Privacy Matters

Privacy Policy

Apostolic Pilgrimages and Tours is committed to respecting your privacy and safeguarding any personal information you share with us. We take our responsibilities seriously and aim to be clear and transparent about how personal data is collected, used, and protected. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information and the steps we take to ensure it is treated lawfully, fairly, and securely.

Who We Are and What This Policy Covers

For the purposes of data protection law, Apostolic Pilgrimages and Tours is the data controller responsible for your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains:

• What personal data we collect and why

• How and when personal data may be shared

• How long we retain personal data

• Your rights in relation to your personal information

We encourage you to read this policy carefully so that you understand how your data is handled.

Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal information when you make an enquiry, register with us, book a pilgrimage, or otherwise interact with our services. This may include your name, contact details (such as postal address, email address, and telephone number), date of birth, and payment information. Where accounts are created, login credentials may also be collected.

When arranging travel, we may collect additional information necessary to fulfil your booking, including passport or identification details, insurance information, and any relevant medical, dietary, religious, or accessibility requirements. This information is only collected where necessary to provide our services, safely and appropriately.

We may also collect technical information when you visit our website, such as IP address, browser type, device information, and browsing behaviour, including how you interact with our website or communications.

Information from Other Sources and About Other Individuals

In some circumstances, we may receive personal data from third parties, such as insurers, service providers, or public registers, where this is necessary for the operation of a pilgrimage or to meet legal obligations. If you choose to connect with us using social media or third-party login services, limited information may be shared with us in accordance with your settings on those platforms.

Where you provide personal data about other individuals (for example, other members of your travel group), you confirm that you have their consent to do so and that you have made them aware of how their personal data will be used.

How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data to administer bookings, manage enquiries, deliver the services you request, and communicate with you about your pilgrimage. This includes processing payments, issuing confirmations, and providing essential travel information.

Personal data may also be used to improve our services, websites, and communications, to manage operational matters such as security and insurance, and to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Where appropriate, we may use data to understand customer preferences and tailor our communications, though you remain in control of your marketing preferences at all times.

Marketing and Communications

With your consent, we may send you information about pilgrimages, services, or updates that may be of interest to you. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe options provided or by contacting us directly. Even if you opt out of marketing, you may still receive essential service-related communications relating to your booking.

Market Research

From time to time, we may invite you to take part in surveys or research to help us improve our services. Participation is always voluntary, and you may decline or withdraw at any time.

Sharing Personal Data

We may share personal data with trusted third parties where necessary to deliver your pilgrimage, such as accommodation providers, transport operators, tour leaders, insurers, and IT or payment service providers. These organisations are required to protect your data and may only use it for the specific purposes agreed.

Personal data may also be disclosed where required by law, including for immigration, border control, security, or regulatory purposes. We only share the minimum amount of information necessary in such cases.

International Transfers

In some cases, personal data may be transferred outside the UK or European Economic Area in connection with international travel arrangements. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that your data remains adequately protected in accordance with data protection law.

Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure. Where passwords or login details are used, you are responsible for keeping them confidential.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy and to comply with legal and regulatory obligations. Once data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

Cookies and Website Use

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure that it functions properly, to improve performance, and to enhance your experience as a visitor. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device, remember your preferences, and understand how visitors use the site.

We use essential cookies that are necessary for the operation of the website, such as enabling page navigation, access to secure areas, and basic site functionality. Without these cookies, the website may not function correctly. We may also use performance and analytics cookies to help us understand how visitors interact with the website, such as which pages are visited most frequently and how users move through the site. This information is used in aggregated form to improve the structure, content, and usability of our website.

Where applicable, we may use functionality cookies to remember choices you make, such as language preferences or previously entered information, in order to provide a more personalised experience. Marketing or advertising cookies may be used to measure the effectiveness of communications or to display content that is more relevant to your interests; these cookies are only used where you have given the appropriate consent.

You can control or manage cookies through your browser settings, including the ability to block or delete cookies at any time. Please note that restricting certain cookies may affect the functionality and performance of the website. Further information about the cookies we use, their purpose, and how to manage your preferences is available through our Cookie Settings or by contacting us directly.

Third-Party Websites and Social Media

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or social media features. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those organisations, and you should review their policies before providing any personal data.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights, including the right to access your personal data, request correction of inaccurate information, request erasure or restriction of processing in certain circumstances, object to processing, and request data portability where applicable. Requests may be made by contacting us directly, and we may need to verify your identity before responding.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data has been handled unlawfully.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be published on our website, and where appropriate, we will take steps to notify you of significant updates. This policy replaces all previous versions.

Welcome to Apostolic Pilgrimages and Tours!