Questions You Should Ask Every Travel Company
Experience
1. How long have you been in the business and how many travelers do you take care of each year?
Adventurebug Travel Ltd. Began in 2000. It was one of Spain´s first legally established multi
activity companies (based in the state of Andalucia). We cater to between 400-800 participants
max in various forms of active travel.
2. Who will be my key contact person in your organization? How long have they been in the
travel industry and what is their background?
Matt Butler is the Managing Director. He has worked in travel for over 20 years, and has been
the founder of Adventurebug Ltd. Since 2000.
3. Who are the principals of the company and what is their background?
Adventurebug is a Limited Company administered as a partnership between Matt and Julie
Butler. Both come from a professional teaching background (pre-2000), and Matt has worked
as a guide / interpreter for the Canadian National Parks service for many years prior to tour
operating from Spain. Both have extensive guiding / leadership training and experience
including rock / alpine climbing expeditions, cycle touring and worldwide trekking.
4. Can you provide past client references? Check out the company’s references. Travel companies
are no different from any other business. So if you’re unfamiliar with the prospective company,
check out their references. Check to see if they’re a reputable business, pay their bills on time,
and have been around long enough to trust.
You may contact Katherine Didier from Pembrook Travel.
Financial Strength
1. What assurances do you provide to protect the traveler’s investment?
We have a 100% positive track record of protecting pre-tour group investments. We are also
obliged to receive payments for travel products into our company account – listed with
UNICAJA Bank, Spain, and it is registered by law as a limited company account.
a. Can you supply business and banking references?
José Manuel Jiménez García.
Director sucursal - of. 0131-9
Unicaja Banco, S.A.U.
Movil - 638828073
952801288 952796230
jmjimgar@unicaja.es
b. Can you provide a list of your company’s travel industry memberships and affiliations?
Check out the company’s memberships and affiliations. Active memberships in
business, trade and governmental programs do not confer any assurance of a company’s
financial health (none presently perform financial audits). However, long-standing
memberships in some of the more established organizations do represent some level of
security, since the unscrupulous companies are eventually tossed out.
At present we are members of Spain´s FEDERACION DE TURISMO ACTIVO
ANDALUCIA.
c. Is your company a participant in a seller of travel/consumer protection program?
NO
Operations
1. How is the educational component delivered on your tours?
We focus on environmental and socio-cultural aspects of all locations we work in. Our guide
team is briefed to identify local projects of interest and share with the group. Additionally we
try to incorporate local guides, tourist officers and even local people on the ground that provide
further insight into their local region. We find that by incorporating local people, our groups
feel much more connected to the region (opposed to us simply arriving, telling the story, and
leaving again).
2. What is the typical caliber of your leaders? Can you provide leader references?
Our leaders are enthusiastic, muli-lingual and dynamic people that are quick thinking on their
feet and always put the needs of their clients first. Their enthusiasm is contagious because they
are very centered with the work they do.
3. What type of educational materials do you provide travelers prior to departure?
Depends on style of trip. We work with schools, clubs, organizations, companies and tourists
in general. For the most part, if requested we like to provide a full description of the region
(normally comes in the tour dossier), that outlines the country and answers questions you might
have about culture, customs, etc.
4. Does your company subcontract for services in the field? If so, what are the credentials of your
subcontractor(s)?
No, not normally, we are both OPERATOR and TOUR GUIDES and in this case definitely not.
5. What type of experience does your guides/field staff have? What type of certifications,
qualifications, training, etc. do they have?
On this expedition to the Azores, Matt Butler will be the trip leader (see notes on Matt above).
He is qualified as a leader under various British and Canadian schemes such as the Mountain
Leader Training Program, climbing single pitch leader, mountain first aid qualified, Physical
Education and Outdoor education qualified and experienced teacher.
6. Do you provide in-house air ticketing services?
Yes, on this program we are booking the internal flights between the islands of the Azores for
the group. The airline is Portuguese owned SATA airlines and we have done group flight
purchases with them on a similar routing before without any problems.
7. Do you have a risk management plan? YES
a. Do you have 24-hour on call operations staff? Yes, on call in our Spanish office
b. Does your field staff carry radios, phones, etc.? Yes, 2 way radio 5km walky talky and
cell phones with local tower coverage.
c. Do you provide 24-hour on call physician staffed medical assistance and evacuation
coverage for every trip participant? No, for this Azores tour we have direct access to 24
hour emergency hospital facilities on each island only. There are private doctors
available however that will do house calls direct to the hotel.
d. Do you have a formal medical policy concerning the screening of prospective trip
members? Yes, we will require information from each participant regarding one´s
personal health – only if deemed a risk to participate on such rigors as a hiking trip.
e. Do you have a policy concerning medical care delivered during a trip and the usage of
certain types of medical equipment (e.g., Gamov hyperbaric bags fir trips going to
altitude)? What kinds of health education materials do you provide each traveler? Yes,
we always need to know in advance all medical information / medication, etc. for all
participants who are deemed a risk to participate on a hiking trip. Once trip is
guaranteed to go, we submit these forms to your local leaders to compile this
information.
