TheHoteliers.org ("we," "us," or "our") operates a digital platform dedicated to sharing remarkable hotel stories, owner journeys, and hospitality innovations. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information.

This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors, users, and contributors to our website, including those who submit stories, subscribe to newsletters, or engage with our content.

Personal Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Submit hotel stories or content
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Contact us through forms or email
• Create user accounts (if applicable)
• Participate in surveys or feedback requests

This may include:

• Name and contact information (email, phone)
• Professional information (role, hotel/company name)
• Story content, images, and supporting materials
• Communication preferences

Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:

• IP address and general location information
• Browser type and version
• Device information (mobile, desktop, etc.)
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referral sources (how you found our site)
• Search queries within our site

Third-Party Information

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, such as social media platforms or hotel booking sites, only when you explicitly connect those services to our platform or provide consent for such data sharing.

Primary Purposes

We use your information to:

• Publish and promote submitted hotel stories (with your consent)
• Communicate with you about your submissions and account
• Send newsletters and updates (only if you subscribe)
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Improve our website and user experience

Analytics and Improvement

We analyze usage patterns to:

• Understand which content resonates with our audience
• Optimize website performance and navigation
• Identify and fix technical issues
• Develop new features and content categories

Marketing Communications

We may send you marketing communications only if you have explicitly consented to receive them. You can unsubscribe at any time using the links provided in our emails or by contacting us directly.

Legal Compliance

We may use your information when required to:

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Respond to legal requests or court orders
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or abuse of our services

We Do Not Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

Limited Sharing Circumstances

We may share your information only in these specific situations:

Service Providers

We work with trusted service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Web hosting and cloud storage providers
• Email marketing platforms (for newsletter delivery)
• Analytics services (Google Analytics, etc.)
• Content delivery networks (CDNs)

These providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

Content Publication

When you submit stories for publication, we may share:

• Your name and professional title (as credited author)
• Hotel/company affiliation (if relevant to the story)
• Story content and accompanying images

We will always obtain your explicit consent before publishing personal information.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the same privacy protections.

Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure servers with regular security updates
• Access controls and authentication systems
• Regular security audits and monitoring
• Employee training on data protection practices

Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary:

• Active accounts: Until account deletion or deactivation
• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Story submissions: Indefinitely for published content (with your consent)
• Analytics data: Aggregated data may be retained for historical analysis

Data Breaches

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within 72 hours, as required by applicable data protection laws.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for basic website functionality:

• Session management
• Security features
• Load balancing

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use our site:

• Google Analytics (anonymized IP addresses)
• Page view tracking
• User behavior analysis

Preference Cookies

Remember your choices and settings:

• Language preferences
• Newsletter subscription status
• Content personalization

Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies
• Block all or specific cookies
• Set preferences for cookie acceptance

Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access and Portability

• Request a copy of your personal information
• Receive your data in a portable format
• Learn how your information is being used

Correction and Updates

• Correct inaccurate personal information
• Update your contact preferences
• Modify published story attributions

Deletion and Erasure

• Request deletion of your personal information
• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Object to certain uses of your information

Communication Preferences

You can manage your communication preferences:

• Unsubscribe from newsletters at any time
• Opt out of promotional communications
• Choose specific types of updates to receive

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@thehoteliers.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

GDPR Compliance (European Users)

For users in the European Economic Area, we comply with GDPR requirements:

• Lawful basis for processing personal data
• Enhanced consent mechanisms
• Data protection impact assessments
• Appointment of Data Protection Officer (when required)

CCPA Compliance (California Residents)

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to request deletion of personal information
• Right to opt out of sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

Data Transfers

If you are located outside the United States, please note that we may transfer your information to the US for processing. We implement appropriate safeguards for international transfers.

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at support@thehoteliers.com.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you via email if you are a registered user
• Display a prominent notice on our website
• For significant changes, obtain your explicit consent where required

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

For data protection inquiries from EU residents, you may also contact your local data protection authority.