Travel agency purchase and return policies in Colombia vary depending on the agency and the type of product or service purchased. However, there are some general conditions that are common to most agencies:
Shopping:
- Payment Method: Travel agencies typically accept different forms of payment, such as cash, credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and consignments.
- Booking & Confirmation: Once the customer has chosen the product or service they wish to purchase, the travel agency will send them a written reservation or confirmation, which will include travel information, price, payment terms, and cancellation policies.
- Guarantee: Travel agencies are obliged to ensure that the services they offer are of the quality and characteristics described in the information provided to the client.
Returns:
- Right of withdrawal: In Colombia, consumers have the right to withdraw from a purchase made outside the commercial establishment within 5 business days of the date of purchase. This right does not apply to products or services that have been personalized or that are digital in nature.
- Cancellations and changes: Travel agency cancellation and change policies vary depending on the product or service purchased. In general, agencies charge penalties for cancellations or changes made shortly before the date of travel.
- Refunds: In the event of cancellation or change of a trip, the travel agency shall reimburse the customer for the value of the product or service, in accordance with the applicable cancellation and change policies.
Recommendations:
- Before buying a product or service from a travel agency, it is important to carefully read the general terms and conditions of purchase, including payment, cancellation and return policies.
- It is advisable to ask the travel agency for detailed information about the product or service you wish to purchase, including the characteristics of the trip, the price, the payment terms and the cancellation policies.
- It is advisable to ask the travel agency for detailed information about the product or service you wish to purchase, including the characteristics of the trip, the price, the payment terms and the cancellation policies.
General Policies:
- Pricing Policy: This policy should establish the criteria for pricing the tourism products and services offered by the company.
- Reservation & Cancellation Policy: This policy should set out the procedures for making reservations, payment terms, cancellation policies, and refunds.
- Liability Policy: This policy must establish the company’s liability for any damages that customers may suffer during the provision of tourist services.
- Personal Data Protection Policy: This policy should set out the measures the company will take to protect the personal data of its customers.
Specific Policies:
- Sustainable Tourism Policy: This policy should establish the company’s commitment to the environmental and social sustainability of tourism.
- Inclusive Tourism Policy: This policy should establish the company’s commitment to the accessibility of tourism for people with disabilities.
- Cultural Tourism Policy: This policy should establish the company’s commitment to the promotion of Colombian cultural heritage.
- Adventure Tourism Policy: This policy should establish the safety requirements and procedures for conducting adventure tourism activities.
Recommendations:
- It’s important that company policies are clear, concise, and available to customers.
- The company’s policies must be in line with Colombian tourism legislation.
- It is recommended that the company consult with an attorney for the elaboration of its policies.