8. Do you have a social and environmental business practices operating policy?
Yes, Adventurebug is a big proponent of this. Adventurebug actively promotes the principles
of green tourism, fair trade and displays cultural sensitivity towards local guides, porters,
Sherpa, helpers, etc. Adventurebug is a co-founder of a Moroccan based NGO called Rifcom
(www.rifcom.org), which promotes a large number of education and rural tourism incentives in
north Africa.
9. What materials and guidelines do you provide for your clients, either prior to departure or
during the trip, to help them minimize the environmental and cultural impact of their visit?
Some guidelines are always found in our trip dossiers that each participant receives. Also,
during the first night orientation, we let the group know of local guidelines for waste disposal,
energy usage, cultural customs, etc.
10. How do you monitor the operations of your in-country operators regarding their environmental
and cultural practices?
We work side by side with them, however we play an actively subtle role on educating their
teams in areas of waste disposal, cultural sensitivity, communication with tourists, etc.
11. Does your company encourage travelers to become personally involved in the
conservation/preservation of the areas they visit? If so how?
Yes, all the time. We often do a small powerpoint presentation on our side projects and
volunteer efforts prior to the end of a tour. We also encourage travelers to BUY LOCALLY
made crafts and goods (that do not misuse nature), and to eat in restaurants / picnic lunches
where food has been locally supplied.
12. What are the main obstacles that you find in minimizing the environmental impact of your
business? Travel by coach / bus or any petrol burning device! Overuse of packaging for food
items on lunches. Group habits such as long personal showers, overuse of air conditioning,
heating and requesting daily towel changes is a challenge – especially in poor or dry countries.
Trash disposal in some countries is a real issue as well – as many of us know there is no real
trash management! Water bottle buying and overuse of this is a major issue – especially when
all European water is good to drink from the tap…
13. What environmental issues do you currently face with your tours, or in the areas that you visit?
Exactly as per above – with the addition of de-forestation, over cropping to meet demands of
incoming tourists and especially the poor waste management (both sewage and human trash).
Marketing Support
1. Can you offer assistance in the development of marketing and advertising materials
(copywriting, design, artwork/photography, production and printing)?
YES
2. Are you available to make presentations for constituent events/seminars?
Not in the USA, but over skype or conference call yes
Insurance/Legal
1. Do you have a pro-forma letter of agreement or memorandum of understanding?
Not as yet, waiting for approval of our TOUR ITINERARY and price / conditions first.
2. What are your terms and conditions? What are your terms in the event of a Department of State
advisory/warning?
Our booking terms and conditions are stated on the TOUR DOSSIER.
3. What are the upper limits of your liability insurance coverage? Our public liability insurance
covers 1,200,000.00 Euros a year (full amount for the company). We also have an obligation to
provide Accident Assistance insurance for all participants on every trip. This coverage is
limited to 6000€ medical cover per person and it´s designed by the Spanish Government as a
´safety´ net for clients. We are obliged to have this as part of our licensing conditions;
however, we expect that client´s utilize their own travel insurance for emergencies, illness and
accidents.
4. Can you add our organization as an additional insured to your policy?
Has not been asked of us before, we will look into the policy – as it is European Administered
this concept may require some interpretation.
5. How detailed is your Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk statement? Can you add
our organization to this form?
See below – and YES, we can add your organization to the form.
Adventurebug Worldwide Ltd.
REAT Tourism License AT/MA/00022 Company Registration B93050763
Apto. Correos 1031, 29680 Estepona, Malaga, SPAIN TEL (34) 952 894 308
BOOKING CONDITIONS
PAYMENT & BOOKING
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A deposit of 25% must be made at the time of booking followed by full payment 6 weeks prior to the
commencement of the program or tour. Payment can be made in the following methods:
Region
From the UK:
Method
a) Deposit or Transfer into our UK account
b) b) Banker's Cheque (in Euros)
c) International Money Transfer (in Euros)
From the US and a) Postal Order (in Euros)
Canada:
b) International Money Order (in Euros)
c) International Money Transfer (in Euros)
From the Rest of a) Bank Certified Cheque (in Euros)
the World:
b) International Money Transfer (in Euros)
c) Postal Money Order (in Euros)
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All payments WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED immediately by email (and / or writing if you prefer).
