsibility.
You should allow sufficient time between independently arranged travel and the start or end of your Worthwhile trip. We are not responsible for additional costs arising from independently booked arrangements that are delayed, cancelled or missed.
20. Optional Activities and Experiences
Some activities shown on our website or discussed during a trip may be optional and may carry an additional cost.
Optional activities provided by third-party operators may require you to accept their own terms, safety requirements or waivers.
If an activity is not included in your booking, you are responsible for paying the relevant supplier directly or through the booking process specified.
21. Accommodation and Rooming
Accommodation standards and room configurations vary between destinations. Accommodation descriptions are intended to give a fair indication of the style and standard of the property.
Room allocation, bed configuration, shared-room arrangements and single supplements will be stated on the relevant product information where applicable.
If you choose or are allocated shared accommodation, you agree to share with another traveller or travellers of the applicable room type.
Any costs incurred by Worthwhile or our suppliers as a result of your early departure, failure to participate or failure to use booked services may be charged to you where permitted.
If you are unable to continue your trip because of illness, injury, personal circumstances or any other reason, no refund will be provided for the unused services, and you should contact Worthwhile or your local representative as soon as possible so that we can provide reasonable assistance where appropriate.
If you leave a trip early for any reason, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your own onward travel, accommodation, meals, transfers and any other associated costs.
If you arrive late, fail to attend an included activity, choose not to participate in part of the itinerary, leave the trip early or otherwise decide not to use any part of your booking, no refund, credit or compensation will be provided for the unused portion of the booking.
No refund will be given for any services, accommodation, meals, activities, transfers, excursions or other arrangements included in your booking that you do not use, whether in whole or in part, for any reason.
22. Unused Services and Early Departure
No refund will be given for services, accommodation, meals, activities or other arrangements that you choose not to use after your trip has started.
If you leave a trip early for personal reasons, you are responsible for your own onward travel and accommodation unless otherwise agreed.
If you are unable to continue for reasons outside your control, contact Worthwhile or your local representative as soon as possible so that we can provide reasonable assistance.
23. Complaints
If something goes wrong during your trip, please tell the Worthwhile representative, local guide or supplier as soon as reasonably possible. Prompt notification gives us the best opportunity to investigate and put matters right while you are travelling.
If you remain dissatisfied, you should submit your complaint to us in writing as soon as reasonably practicable after returning home, normally within 28 days.
We will investigate complaints fairly and respond within a reasonable period.
24. Our Responsibility and Liability
We will provide the services included in your confirmed booking with reasonable care and skill, subject to the limitations and exclusions set out in these Booking Conditions.
Many elements of your trip are provided by independent third-party suppliers, including accommodation providers, hotels, hostels, destination management companies, transport providers, guides, activity operators, restaurants and other local businesses. Those suppliers are responsible for the operation, condition, maintenance, management and safety of the services and premises they provide.
In particular, where an injury, loss or damage arises from the condition, maintenance, construction, repair, equipment, premises, staff or operation of an accommodation property or other third-party facility, you should report the matter immediately to the relevant property or supplier and, where appropriate, pursue the matter directly with that supplier and/or your travel insurer.
Worthwhile is not responsible for loss, injury or damage caused solely by the negligence, acts or omissions, unsafe condition, defective maintenance, construction or operation of an independent third-party supplier or property, except to the extent that Worthwhile is legally responsible for that loss, injury or damage.
Nothing in these Booking Conditions excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
Subject to the above, we will not be responsible for loss that is not reasonably foreseeable, indirect or consequential loss, loss of earnings, loss of business, loss of opportunity or similar economic loss, except where applicable law provides otherwise.
Where you have suffered loss as a result of a failure for which Worthwhile is legally responsible, our liability will be limited to the amount paid to us for the affected booking or affected travel service, except where a different limit is required by law.
You must take reasonable care for your own safety and comply with reasonable instructions, safety information, warnings and directions given by Worthwhile, the relevant supplier or local representative. Your failure to do so may affect our responsibility to you to the extent permitted by law.
You remain responsible for making any claims arising from lost, stolen or damaged belongings through your travel insurance, the relevant accommodation provider, transport provider or other responsible third party, subject to any rights you may have under applicable law.
You are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering loss, theft or damage to personal belongings and valuables.
You are solely responsible for the security and safekeeping of your personal belongings and should take appropriate precautions at all times.
Worthwhile Journeys Ltd accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft, destruction or damage of your personal belongings at any time during your trip. This includes, but is not limited to, passports, money, cash, bank cards, luggage, clothing, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, electronic devices, jewellery and other valuables.
Nothing in this section removes any rights you may have under applicable data protection or other mandatory law.
