Privacy Policy

1. Data We Collect

Identifiers and Contact Information

• IP address and device identifiers
• Email address (when voluntarily submitted via contact forms or newsletter signup)
• Name (when voluntarily provided)

Usage and Analytics Data

• Pages viewed and time spent on site
• Referring URLs and search terms
• Browser type, operating system, and device information
• Session duration and interaction patterns

Cookies and Similar Technologies

• Analytics cookies (Google Analytics, etc.)
• Functional cookies for site preferences
• Marketing and affiliate tracking pixels (when consented)

2. How We Collect Data

• Directly from you: When you submit contact forms, sign up for newsletters, or email us
• Automatically: Via cookies, pixels, and analytics scripts (non-essential tracking requires your consent)
• From third parties: Affiliate networks and advertising partners may share data when you click affiliate links

3. Purposes of Processing

We use collected data for the following purposes:

• Site Operation: To provide, maintain, and improve our website and content
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Analytics: To understand how visitors use our site and improve user experience
• Marketing: To send newsletters and promotional content (with your consent)
• Affiliate Tracking: To attribute conversions and manage affiliate partnerships
• Security: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents

4. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

Under GDPR, we process personal data based on:

• Consent: For analytics/marketing cookies, email marketing, and non-essential tracking
• Legitimate Interests: For security, debugging, fraud prevention, and essential site operations
• Contractual Necessity: When providing requested services or responding to inquiries
• Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

5. Cookies and Consent Management

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Non-essential cookies are set only after you provide explicit opt-in consent.

Cookie Categories

• Strictly Necessary: Essential for site functionality (no consent required)
• Analytics: Help us understand site usage and improve content
• Marketing: Used for targeted advertising and retargeting
• Affiliate: Track conversions from affiliate links

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie banner or preference center. Withdrawing consent will not affect previously collected data but will prevent future non-essential tracking.

6. Third-Party Services

We may integrate third-party services including:

• Analytics Tools: Google Analytics (with Consent Mode v2), and similar services
• Affiliate Networks: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and others
• Advertising Platforms: Google AdSense, ad networks, and retargeting pixels
• Social Media: Social sharing buttons and embedded content

Each third party operates under its own privacy policy. Links to vendor privacy policies are provided in our cookie banner and vendor list.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes stated in this policy or as required by law. Specifically:

• Analytics data: Typically 26 months (per Google Analytics default settings)
• Email addresses: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Contact form submissions: 3 years for business records
• Server logs: 90 days for security purposes

After retention periods expire, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

8. Your Privacy Rights

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

GDPR Rights (EU/UK)

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”)
• Restriction: Limit how we process your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing
• Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your data protection authority

CCPA/CPRA Rights (California)

• Know: What personal information we collect and how it’s used
• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-Out: Opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information
• Correct: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Limit: Limit use of sensitive personal information
• Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

To exercise any of these rights, please email erica@travelblissful.com with your request. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically 30 days for GDPR, 45 days for CCPA).

9. Do Not Track & Global Privacy Control

We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals and similar browser-based privacy preferences where technically feasible. When we detect a GPC signal from your browser, we will treat it as a request to opt out of targeted advertising and data sales (where applicable).

10. Children’s Privacy

Travel Blissful is intended for general audiences and is not directed to children under 16 years of age (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at erica@travelblissful.com and we will promptly delete such information.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including countries that may not have the same data protection laws. When we transfer data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Other legally approved mechanisms

12. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. The “Last Updated” date at the top indicates when the policy was most recently revised.

Material changes will be communicated through a notice on our website or via email (for newsletter subscribers). Continued use of our site after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us for Privacy Matters

For privacy-related questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact:

Email: erica@travelblissful.com

Subject Line: “Privacy Inquiry” or “Data Rights Request”

For general inquiries unrelated to privacy, please visit our Contact page.