The Private Tour Guide

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 2025


The Private Tour Guide – Personalised Private Tours Across Australia

At The Private Tour Guide, your privacy is important to us. We value the trust you place in our team to craft personalised experiences, and we’re committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

1. Who We Are

The Private Tour Guide is a Melbourne-based tour operator offering premium, private tours across Victoria and beyond. We operate through our website, social media, and booking platforms, offering tailored travel experiences curated by trusted local guides.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect personal information that is necessary to provide our services and create exceptional guest experiences. This may include:

  • Full name, email address, phone number, and postal address
  • Booking and travel preferences (e.g. dietary needs, accessibility requests, group size)
  • Payment details
  • Guest feedback and reviews
  • Device/browser information, IP address, and usage data (via cookies and analytics tools)
  • Social media information if you interact with us via platforms like Facebook or Instagram

We may also collect limited sensitive information (e.g. health or dietary requirements) to tailor your tour. We only collect this with your consent and use it solely for this purpose.

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information when you:

  • Make a booking through our website or a partner platform
  • Contact us via email, phone, or social media
  • Subscribe to our newsletters or promotional communications
  • Leave a review or complete a post-tour feedback form
  • Browse our website (via cookies and analytics)

We may also receive personal information from third-party partners or booking platforms that you use to engage our services.

4. Why We Collect and Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Confirm and manage your booking
  • Tailor your tour experience based on preferences
  • Provide customer support
  • Communicate booking details, reminders, or updates
  • Send you tour-related information or special offers (you can opt out anytime)
  • Improve our website and services through analytics
  • Prevent fraud and ensure platform security

5. Direct Marketing

We may occasionally send you updates about new tours, promotions, or travel inspiration. You can opt out at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in our emails or contacting us directly.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyse website traffic. This helps us personalise your visit and improve our services. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

7. Disclosure of Your Information

We only share your information when necessary to deliver our services or where required by law. This may include:

  • Accommodation, transport, or experience providers as part of your tour
  • Payment processors (e.g. Stripe, Square)
  • Marketing and analytics providers (e.g. Google Analytics, Mailchimp)
  • Legal or regulatory authorities, when required by law

Some service providers may be located outside Australia. When we share data internationally, we ensure it’s with reputable providers who comply with similar privacy standards.

8. Security of Your Personal Information

We take reasonable steps to safeguard your personal information from misuse, interference, or loss, and from unauthorised access or disclosure. These include:

  • Secure servers and encrypted communication
  • Access restricted to authorised personnel
  • Limited retention of payment information (e.g. credit card details are deleted or hashed after use)

9. Access, Corrections & Deletion

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information
  • Ask for corrections if your details are inaccurate
  • Request deletion of your data (subject to legal or operational requirements)

To make a request, email us at contact@theprivatetourguide.com with a subject line like “Request for personal information” or “Request for removal.”

We may ask for identity verification before actioning your request.

10. Complaints

If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact us and we’ll do our best to resolve the issue promptly:

Email: contact@theprivatetourguide.com
If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or how we operate. We’ll post the updated version on our website and indicate the latest revision date at the top of this page.