Travel Conditions

Article 1 · Purpose

These terms set out how an overseas travel contract between IOS Co., Ltd. and the traveller is performed, and what each side must observe.

Article 2 · Obligations of the parties

① We shall faithfully carry out our part in planning and delivering the journey — arrangement and guidance, transport, accommodation and the rest — so that the traveller receives a safe and satisfactory service.

② The traveller shall co-operate in maintaining good relations among travellers and in the orderly conduct of the journey, so that it is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Article 3 · Definitions

① Package tour — a journey for which we have set the destination, itinerary, transport and accommodation ("travel services") and price in advance, and for which we recruit travellers by advertising or other means.

② Custom journey — a journey for which we draw up the whole plan — transport, accommodation, sightseeing and so on — according to conditions requested by an individual traveller or a group.

③ Travel formalities agency — where we agree a fee to handle, on the traveller's instruction:

1. procedures for obtaining a passport, visa, re-entry permit and other certificates;
2. preparation of immigration documents and related work.

Article 4 · What the contract consists of

① The contract comprises the travel contract document, these terms, and the itinerary (or travel description).

② The itinerary must show, for each day, the places visited and what is seen, the means of transport, the number of shopping stops, where you stay, meals, the services we provide, and points for the traveller to note.

Article 5 · Formation of the contract

The traveller applies for overseas travel orally, by telephone, or in writing; we confirm the application through our procedures; and the contract is treated as formed once the traveller pays a deposit of 10% of the travel price in accordance with Article 11(3).

Article 6 · Special terms

① We and the traveller may agree special terms in writing or by notice on a web page, within the limits of the relevant law.

② Special terms agreed with a customer take precedence over these general terms.

③ Where they do, the difference from the standard form terms must be explained to the traveller.

Article 7 · Delivery of documents

On concluding a travel contract we shall give the traveller one copy each of the contract document, these terms, and the itinerary (or travel description).

Article 8 · Deemed delivery

Those documents are treated as delivered where consent and acceptance are notified ① through an electronic information network, or ② by means of a mechanical device.

Article 9 · Cancellation below minimum numbers

① Where we cancel because the minimum number of participants is not reached, we shall notify the traveller no later than 7 days before departure.

② If we cancel without notifying within that period, we shall refund the deposit already received and additionally pay:

1. notice up to 1 day before departure — 20% of the travel price;
2. notice on the day of departure — 50% of the travel price.

Article 10 · Refusal to contract

We may decline to enter into a contract where the traveller is judged likely to inconvenience other travellers or to hinder the smooth conduct of the journey, where illness or another cause makes travel difficult, or where the maximum number of participants has been reached.

Article 11 · The travel price

① Included

1. carrier fares (ordinary fare)
2. transfer coach charges
3. accommodation and meals
4. guide expenses
5. taxes of all kinds
6. airport and port taxes
7. the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund levy
8. admission charges at sights
9. other costs under individual agreement
10. our arrangement fee

② Not included

Personal expenditure, medical treatment, charges for oversized items, anything not specified, and the cost of travel formalities.

③–⑥ Payment

The deposit is up to 10% of the travel price. The balance is payable no later than 14 days before departure, by the method we specify. Where insurance is included, its cover will be explained to the traveller.

Article 12 · Changes to the price

① Where fares or accommodation charges move by 5% or more, or the exchange rate by 2% or more, either party may claim the increase or decrease.

② Notice of an increase shall be given 15 days before departure.

Article 13 · Changes to travel conditions

① Conditions may be changed where unavoidable — for the traveller's safety, because of local circumstances, or on account of natural disaster, war, strike and the like.

② and ③ govern when the resulting increase or decrease is settled, and how other causes are accounted for. ④ Where a journey ends early, no refund is made; Article 16 applies.

Article 14 · Damages

Sets out the principles for compensation arising from the intent or negligence of local operators, delay in processing documents, transport delays and the like, together with responsibility for baggage.

Article 15 · Cancellation before departure

① Compensation follows the Consumer Redress Regulations — 10% to 50% of the travel price according to how far before departure notice is given. See our Consumer Redress page for the full schedule. Any special terms must be notified.

② Sets out the grounds on which each party may cancel, including the documents required to evidence the death of a relative, illness and similar causes.

Article 16 · Cancellation after departure

The contract may be terminated for unavoidable reasons. Provides for co-operation on what is needed to return home, and for who bears the cost.

Article 17 · Our liability

We are liable for loss caused by our intent or negligence, or that of those we employ, from departure until arrival.

Article 18 · Your responsibilities

Covers attendance at the briefing, co-operation with the guide, the duty to compensate, the duty to look after valuables, the documents to be submitted in the event of theft, illness or accident, and the time limit for raising a claim about damaged baggage.

Article 19 · When travel begins and ends

Travel begins on completion of boarding formalities and ends on leaving the customs area of the arrivals hall, except where domestic transfer is included.

Article 20 · Duty to explain

We must explain the material contents of the contract and any change to them.

Article 21 · Insurance

We must hold insurance or mutual-aid cover, or lodge a business guarantee deposit.

Article 22 · Other matters

① Anything not specified here is settled by agreement between the parties and, failing that, by the relevant law and general practice.

② Travel to particular regions may be governed by different provisions.