Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how La Via Maldives ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses and protects your personal information when you visit laviatravels.com, contact us or enquire and book trips with us.

We are committed to handling your data responsibly and transparently. This Policy is not legal advice and may be updated from time to time.

2. Who is responsible for your data?

La Via Maldives operates in the Maldives and is responsible for the personal data we collect and process.

You can contact us at:
Email: hello@laviamaldives.comWhatsApp / Phone: +960 755 7042

3. Information we collect

a) Information you provide directly

When you contact us or submit an enquiry, we may collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone / WhatsApp number
• Country of residence
• Trip preferences (dates, type of experience, number of travellers, budget, certification level)
• Any other information you choose to share (for example special requests or notes like "non-swimmer").

b) Booking and trip details

When you confirm a booking, we may collect additional information, such as:

• Passport name and date of birth
• Diving certification level and approximate number of dives
• Arrival and departure flight details
• Payment status and amounts (payment card details are usually processed by secure payment providers, not stored by us directly)

c) Usage data

When you browse the Site, we may collect limited technical and usage data, such as:

• IP address and approximate region/country
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on the Site
• Referring websites or links

This is usually collected via cookies and similar technologies. See our Cookie Policy for more details.

4. How we use your information

• To respond to enquiries: providing trip ideas, availability, pricing and general travel information.
• To manage bookings and trips: arranging reservations with our partners, confirming schedules and communicating important updates.
• To improve our services and website: understanding which trips and pages are most popular and fixing issues.
• For marketing (where allowed): sending updates about new trips or offers if you have opted in or where allowed by law. You can opt out at any time.
• For legal and security reasons: complying with legal obligations, and detecting or preventing misuse or fraud.

5. Legal bases (for EU/UK visitors)

Where European or UK data-protection law applies, we rely on:

• Contract: processing needed to handle your enquiries and bookings.
• Legitimate interests: improving services, keeping the Site secure and communicating reasonably with guests.
• Consent: for optional marketing and certain cookies.
• Legal obligation: keeping records where required by law.

6. How we share your information

We never sell your personal data. We may share it:

• With local partners needed to run your trip (guesthouses, hotels, liveaboards, dive centres, boat operators and transport providers).
• With service providers who help us operate the Site and our business (for example website hosting, email platforms or analytics tools).
• When required by law or to protect our rights, safety, guests or partners.

We only share the minimum information necessary and expect our partners to protect your data and use it only for agreed purposes.

7. International transfers

As we operate in the Maldives and may use service providers in other countries, your data may be stored or processed outside your home country. We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is protected in line with this Privacy Policy and any applicable legal requirements.

8. How long we keep your data

We keep your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including:

• Enquiry and booking records: for the duration of your trip and a reasonable period afterwards for accounting and legal purposes.
• Marketing data: until you opt out or we no longer need it.

When data is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymise it wherever reasonably possible.

9. Your rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Ask us to delete your data where we no longer need it, subject to legal obligations.
• Request that we restrict or object to certain types of processing.
• Request a portable copy of certain data in a structured format.

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@laviamaldives.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

10. Children's privacy

Our services are not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental or guardian consent. If you believe a child has provided us with data without consent, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, such as limiting access, using secure tools and reviewing our practices. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of data sent over the internet.

12. Third-party websites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites (for example liveaboard operators, hotels or social media). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any websites you visit.

13. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top. Important changes may be highlighted on the Site. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

14. Contact

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or want to exercise your rights, please contact us at hello@laviamaldives.com or +960 755 7042.