The Fortress Resort and Spa
Privacy Policy
In Sri Lanka, boutique beach resorts such as The Fortress is committed to protecting guests’ personal information. The creation of this privacy policy was undertaken to illustrate the information we collect from hotel guests and web site visitors, and the way in which we use that information. We will post any changes in our privacy policy time to time on the website.
WHAT IS PERSONAL INFORMATION?
“Personal Information” refers to the details that can be used to identify any individual who uses the products/services of the web site. The term “Personal Information” refers to name, address and gender and other details provided by you under your consent.
WHY IS PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED?
- To Provide Superior Customer Service to our Guests
The Fortress collects personal information to assist is making your reservation more simpler and easier, and in carrying out your request to ensure your needs are met when staying at the resort. In addition, personal information is collected to allow us to contact you in case of arising matters related to your stay with us. By maintaining personal information of guests, you are able to reconcile statements/invoices and confirm prior transactions.
- To Keep Our Guests and Owners Informed
Personal information maybe used to provide guests with newsletters regarding the resort and to advise on any promotions, offers, discounts or related news that may be of interest. In order to carry out this task, personal information may have to be retained, and be shared with a third party. These companies could include communications and marketing companies, who are under contract with The Fortress and are contractually obligated to protect all information shared.
- For Marketing Research
With regard to surveys, we may wish to contact you to receive your views on the resort and its service delivery. In most cases, information such as this are collected by a third party, who are under contract with The Fortress and as stated above, they are contractually bound to protect the personal information shared. This is done with an intention to understand the trends, needs and expectations of guests.
HOW IS PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED?
- On Our Web Site
- Initially Upon Contact With Our Web Site
Whenever you visit a site, a cookie is stored in your computer and your computer is identified with a unique ID number. Cookies are small pieces of information that your browser stores on your computer’s hard disk. They simplify reservation by automatically filling up preferences already been filled up on your previous visit to the site. Cookies are also used as a way of collecting web site data such as the number of visitors and traffic to specific web pages. This helps us to understand which pages are popular among users and which are not. It also helps us to improve on the site based on page views and number of visitors. You can set your computer to not store any cookies on your computer, if you prefer. However, this may prevent you using some of the functions we offer.
When accessing our web site, your computer will assigned a specific ID number, which will identify you whenever you visit our website. Although personal information such as name, age and address will be anonymous at this point, cookies will allow us to make a log of every time you access the site. Once personal information is entered, we will combine your ID number with the contact information you provided, so that we can recognize you on future visits.
- While Browsing Our Web Site
When you explore our web site, there may be instances where online surveys or promotions will request you to provide personal information. In responding to this request if you wish to participate, you may have to provide information about your personal identity such as name and address. In instance such as this, we only use information to suit the purposes you have specified.
- When Making a Reservation
When making a reservation at the hotel, you will be linked to our reservation system. Here, you will be required to fill a reservation form the very first time you make a reservation. In completing the reservation form, you will be asked to provide specific details including your name, address and other personal information. You will also have to enter certain guarantee and deposit details such as credit card information in order to secure your reservation. The completion of your reservation form shall serve as your acknowledge and agreement to the terms and conditions contained in this Privacy Policy. Once your credit card is verified, The Fortress will confirm the reservation and process any payments. Since making a reservation involves personal information of credit cards, The Fortress uses a secure system, where the credit card information is protected. In this process, the information is encoded before transmitting to the intended recipient.
- Through our Worldwide Reservations Offices or Hotels
You can also make a reservation by calling our corporate office. In this instance, we may ask you personal information such as name, contact details and method of payments. In addition, we may also gather information about your room preference, and/or special requests. The information will transmitted to the hotel through a secured communication gateway and confirmation of your reservation will be sent to you directly from the hotel through e-mail.
- During your stay at the resort
From arrival to departure, we will record your itemized spending, including expenses billed to your room. This information will carried in compliance to financial reporting requirements, including those guidelines imposed by the government. In some cases, information specific to your stay at The Fortress may also be stored, such as service issues and payment difficulties. Other than these instances, we may also retain the contents of any documents provided by you such as e-mails, comments, letter and electronic documents that you may have sent us before your stay. Such information is shared only with the rest of the staff at the resort, and not any third party.
HOW DO WE STORE PERSONAL INFORMATION?
The resort goes to great measures to ensure that all Personal Information is kept in a secure location, be it a database or filing cabinet. Furthermore, we take steps to ensure that only designated individuals have access to this information.
- In Our Marketing Database
The Fortress maintains a database of guest information which is used for marketing, promotion and research purposes. Any information sent provides a clear notice of how to discontinue receiving promotional materials.
WHAT INFORMATION IS NOT SECURE?
Please note that e-mail communication is not secure, especially when conveying personal information. When requesting for information using e-mail, do not state your personal information such as credit card number. In addition, when making reservations outside your home, make sure that you always close your browsers. It is recommended that you close your browsers immediately upon completion because if not, you will still be logged on to the page, and it will easy for someone to gain access.
WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY BE PROVIDED TO THIRD PARTIES?
As mentioned before in this statement, third parties of The Fortress will receive personal information only in instances when their services are needed to better serve your needs as a guest. All third parties are contractually bound, and will be legally obligated to comply with agreed upon terms and conditions such as protection of personal information.
In exceptional circumstances, personal information may be shared when legal regulations, judicial or official orders may require us to hand data over to the relevant authority or court. However, this is only undertaken within the framework of our legal obligations. Other instances where personal information is shared without your consent are if you have failed to pay amount due and if your stay has been paid by a third party, then all billing information will be send to the paying party.
HOW DO I ACCESS MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?
If you wish to know what personal information we may have of you, you can make a request and we will be more than happy to assist you with your requirements. However, in order to protect personal information of guests, we require that you prove your identity at the time the request is made. You have the option of requesting in person or via letter or fax. The Fortress reserves the right to decline access to your personal information under certain circumstances. If your personal information will not be disclosed, you will be provided with the reasons for this non-disclosure.
HOW LONG IS MY PERSONAL INFORMATION RETAINED?
Your personal information will be stored for the period of time required by law. It may be stored indefinitely by The Fortress as long as there is a business purpose for doing so. From time to time we may delete your personal information if you have not stayed with us in a number of years.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE ARE CHANGES TO THIS POLICY?
Any changes to the privacy policy will be posted on this web site. Changes of use will not apply retroactively to Personal Information for which you have given explicit consent, which was acquired before the change to the Privacy Policy except as may be required by law. If you do not agree with the changes in the privacy policy, you may send us a letter or e-mail. However if you do not object, it shall be taken as an indication of your agreement.
TO WHOM DO I DIRECT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING THIS POLICY?
Questions or concerns regarding this privacy policy should be directed to the following address:
The Fortress at Galle
PO Box 126,
Koggala,
Galle,
Sri Lanka