Policies & Disclaimers

IAOHTA follows a structured membership system to ensure inclusivity and transparency across all levels of the tourism industry:

• Associate Members: Emerging or unregistered individuals and entities currently under development and training
• Verified Members: Members with basic legal or business registration in their respective jurisdiction
• Certified Members: Fully compliant members holding relevant licenses, credentials, and industry recognitions

Membership category does not imply government approval unless explicitly stated by IAOHTA in writing.

All members are individually responsible for complying with applicable laws, regulations, and licensing requirements in their respective jurisdictions. IAOHTA does not grant legal authorization to operate a business, offer travel services, or conduct any regulated activity on behalf of any member.

IAOHTA is a facilitating, networking, and capacity-building organization. It is important for all members, customers, and the public to understand that IAOHTA:

• Does NOT act as a government authority or regulatory body
• Does NOT regulate, license, or certify members on behalf of any government
• Does NOT guarantee the quality, accuracy, or delivery of services provided by its members

All services offered by IAOHTA members are solely their own responsibility. IAOHTA shall not be held liable for any of the following arising from member activities:

• Service failures or non-delivery of promised services
• Financial disputes between members and customers
• Customer dissatisfaction with member services
• Misconduct, fraud, or misrepresentation by any member

Members are strictly prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities under the IAOHTA name, logo, or membership credentials:

• Fraudulent or misleading business practices
• Fake travel, job, or visa offers of any nature
• Unauthorized financial collection from customers or third parties
• Any illegal, unethical, or exploitative activity

Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of membership and reporting to the relevant authorities without prior notice.

IAOHTA may, at its discretion, facilitate dispute resolution between members and customers in the capacity of a neutral mediator. However, the following limitations apply:

• All decisions and recommendations made by IAOHTA in such matters are advisory in nature
• IAOHTA holds no legal enforcement authority and cannot compel any party to comply

Parties seeking legal remedy must pursue appropriate legal channels in their respective jurisdictions.

Members operating internationally must ensure full compliance with the laws and regulations of both their country of origin and the destination country. Unauthorized international services — particularly those related to immigration, foreign employment, or cross-border financial transactions — are strictly prohibited under IAOHTA membership.

Members must ensure proper handling, storage, and protection of all personal data collected during the course of their business operations. This includes compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws in their respective jurisdictions. Misuse, unauthorized sharing, or negligent handling of customer or third-party data is a violation of IAOHTA membership standards.

For details on how IAOHTA itself manages data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

IAOHTA reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate membership in cases including but not limited to:

• Violations of the IAOHTA Code of Conduct
• Misrepresentation of credentials, services, or membership status
• Engagement in illegal or unethical activities
• Actions that damage the reputation, integrity, or standing of IAOHTA

Termination decisions may be made without prior notice in cases where immediate action is deemed necessary to protect members, customers, or the association.

By joining IAOHTA, all members explicitly acknowledge and agree to abide by all IAOHTA policies, guidelines, and the Code of Conduct in their entirety. Continued membership constitutes ongoing acceptance of these terms, including any updates or revisions made by IAOHTA from time to time.

IAOHTA aims to build a globally connected, compliant, and inclusive tourism ecosystem by integrating emerging and established stakeholders across multiple countries. The association works towards formalizing and strengthening the unorganized tourism sector in alignment with global standards and national tourism objectives.

For any queries or concerns related to these policies and disclaimers, please contact us: