Answers

Is my credit card number safe?

Exploring Horizons uses SSL (or Secure Sockets Layer) standards that are supported by all major browsers. SSL encodes your personal information (such as your address and phone number, or your credit card number) so that it is available only to you and Exploring Horizons travel agent who will help make sure your travel planning goes smoothly. This encryption makes doing business over the Internet as secure as making a purchase by telephone. However, as an increased precaution at the moment we only accept credit card information by submitting a signed Credit Card Authorization Form. The form can be found under the section Legal/Forms.

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Why doesn't Exploring Horizons offer online booking?

Looking for the best deal available is time consuming and cannot be achieved by looking at one or two online booking interfaces. This is the reason Exploring Horizons does not provide customers with an online self-service booking engine. For instance, the market for airline fares is controlled by a four major worldwide electronic distributors of travel information (Sabre, Worldspan, Amadeus, and Galileo). So far the market has failed to unite these four distributors and therefore many online booking interfaces have access to only one or two of these systems. Exploring Horizons has access to all four and can offer its customers some of the most competitive fares for air travel, hotels, rental car, and entertainment ticketing.

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What is responsible and alternative travel?

Responsible travel is a new way of traveling for those who've had enough of mass tourism. It's about respecting and benefiting local people and the environment – but it's about far more than that. If you travel for relaxation, fulfillment, discovery, adventure and to learn – rather than simply to tick off 'places and things' – then responsible travel is for you. In addition, alternative tourism offers opportunities to those travelers that want more than just travel. It offer alternatives that are more environmentally friendly, more respectful of local cultures and needs, and allow travelers to help local communities through voluntarism.

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How do you screen operators?

All industry members have been screened to meet the required environmental, social and economic criteria for joining our site. Our vendors are leaders in the Alternative Tourism industry and we are confident of their services.

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How is my money protected? How can I trust the companies you work with?

All vacations booked with one of our vendors are either formally bonded or operate a system of separate client accounts with external signatories, to provide you with financial security in the unlikely event that they should cease to trade.

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Is Alternative Tourism involving volunteering or community-based tourism safe?

It is important to be aware that this sort of alternative travel involves destinations in poor, or under developed, countries. Extra caution should be used when traveling from, to, and within these countries. Before choosing a destination please make sure to consult the US Department of State Travel Advisory.

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How can I volunteer and travel at the same time?

There are many ways to volunteer while traveling Whether traveling with a group or independently, these tours will give you the opportunity to help improve the basic living conditions of the local people or participate in environmental conservation projects while having an unforgettable and meaningful cross-cultural experience. No training or special skills are required.  For instance, you can check out our sponsors like Planterra, GAP Adventures, HandsUp Holidays, or Responsible Travel for ideas and on-going project. If you are not sure what to chose or where to travel to, do not hesitate to contact us and we will gladly help you to make the right decision.

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