Privacy Policy (SilkHarborTravel)

SilkHarborTravel (“SilkHarborTravel,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website SilkHarborTravel.com (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we share it, the choices you have, and the rights you may have depending on where you live.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at: info@silkharbortravel.com

What this Privacy Policy covers
This Privacy Policy covers information collected through the Site, including when you browse, click outbound links (including affiliate links), subscribe to email updates, contact us, or interact with our advertising and analytics tools. It does not cover third-party websites you may visit through links on our Site (such as hotel booking sites, cruise lines, rail operators, travel agencies, or social platforms). Those third parties have their own privacy policies.
Information we collect
We collect information in three main ways: (A) information you provide, (B) information collected automatically, and (C) information from third parties.

2A) Information you provide to us
Depending on how you use the Site, you may provide:
• Contact information: name, email address, and any details you include in a message (for example, when you email us or submit a contact form).
• Subscription information: email address and optional preferences (if you join a mailing list).
• User-generated content: comments or messages you submit (if enabled on the Site).
• Other information you choose to provide: any content you include in forms, surveys, or communications.

You do not need to provide personal information to browse most of the Site.

2B) Information we collect automatically
When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect:
• Device and browser data: device type, operating system, browser type, language settings.
• Log data: IP address, approximate location derived from IP (city/region level), date/time of visit, referring/exit pages, and pages viewed.
• Usage and interaction data: clicks, scrolling, time on page, navigation paths, and interactions with content.
• Cookies and similar technologies: cookie identifiers and related activity, as described in the Cookies section below.

2C) Information we receive from third parties
We may receive information from:
• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics): aggregated or event-level data about Site usage and performance.
• Advertising/measurement partners (Google, Meta, Pinterest, Microsoft/Bing): conversion and measurement signals that help us understand ad performance (for example, whether someone clicked an ad and later visited a page).
• Email service providers (if used): subscription status and engagement (opens/clicks) in an aggregated or account-level manner.
• Hosting/security providers: data that supports fraud prevention, security monitoring, and performance.

Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies (such as pixels, tags, and scripts) to operate the Site, understand performance, and measure marketing.

Types of cookies we may use:

• Affiliate tracking: used by affiliate partners to attribute referrals when you click affiliate links.
• Strictly necessary: required for basic Site functions, security, and load balancing.
• Functional: remembers preferences (where applicable).
• Analytics: helps us understand traffic and content performance (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Advertising/measurement: helps us measure and improve advertising campaigns (e.g., Meta Pixel, Pinterest Tag, Microsoft UET, Google Ads conversion tracking).

Affiliate tracking: used by affiliate partners to attribute referrals when you click affiliate links.

Cookie consent and regional requirements
In regions where consent is required (for example, the EEA/UK and certain other jurisdictions), we display a cookie banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies (such as analytics and advertising) before they are set.

Cookies may be session-based (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent (remain until they expire or you delete them). Exact durations vary by provider.

Managing cookies
You can control cookies through:
• Cookie banner/preferences tool (if enabled on the Site).
• Your browser settings (block, delete, or limit cookies).
• Platform settings (Google/Meta/Pinterest/Microsoft ad controls), described below.

Note: Blocking cookies may affect Site functionality and may limit personalization.

How we use your information
We use collected information for purposes such as:
• Operating and maintaining the Site (performance, troubleshooting, accessibility).
• Responding to your inquiries and providing support.
• Sending requested communications (e.g., newsletters), and managing subscriptions.
• Measuring Site performance and improving content (what people read, what’s helpful, what needs updating).
• Security and fraud prevention (detecting abuse, bots, or malicious activity).
• Advertising measurement and optimization (understanding which pages and content lead to outcomes such as outbound clicks or newsletter signups).
• Complying with legal obligations and enforcing our terms (if applicable).

We do not sell your personal information in the traditional sense of exchanging it for money. However, some privacy laws define “sale” or “sharing” broadly to include certain advertising-related data disclosures. See Section 11 for opt-out rights.

Affiliate links and travel partners (important)
SilkHarborTravel contains links to third-party travel providers and booking partners. Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

When you click an outbound link:
• You leave our Site and enter a third-party site that has its own privacy practices.
• That third party may collect information about you (including cookies, tracking identifiers, purchase details, or device information).
• We typically do not receive your full payment information or sensitive transaction details. We may receive limited data such as confirmation that a referral occurred, an order value range, or a commission amount—often in aggregated form.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any booking partner before completing a purchase.

Advertising and conversion tracking (Google, Meta, Pinterest, Microsoft/Bing)
We may use advertising and measurement tools to understand how people discover SilkHarborTravel and which pages or content lead to actions such as outbound clicks, newsletter signups, or visits to booking partners.

These tools may collect or receive information such as:
• IP address and approximate location derived from IP (city/region level)
• Device identifiers and cookie IDs
• Browser information
• Pages viewed and events (for example, “page view,” “outbound click,” “newsletter signup”)
• Ad interaction data (for example, whether you clicked an ad)

Tools we may use include:
• Google Analytics and Google Ads conversion tracking
• Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram)
• Pinterest Tag
• Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET)

These providers may use cookies or similar technologies and may process data under their own privacy policies. They may also associate collected data with your account on their platform if you are logged in.

