General Terms and Conditions

These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all transactions made with us. Please read them carefully.
A Request to Book on the website will not be processed or accepted without your acknowledgement that you have read and understood the GTC below. In particular, please read our cancellation and refund policy and the requirment for travel insurance. Translations of this GTC are presented as a courtesy. If there is a discrepancy, only the English version is valid.

The following GTC together with our privacy policy and our website conditions of use, together with any other written information we brought to your attention before we sent an invoice or collected the amount charged as confirmation of the transaction within the scope of the Black Sea Sustainable Rural Tourism Program (“BSST”) and govern your contract with Sustainable Rural Development International Limited, a company limited by guaranty registered in England with company no: 8148076 and registered office address of 5 St. Johns Lane, London, England, EC1B 4BH, (“we” “us” and “our”).

Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. References to "you" and "your" in these GTC mean all persons named on the Request to Book (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date) or any of them.

Note the important information about cancellations: Any cancellation made three (3) days or less from the date of arrival is subject to a 100% cancellation penalty. At any time between four (4) and seven (7) days from the date of arrival, you will be charged a cancellation penalty of 50%. Cancellations made eleven (11) days or longer prior to the arrival date will not incur a penalty. However, regardless of the reason for cancellation by you, the SRDI fees (14%), the Community Fund contribution (5%) and any bank charges whether incurred by you or us are non-refundable. The cancellation date is considered the date we receive notice of cancellation.

The basis of the BSST Program incorporates a “Get to Know the Community” experience that includes a home or small hotel stay. References to “Travel Arrangement(s)” in this GTC are to a booking the Get to Know the Community experience but do not constitute a Package Holiday. Travel Arrangements may also include, upon your specific request, transport, activities, excursions and other services we may display on our website (“Other Arrangements”). In regard to Other Arrangements, we may or may not accept an additional payment from you as a convenience and all of which will be transferred to the provider of the Other Arrangements.

The BSST Program is a community-based social venture. In other words, our direct involvement is with a designated community organization which is also responsible for its members, which includes businesses and accommodations that appear on the website. Nevertheless, we have a standard written agreement that communities must sign to confirm their adherence to certain sustainability criteria and rules of business behaviour.

You understand that your Request to Book covers a minimum of 2 nights even though a nightly price may be shown. You may always request more than the minimum of 2 nights. At this time, you are only charged for the accommodation and Get to Know the Community experience. Other activities are paid for on arrival.
By submitting a Request to Book, the first-named person agrees on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that he/she:

• has read these GTC and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
• consents to our use of personal data in accordance with our privacy policy and is authorised on behalf of all persons named on the Request to Book form to disclose their personal details to us, including where applicable, special categories of data (such as information on health conditions or disabilities and dietary requirements);
• is over 18 years of age and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services;
• accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking form.

Please Note: We are non-profit and act only as an agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. At this time we do not create a “Package Holiday”, in accordance with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (please see clause 2 below for further information).

