Terms of Service

1. Service Description

GuideVia is an open platform that enables local tour guides and organizations to:

• Build their own subwebsite hosted under guidevia.com/[guide-or-organization-name]
• Introduce themselves and showcase their tours, activities, and services
• Connect with potential travelers and customers

GuideVia also serves as a discovery hub where travelers can find and connect with guides.

1.1 Current Service Scope

As of now, GuideVia provides website creation and hosting services. We do not currently offer booking or payment processing features.

1.2 Future Services

We may introduce additional services in the future, including but not limited to booking systems or enhanced promotional tools. Users will be notified of significant service additions or changes.

1.3 Free Service

Creating and maintaining a guide subsite on GuideVia is currently free of charge. We reserve the right to introduce paid features or subscription plans in the future.

2. User Accounts

2.1 Account Creation

• Guides: Must create an account using a valid email address to access the platform and create subsites.
• Travelers: Can browse and access guide subsites without creating an account.

2.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your email address and account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account

3. User Content and Intellectual Property

3.1 Content Ownership

Guides retain full ownership of all content and intellectual property they create and publish on the platform, including but not limited to images, text, videos, logos, and tour descriptions.

3.2 License to GuideVia

By publishing content on GuideVia, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

• Use, reproduce, store, and display your content for the purpose of providing the service
• Distribute your content publicly as part of your guide subsite
• Use your content for promotional purposes to market the GuideVia platform

This license exists only for the duration of your use of the platform and for legitimate business purposes thereafter (such as cached content or backups).

3.3 Content Responsibility

You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to all content you publish
• Your content does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party
• Your content is accurate and not misleading
• You have obtained necessary permissions for any images featuring identifiable individuals

3.4 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold GuideVia harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your content or your use of the platform.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

By using GuideVia, you agree NOT to:

• Use the platform for any illegal or unauthorized activities
• Publish false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Distribute content that infringes copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights
• Post content that is offensive, defamatory, harassing, or violates the rights of others
• Spam, harass, or abuse other users or visitors
• Impersonate another person or organization
• Distribute malware, viruses, or any harmful code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the platform or other users' accounts
• Scrape, data mine, or use automated systems to extract data without permission
• Use the platform in any way that could damage, disable, or impair the service

4.1 Content Moderation

GuideVia reserves the right to:

• Review content published on the platform
• Remove any content that violates these Terms of Service
• Remove content that conflicts with the platform's purpose or values
• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms

5. Service Availability and Modifications

5.1 No Guarantee of Availability

While we strive to provide reliable service, GuideVia cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free availability of the platform. The service is provided "as is" and "as available."

5.2 Maintenance and Downtime

We may temporarily suspend access to the platform for:

• Scheduled maintenance and updates
• Emergency repairs
• Technical issues beyond our control

5.3 Service Modifications

GuideVia reserves the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature or aspect of the service
• Change these Terms of Service
• Update the platform's functionality and design

6. GuideVia's Role as a Platform

Important: GuideVia is a platform provider, not a tour operator, travel agency, or booking service.

Platform vs. Guide Relationship

• We provide the technology and hosting for guides to create their subsites
• Guides are independent operators responsible for their own tours, services, and customer relationships
• Any agreements, transactions, or communications between guides and travelers are solely between those parties
• We are not a party to any agreements between guides and travelers

7. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

7.1 Platform Disclaimer

GuideVia is an open platform accessible worldwide. While we implement quality controls, we make no warranties or representations regarding:

• The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of guide-provided content
• The quality, safety, or legitimacy of guides or their services
• The qualifications, credentials, or certifications of guides
• The availability, pricing, or terms of tours and activities

7.2 No Liability for Guide Services

GuideVia is not responsible for:

• Tour Quality or Safety: The quality, safety standards, or conduct of tours and activities. Travelers participate in tours at their own risk.
• Injuries or Damages: Any personal injury, death, property damage, or other harm arising from tours or activities booked through guides on the platform.
• Financial Transactions: GuideVia does not currently process payments. We are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or mishandled funds exchanged between guides and travelers.
• Cancellations or Refunds: Cancellation policies, refund disputes, or any changes to bookings made between guides and travelers.
• Schedule Changes: Changes to tour schedules, prices, availability, or cancellation policies made by guides.
• Lost or Stolen Property: Any personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged during tours or activities.
• Guide Conduct: The actions, omissions, or conduct of guides or their employees.
• Third-Party Services: Any third-party services, accommodations, or transportation arranged by guides.

7.3 Traveler Responsibility

Important Notice to Travelers:

• You are responsible for your own safety and well-being during any tours or activities
• Use your own judgment and common sense when evaluating guides and tours
• Research guides independently and verify their credentials and reviews
• Never pay money upfront that you are not prepared to lose
• Understand and accept the cancellation and refund policies of individual guides before booking
• Ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for your activities

7.4 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• GuideVia and its owners, employees, and partners shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Our total liability for any claims related to the service shall not exceed the amount paid by you to GuideVia (if any) in the twelve months preceding the claim
• The service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied

8. Account Termination

8.1 Termination by GuideVia

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the platform:

• For violation of these Terms of Service
• For fraudulent or illegal activity
• For prolonged inactivity with prior notice
• At our discretion, with or without cause, with or without notice

8.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be revoked
• Your guide subsite will be removed from public view
• Your content may be deleted from our systems in accordance with our data retention policies

9. General Provisions

9.1 Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through your account dashboard. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

9.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

9.3 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service constitute the entire agreement between you and GuideVia regarding the use of the platform and supersede any prior agreements.

9.4 Waiver

No waiver of any term or condition shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.

9.5 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

10. Acceptance of Terms

By using GuideVia, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these terms, you must not use the platform.