At the International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA), we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and safeguard data gathered through our website, membership services, event registrations, publications, and communications.
Your trust is important to us. Whether you’re visiting our site, submitting a research paper, attending an ITSA event, or subscribing to our newsletter, we want you to feel confident that your personal data is handled responsibly and transparently.
This Privacy Policy applies to all digital and offline interactions with intltourismstudies.org and our official email address intltourismstudies@gmail.com.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information to provide you with a better experience, offer relevant services, and communicate important updates. The types of information we may collect include:
- Full name
- Email address
- Country of residence
- Academic or professional affiliation
- Job title or role
- Areas of academic or research interest
- Event participation details
- Submitted articles, abstracts, or academic documents
- Payment details (in case of registration fees, processed through secure third-party platforms)
We may also collect non-personally identifiable information such as your browser type, IP address, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This helps us analyze website performance and user engagement, but it does not identify you personally.
How We Collect Information
We collect information through:
- Online forms (e.g., membership registration, event sign-ups, calls for papers)
- Email correspondence
- Newsletter subscriptions
- Conference registration platforms
- Survey participation
- Cookies and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
Any personal data you provide is submitted voluntarily and with your consent.
Use of Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Manage ITSA membership and event registrations
- Share updates about ITSA news, events, publications, and opportunities
- Process and review conference submissions or academic papers
- Send newsletters, call-for-paper notices, and research collaborations
- Respond to inquiries or support requests
- Analyze engagement to improve content and user experience
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Sharing and Third Parties
In some cases, we may share limited personal information with trusted partners or vendors who help us operate our services. These may include:
- Event hosting platforms
- Payment processors
- Academic journal partners
- IT and communication service providers
These third parties are contractually required to protect your data and only use it for the specific purpose of providing services on our behalf.
We may also disclose personal data if required to do so by law or legal process, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or government request.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enhance the browsing experience. Cookies allow us to:
- Recognize returning visitors
- Track user behavior and improve site functionality
- Understand which content is most useful or popular
You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may limit your ability to use certain features of the site.
We also use analytics tools like Google Analytics to gather anonymized data about website traffic and user interaction. This data helps us improve our services and does not personally identify users.
Data Storage and Security
We store your personal data securely using industry-standard security protocols. Our systems are monitored and protected to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of information.
Data submitted through forms or email is stored on secure servers and may be accessed only by authorized ITSA personnel for legitimate administrative purposes.
Although we take strong precautions, no method of online transmission or storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute data security but we work continuously to minimize risk.
Email Communications
When you provide your email address to ITSA, you may receive:
- Newsletters and announcements
- Conference invitations and event updates
- Publication alerts or calls for papers
- Membership notices
You may opt out of receiving emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of our emails or by contacting us directly at intltourismstudies@gmail.com.
We respect your communication preferences and will act promptly on all unsubscribe requests.
Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are not directed toward individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we learn that a minor has submitted personal information without parental consent, we will delete that data as quickly as possible.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law or internal policy. Academic submissions, event participation records, and membership data may be retained for historical and archival purposes unless deletion is requested.
Your Rights
Depending on your country or region, you may have rights under data protection laws including the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Request corrections or updates to your data
- Request deletion of your data
- Object to or restrict certain forms of data processing
- Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting the lawfulness of prior data use)
To exercise any of these rights, please email us at intltourismstudies@gmail.com with a clear description of your request. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
International Data Transfers
As an international organization, your data may be processed in countries outside of your own, including those with different data protection laws. By using our site or submitting information, you consent to this international transfer, understanding that we take appropriate measures to protect your privacy.
Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Updates will be posted on this page, and the revised date will appear at the top of the document. We encourage you to review the policy periodically to stay informed.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact:
📧 Email: intltourismstudies@gmail.com
🌐 Website: intltourismstudies.org
We appreciate your trust in ITSA and are committed to protecting your privacy as a valued member of our global tourism community.