1. Your Contract
   When making your Request to Book we will arrange with the applicable Supplier/Principal of the Travel Arrangements (we commonly refer to them as ‘hosts’), as specified on your confirmation invoice. Your booking with us is subject to these GTCs and specific terms and conditions, such as cancellation fees, rules of the accommodation as shown on the website and of the relevant Supplier/Principal(s). Your booking is confirmed and a contract between you, us and the Supplier/Principal will exist when we send you an invoice confirmation on their behalf and you pay such invoice or if your credit (or debit) card is charged. To protect both you and the Supplier/Principal we will not transfer funds paid by you until three (3) days prior to your arrival. As an agent we accept no responsibility for the acts or omissions of the Supplier/Principal or for the Travel Arrangements provided by the Supplier/Principal; nevertheless, we will assist either you or the Supplier/Principal as the case may be in resolving any issue or dispute. Supplier/Principals are subject to an agreement with SRDI that requires they follow the sustainable travel criteria we set forth and willful failure to adhere to those criteria and our rules of business behavior may result in their removal from the website. You may request from us a copy of the criteria and/or our rules of business behavior at any time.
2. Booking
   When you submit a Request to Book on our website, you will have the opportunity to review all the details of the booking before making payment. You will be transferred to our third-party processor site to complete the necessary billing information. Our third-party processor will immediately charge your card (sometimes called a "block") but will not collect the charge until authorised by SRDI. The amount will be collected upon confirmation of the booking, usually within 48 hours. You understand and agree that in the event you submit a Request to Book within 4 days or less of your arrival that we may immediately charge and capture the amount of the booking. We do not guaranty that any Request to Book received 3 days or less before arrival will be accepted or processed. Please check that all names, dates, and timings are correct on receipt of all documents and advise us of any errors immediately. Please ensure that the names given are the same as in the relevant passport. The information that you provide to us will be passed on only to the relevant Supplier/Principal of your Travel Arrangements or other persons necessary for the provision of your Travel Arrangements. The information may be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This applies to any special category (sensitive) information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary and religious requirements. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. Please click here for full details of our privacy policy.
3. Payment
   Our third-party processor will immediately charge your card for the amount covered by the booking but will not collect those charges until confirmation of the booking from us, usually within 48 hours. Notwithstanding, if the amount is not collected because of the unavailability of the booking or any other reason, your card will be released no later than 7 days. At any time if VAT is required, that amount will be added to your invoice. Following payment, you will be subject to our cancellation fees. Any cancellation made three (3) days or less from the date of arrival is subject to a 100% cancellation penalty. At any time between four (4) and seven (7) days from the date of arrival, you will be charged a cancellation penalty of 50%. Cancellations made eleven (11) days or longer prior to the arrival date will not incur a penalty. However, regardless of the reason for cancellation by you, the SRDI fees (14%), the Community Fund contribution (5%) and any bank charges whether incurred by you or us are non-refundable. The cancellation date is considered the date we receive notice of cancellation. If for any reason the Supplier/Principal notifies us that they will be cancelling the confirmed booking, we will return the full amount invoiced to you less bank charges. Except where otherwise advised or stated, all monies you pay to us for Travel Arrangements will be held by us on behalf of the Supplier/Principal concerned until we make payment to the Supplier/Principal.
4. Accuracy
   We endeavour to ensure that all the information and prices both on our website and in any advertising material that we publish are accurate; however, occasionally changes and errors occur and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must check the current price and all other details relating to the Travel Arrangements that you wish to book before you submit your Request to Book.
5. Prices
   We reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. We operate under a Fair Trade policy to assure communities receive their actual costs plus profit.
6. Insurance
   You are required to take out travel insurance as a condition of booking on our website and upon booking you are confirming that you have or will have, travel insurance during your entire stay. Your policy of insurance should cover you and your party against the cost of cancellation by you, which at a minimum is the SRDI Fee and Community Fund contribution; the cost of assistance (including repatriation) in the event of accident or illness; loss of baggage and money; and other expenses, as well as ensuring you have cover for any activities you have requested, including additional cover for extreme sports/adventure travel and all other activities you have requested. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, neither we nor the Supplier/Principal will be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
7. Special Requests
   Any special requests must be advised to us at the time of booking (e.g. diet, allergies, mobility, etc.) You should confirm your requests in writing and when possible, make all requests or submit questions to us before submitting a Request to Book. We will pass your request on to the Supplier/Principal but we cannot guarantee that they will be fulfilled. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the Supplier/Principal is not confirmation that the request will be met.
8. Fitness to Travel and Medical
   One of our criteria in communities and accommodations is the provision for accessibility. However, our communities are rural in nature with small municipal budgets and our accommodation owners are usually offering their private homes and we cannot guaranty accessibility, particularly for treks or other physical activity, but we will do our utmost to cater to any special requirements you may have. If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your trip, please provide us with full details before you submit a Request to Book so that we can try to advise you as to the suitability of your chosen Travel Arrangements. We may require you to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that you are fit to participate.
   Acting reasonably, if the Supplier/Principal is unable to properly accommodate the needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm your booking on the Supplier/Principal’s behalf or, if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will inform the Supplier/Principal who may cancel it and impose applicable cancellation charges, when we become aware of these details.
9. Changes and Cancellations by You
   Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us in writing, by email, and will take effect at the time we receive it. Charges may apply. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your booking prior to travel. Whilst we will try to assist, we cannot guarantee that the Supplier/Principal will meet such requests. Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Supplier/Principal. The Supplier/Principal may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Travel Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure).