Your choices:
• Use our cookie controls (where available) to accept/reject non-essential cookies.
• Adjust your browser cookie settings.
• Use platform-level controls:
– Google: ad personalization controls in your Google account settings
– Meta: ad preferences in Facebook/Instagram settings
– Pinterest: personalization and ad settings in your Pinterest account
– Microsoft/Bing: ad personalization and privacy settings in your Microsoft account

How we share information
We share information only as needed for legitimate business purposes, including:

7A) Service providers
We may share information with vendors that help us run the Site, such as:
• Website hosting and content delivery networks
• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Email delivery/marketing providers (if used)
• Security, fraud prevention, and performance monitoring providers

These providers are authorized to process information on our behalf, subject to contractual and legal restrictions.

7B) Advertising and measurement partners
If we use advertising/measurement tools, we may share limited data (such as event signals, cookie identifiers, or conversion measurements) with Google, Meta, Pinterest, and Microsoft/Bing for analytics, fraud prevention, ad delivery, and ad performance measurement. Depending on settings and availability, some platforms may support hashed identifiers (e.g., hashed email) for measurement; if used, it is typically for conversion attribution and is processed under the platform’s terms.

7C) Legal and safety
We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes
• Respond to lawful requests by public authorities
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of SilkHarborTravel, our users, or others
• Prevent fraud, security incidents, or abuse

7D) Business changes
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality safeguards.

Data retention
We keep information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:
• Operational needs (Site performance and security)
• Legal, accounting, or reporting obligations
• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements

Retention periods vary depending on the type of data and how it is used. Analytics data may be retained for a period set in analytics settings. Email subscription data is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion (subject to legal requirements).

Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect information. However, no website or internet transmission is fully secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
International visitors and cross-border transfers
If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. Data protection laws in those countries may differ from those in your location. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers (for example, contractual protections).
Your privacy rights and choices (by region)
Your rights depend on where you live. You may also have additional rights not listed here under local law.

11A) General choices (available to most users)
• Unsubscribe from emails: use the “unsubscribe” link in any email (if applicable).
• Cookie controls: use our cookie banner/preferences tool (if enabled).
• Browser controls: block or delete cookies in your browser settings.
• Platform ad controls: adjust ad personalization settings in Google, Meta, Pinterest, and Microsoft.

11B) U.S. state privacy laws (California, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, Utah, and others)
Depending on your state, you may have rights to:
• Access: request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we hold about you.
• Deletion: request deletion of personal information (with exceptions).
• Correction: request correction of inaccurate information.
• Opt-out: opt out of “targeted advertising” and, in some states, “sale” or “sharing” of personal information as those terms are defined by law.
• Non-discrimination: you will not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights.

Opting out of targeted advertising / sharing
If applicable, you can opt out by:
• Rejecting advertising cookies via our cookie preference tool (where available).
• Using platform settings (Google/Meta/Pinterest/Microsoft).
• Using browser-level controls (cookie blocking) or recognized opt-out signals where supported.

Submitting a request
Email info@silkharbortravel.com with the subject line “Privacy Request.” Include:
• Your name (optional)
• The email address you used with us (if any)
• The request type (Access/Deletion/Correction/Opt-out)
• Any details to help us locate relevant data

We may need to verify your request to protect your information.

California notice (CPRA)
Categories of personal information we may collect include identifiers (like email), internet/network activity (like pages viewed), approximate location (derived from IP), and inferences (like content interests based on browsing patterns).
We collect these for the business purposes described above (Site operations, analytics, security, marketing measurement).
We do not knowingly sell personal information for money. Some advertising disclosures may be considered “sharing” under CPRA. You may opt out as described above.

11C) EEA/UK users (GDPR/UK GDPR)
If you are located in the EEA or UK, you may have rights to:
• Access, correction, deletion, and portability
• Restrict or object to certain processing
• Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent, such as non-essential cookies)
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

Lawful bases for processing may include:
• Consent (e.g., non-essential cookies where required)
• Legitimate interests (e.g., Site security, preventing fraud, measuring performance)
• Contractual necessity (e.g., responding to a request you made)
• Legal obligation

To exercise rights, email info@silkharbortravel.com.

Children’s privacy
The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will take steps to delete it.
Third-party links and embedded content
The Site may include embedded content (such as videos) or links to external websites. These third parties may collect data through their own cookies or tracking tools. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
Do Not Track signals
Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” (DNT) settings. There is no widely accepted standard for responding to DNT signals. We may treat certain recognized opt-out preference signals as required by applicable law where supported.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, laws, or our practices. We will update the “Last updated” date at the top. Your continued use of the Site after changes means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us
If you have questions, requests, or concerns about privacy, contact:
SilkHarborTravel
Email: info@silkharbortravel.com