We reserve the right to cancel a booking should balance not be paid (see conditions below).
Although unusual, the Adventure Bug reserves the right to increase the price of a holiday if costs rise by
more than 5% due to circumstances beyond our control. However, no change in price will occur less
than 8 weeks before a tour begins. Should the price rise by more than 10%, you have the right to cancel
your booking within 7 days of the notification of this surcharge, and we will refund you completely.
No person under the age of 18 will be permitted to book with The Adventure Bug without the signature
of a parent or legal guardian.
CANCELLATIONS
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Any cancellation must be received in written form.
Should you need to cancel a holiday with The Adventure Bug, the following charges are applicable:
Period Before Holiday
More than 42 days
(6 weeks before)
Between 42 and 29 days
(4-6 weeks before)
Between 28 and 15 days
(3-4 weeks before)
Between 14 and 8 days
(2 weeks before)
Cancellation Charge:
Deposit only
30% of Holiday cost
50% of Holiday cost
100% of Holiday cost
______________________ Adventure
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Bug Booking Conditions – Page 2…
We advise you to take out insurance against irrecoverable cancellation costs.
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your holiday, we will refund you 100% or if you choose, offer
an alternative excursion of the same value (pending availability).
AMENDMENTS
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Transfer of a holiday to another person is permitted with written notification and after the total of the
holiday has been paid.
Itineraries with The Adventure Bug are somewhat flexible but designed for the comfort and security of all
guests. We are not responsible for guests who chose to leave or modify their tour.
We reserve the right to make route and hotel modifications as required. Written notice of this decision
will be provided to you beforehand.
INSURANCE & RESPONSIBILITY
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All guests on Adventure Bug Excursions must have personal insurance that covers the ACTUAL
ACTIVITY they are registering for – such as: mountain activities, cycle touring, expeditions, etc.
Insurance coverage should be self – arranged to cover emergency expatriation, health and medical
cover. We also recommend insurance for baggage and cancellation when traveling abroad.
We expect participants on our excursions to be reasonably fit and prepared for the activities they wish to
take part in.
All guests are required to sign a waiver and release of liability form prior to beginning their excursion.
COMPLAINTS

The Adventure Bug endeavors to provide holidays of the highest quality. However, if you feel the need
to express your dissatisfaction on any matter then please contact us in writing as soon as possible.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY

All participants and guides participating in an Adventure Bug and/or New Perspectives excursion must
sign the RELEASE of LIABILITY form (see below).
THE ADVENTURE BUG
Release of Liability and Assumption of All Risks
ADVENTURE BUG S.L. (Ltd) is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such
person, or of any other third party not under its control (lodging facilities, transportation companies,
food service providers, Licensed Guiding Activity companies, etc).
I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the trip designated on this application. I
am voluntarily participating in this trip with the knowledge of the numerous risks and dangers involved
including but not limited to: physical exertion (for which I am not prepared); forces of nature and any
acts of God; travel (in civilized or remote areas and by vehicle, bicycle, ski, animal, by foot or any
other form of active or adventure travel; war; civil unrest; terrorism; breakdown of equipment; high
altitude; accident or illness without access to means of rapid evacuation or availability of medical
supplies; the adequacy of medical attention once provided; or negligence on the part of ADVENTURE
BUG S.L.
I agree to follow all verbal and written rules of safety offered by staff of ADVENTURE BUG S.L. I
understand that the enjoyment of the activity(s) I am about to become involved in is derived in part
from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or
work, being a reason for my participation.
I HEARBY AGREE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN WELFARE AND ACCEPT ANY
AND ALL RISKS OF DELAY, UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF MY OWN
PERSONAL PROPERTY, ILLNESS, INJURY, EMOTIONAL, TRAUMA OR DEATH.
I acknowledge that as a lawful consideration and for being permitted to participate in this
such trip(s), I hear by RELEASE AND DISCHARGE ADVENTURE BUG S.L. FROM AND
AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TRIP.
I ADDITIONLLY RELEASE AND DISCHARGE ____YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME______
FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN
THE TRIP.
I agree that this release shall be legally binding upon me personally, all members of my family and all
minors travelling with me. I understand that ADVENTURE BUG S.L. reserves the right to refuse any
person it believes to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participation in the
activities.
EXCURSION
________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
________________________________________________
DATE
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