   Please note that any cancellation prior to three (3) days for arrival will result in a cancellation charge as stated above including the SRDI Fee and the Community Fund contribution, plus bank charges. We do this because we will have already expended time and funds to that point and the Community Fund will suffer from any loss of revenue.
10. Changes and Cancellations by the Supplier/Principal
    We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Supplier/Principal needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Travel Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Supplier/Principal in relation to any alternative travel arrangements offered by the Supplier/Principal but we will have no further liability to you. Nevertheless, we will endeavour to find an alternative for you to the best of our abilities and notify you as soon as possible at least 3 days prior to your trip.
11. Complaints
    Any queries or concerns about your Travel Arrangements should be addressed to us in the first instance and if they involve any actions that we may undertake we will assist and simultaneously advise the Supplier/Principal. If you have a problem with your Travel Arrangements whilst using them, this must be reported to the Supplier/Principal immediately. The Supplier/Principal also is obligated to notify our community representatives simultaneously. If you fail to follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Supplier/Principal to investigate and rectify your complaint. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to may, therefore, be reduced or extinguished as a result. If you wish to complain when you return home, please write to us. If you remain unsatisfied, you can inform us, via the contact form on the website as soon as possible and, in any event, within 28 days of your return whereby we will endeavour to assist in our capacity as an agent by liaising with the Supplier/Principal on your behalf. You can also access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means of registering your complaint with us; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved.
12. Our Responsibility for your Booking
    As an agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Travel Arrangements. Our responsibilities are limited to making the booking in accordance with your instructions. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Travel Arrangements that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of the SRDI Fee we earn on your booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our direct negligence whilst acting in the course of their employment.
13. Force Majeure
    Except where otherwise expressly stated in this GTC we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “Force Majeure”. For the purposes of this GTC, Force Majeure means any event beyond our or our supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and the threat thereof), civil strife, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, labour strikes, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, unavoidable technical problems with transport and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) concerned control.
    Brexit Implications: please note that certain Travel Arrangements may be affected as a result of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. This could include an unavailability of certain flight routes, access to certain ports and airports, and changes to the visa requirements of British citizens traveling to, within, or through the EU. Please rest assured that this is something we will continue to monitor and will advise our customers as soon as possible if we become aware of any confirmed bookings that will be affected. However, since this is something which is completely unprecedented and outside our control, we would treat any such changes as Force Majeure, and whilst we will endeavour to provide suitable alternative arrangements or refunds where possible, we will not be liable to pay you any compensation.
14. Visa, Passport and Health Requirements
    It is your responsibility to check and fulfill the passport, visa, health, and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We can only provide general information about this. You must check requirements for your own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates and your own doctor as applicable. Requirements do change and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure.
    Most countries now require passports to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements, or health formalities.
15. Law and Jurisdiction
    These GTC are governed by English law and we both agree that the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute, claim or other matter which may arise between us (unless you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, in which case you can bring proceedings in your local court under Scottish or Northern Irish law, as applicable).
16. Standards
    The BSST Program has established basic criteria and standards based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. All information is as provided by the relevant Supplier/Principal which we do our best to verify. These are intended to give a guide to the services and facilities you should expect from your accommodation. Furthermore, some Supplier/Principals may provide information on the difficulty, fitness, and skill requirements for your chosen Travel Arrangements. This information is intended as a guide only and you must satisfy yourself that you are capable of participating in your chosen Travel Arrangements. Standards may vary between countries, communities as well as between suppliers. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any standards given.
17. Documentation & Information
    All descriptions and content on our website or otherwise issued by us is done so on behalf of the Supplier/Principal in question are intended to present a general idea of the services provided by the Supplier/Principal. To the extent practicable, we verify the information. Not all details of the relevant services can be included on our website. All services shown are subject to availability. If you require any further details, in respect of any Travel Arrangements or any other services please contact us.
18. Foreign Office Advice
    You are responsible for making yourself aware of Foreign Office advice in regard to the safety of the countries and areas in which you will be traveling and to make your decisions accordingly. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure (see clause 13).
19. Your Behaviour
    You are a guest at the destination. You are expected to conduct yourself in an orderly, responsible and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of others. We follow principles of responsible travel and you should be aware of any cultural, religious or social requirements. In other words, you are expected to be respectful of the people, destination, environment, cultural and business practices. If in the Supplier/Principal’s opinion or in the opinion of any other person in authority, your behaviour or that of any member of your party is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other customers or any third party, or damage to property or the environment, or to cause a delay or diversion to transportation, the Supplier/Principal reserves the right to terminate your booking immediately with no further liability to you. You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and you and each member of your party will be jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the Supplier/Principal prior to departure. If you fail to make the payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us because of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you.
    We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.