26. Photography, Video and Content
You confirm that any content you upload or supply to Worthwhile is content that you have the right to provide and that granting the rights described above will not knowingly infringe another person's copyright, privacy, image rights or other rights. You remain responsible for obtaining any permission required from other people appearing in content you submit.
You must not photograph, film, upload or distribute identifiable images, video, personal information or private material relating to another traveller in a way that invades their privacy or breaches applicable law. If another traveller asks you not to share identifiable content featuring them, you should respect that request.
If you do not notify us in writing before joining the tour, you acknowledge that photography and filming may take place and that your image may appear in general group, social or promotional content captured during the trip, subject to applicable law. We will not knowingly use your image in a misleading or defamatory manner.
If you do not want your identifiable image, likeness or voice to be used by Worthwhile for promotional or marketing purposes, you must tell us in writing before you join the tour. You should contact us at info@worthwhilejourneys.co.uk and clearly state that you do not consent to your identifiable image, likeness or voice being used for Worthwhile marketing.
This permission continues after your trip and after your relationship with Worthwhile has ended. Worthwhile may continue to use content that has already been supplied, published or incorporated into marketing or other materials, and is not required to remove previously published material solely because you subsequently stop travelling with Worthwhile.
Where you voluntarily upload or submit photographs, video or other content to Worthwhile, you grant Worthwhile a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable and sub-licensable right to use, reproduce, edit, adapt, publish, display, distribute and otherwise exploit that content in any media or format, whether existing now or developed in the future. To the extent legally possible, you assign to Worthwhile all transferable rights you own in content specifically created and supplied by you for Worthwhile, subject always to the rights of any other person appearing in or owning the content.
By booking and joining a Worthwhile trip, you acknowledge that you may be photographed or filmed as part of the normal operation and social experience of the trip and that you may be invited to join our 'Photo Circle' or similar traveller-content community. You agree that content voluntarily uploaded, submitted or supplied by you to Worthwhile, or specifically created and supplied by you for Worthwhile, may be used by Worthwhile for its business, marketing, advertising, social media, website, editorial, promotional and other commercial purposes.
Worthwhile is a social and content-led travel company. Photography and video form an important part of the Worthwhile experience and our marketing. During your trip, Worthwhile, our representatives, hosts, content creators and other authorised contributors may take photographs, video and other content featuring you and the trip.
25. Personal Belongings
You remain responsible for making any claims arising from lost, stolen or damaged belongings through your travel insurance, the relevant accommodation provider, transport provider or other responsible third party, subject to any rights you may have under applicable law.
You are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering loss, theft or damage to personal belongings and valuables.
You are solely responsible for the security and safekeeping of your personal belongings and should take appropriate precautions at all times.
Worthwhile Journeys Ltd accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft, destruction or damage of your personal belongings at any time during your trip. This includes, but is not limited to, passports, money, cash, bank cards, luggage, clothing, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, electronic devices, jewellery and other valuables.
27. Personal Information
We process personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
We may need to share relevant information with destination management companies, accommodation providers, transport providers, guides, activity operators, emergency assistance providers and other suppliers where necessary to deliver your booking.
28. Assistance During Travel
If you experience a problem during your trip, contact the Worthwhile representative, local supplier or support contact provided in your pre-departure information as soon as possible.
We will provide reasonable assistance in appropriate circumstances, but you remain responsible for your own personal decisions, expenses and arrangements where these are not included in your booking.
29. Age and Eligibility
Worthwhile Journeys products may have specific age ranges or eligibility requirements. These will be stated on the relevant product page and booking information.
Worthwhile Escapes products are designed for the customer group described for each product. You must meet the stated eligibility requirements to travel.
30. Website and Product Information
We take care to ensure that information on our website is accurate when published. Travel information, photographs, maps, accommodation, activities, opening hours and local conditions can change.
Website photographs may be representative and may not always show the exact room, vehicle, activity or location used on your particular departure.
31. Changes to these Booking Conditions
We may update these Booking Conditions from time to time. The version applying to your booking will be the version provided or made available to you when you book, unless a later change is required by law.
32. Severability
If any provision of these Booking Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
33. Entire Agreement
These Booking Conditions, together with your booking confirmation and any specific written terms supplied for your product, form the agreement between you and Worthwhile in relation to your booking.
34. Governing Law
These Booking Conditions and your contract with Worthwhile are governed by the law of England and Wales, unless applicable law requires otherwise. The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights you may have to bring proceedings elsewhere.
35. Contact Details
Worthwhile Journeys Ltd
Registered address: First Floor, Howfen House, 7 School Street, Greater Manchester BL5 2BG
Company number: 17328737
Email: info@worthwhilejourneys.co.uk
Website: Worthwhilejourneys.co.uk