Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 03/03/2025

The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you visit our website (the “Site”) or use our services.

By accessing or using the Site, you consent to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

1.1 Personal Information

When you interact with our Site or become a member, we may collect:

  • Full Name
  • Business Name (if applicable)
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Mailing Address
  • Membership Details (e.g., membership level, renewal date, payment status)
  • Login Credentials (encrypted)
  • Business Profile Content (images, descriptions, logos, social media links)

1.2 Non-Personal Information

We may also collect non-identifiable data, such as:

  • Browser type and version
  • Device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)
  • IP address (anonymized)
  • Pages visited and time spent on the Site
  • Referring website (if applicable)

This information helps us improve website functionality and user experience.

1.3 Payment Information

If you make a payment for membership fees, event registrations, or services, we process payments through secure third-party payment gateways. The BHTA does not store credit card details or banking information.

2. How We Use Your Information

The BHTA collects and uses your information for the following purposes:

  • Membership Management – To create and maintain your membership account.
  • Communication – To send you important updates, renewal notices, and promotional materials.
  • Business Listings – To display your business profile as part of your membership.
  • Website Improvement – To analyze user activity and enhance the Site’s performance.
  • Legal Compliance – To comply with regulatory obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do NOT sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties, except in the following cases:

  • With Your Consent – If you opt-in to share your information for networking or promotional opportunities.
  • Legal Requirements – If required by law, subpoena, or regulatory request.
  • Business Transfers – In the event of a merger or restructuring, data may be transferred to a successor entity.
  • Partnerships with entities the BHTA contracts to provide training services like the National Transformation Initiative (NTI)  

4. Data Security

We take data security seriously and implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information. This includes:-

  • Encryption of sensitive data
  • Secure access controls for member accounts
  • Regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access
  • Firewalls and malware protection on our systems

Despite our efforts, no online system is 100% secure. Users are responsible for safeguarding their login credentials.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

5.1 Access and Update

You can log in to your account to review and update your information at any time.

5.2 Opt-Out of Communications

You may unsubscribe from promotional emails by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link or contacting us. However, we may still send you essential notifications (e.g., membership renewals, policy updates).

5.3 Account Deletion

If you wish to delete your account and personal data, submit a request to [Insert Email]. Please note:

  • Suspended accounts (due to non-payment) may be reinstated within 12 months before deletion.
  • Deleted accounts cannot be recovered and require a new membership application.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and tracking tools to enhance user experience. These include:

  • Essential Cookies – Required for website functionality.
  • Analytics Cookies – Track website performance and usage trends.
  • Preference Cookies – Store user settings and preferences.

You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may impact website functionality.

7. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. BHTA is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any linked websites.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill membership services, legal obligations, and business purposes. Specifically:

  • Active members – Data is retained indefinitely unless a deletion request is made.
  • Suspended accounts – Data is stored for up to 12 months after non-payment before deletion.
  • Website analytics data – Retained for up to 24 months for performance evaluation.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

The BHTA reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated Effective Date. We encourage users to review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA)
4th Avenue Belleville

St. Michael

BARBADOS

Telephone: (246) 622-5041

Email: info@bhta.org