Effective date: November 12, 2025
Last updated: December 10, 2025
1. Introduction — what are cookies?
We use cookies and similar technologies (collectively “cookies”) on exploretouristplaces.com to improve your browsing experience, measure site performance, remember your preferences, and show relevant advertising. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They can be “first-party” (set by this site) or “third-party” (set by external services we use).
2. Why we use cookies
We use cookies to:
- Make the site work (essential site functions such as navigation, security and forms).
- Remember preferences (language, region, layout).
- Measure and analyze site usage to improve content (analytics).
- Deliver and measure advertising and affiliate tracking (marketing/retargeting).
- Enable social media features (share buttons, embeds).
- Provide push notifications if you opt in.
3. Cookie categories and legal basis
- Essential / Strictly Necessary (no consent required): required for the site to function (e.g., session, load-balancer, anti-fraud). Legal basis: legitimate interest / necessary for contract.
- Preferences / Functional (consent required where applicable): remember settings and preferences. Legal basis: consent.
- Analytics / Performance (consent required where applicable): measure site usage (Google Analytics GA4). Legal basis: consent.
- Marketing / Advertising / Targeting (consent required): ad networks, retargeting and affiliate tracking (Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, programmatic). Legal basis: consent.
- Social Media / Embedded Content (consent required): social widgets that may set cookies via third parties. Legal basis: consent.
(Where local law/DPDPA permits, we will rely on consent for non-essential cookies. Necessary cookies do not require consent.)
4. Third-party cookies
Explore Tourist Places uses third-party services that may place cookies on your device when you visit our site (for analytics, advertising, social features, etc.). We do not control these third parties’ cookies. Please consult the third party’s privacy/cookie policy for details and opt-out choices. We list the most common third parties and their cookie purposes below.
5. Cookie table (declaration)
Below is a sample cookie table. You must update it with the exact cookie names your site sets. The table shows common cookies used by travel publishers; replace or augment entries as needed.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Type | First/Third party | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics (GA4) | Used to distinguish users for analytics and site insights | Analytics | First-party (via GA) | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Used to distinguish users | Analytics | First-party | 24 hours |
_gat / gac_ | Google Analytics / Google Ads | Throttles request rate / tracks campaign data | Analytics/Advertising | First-party | 1 minute / 90 days |
_fbp | Facebook / Meta Pixel | Used by Facebook to deliver ads or measure campaign effectiveness | Marketing | Third-party | 90 days |
fr | Used by Facebook for advertising and site analytics | Marketing | Third-party | 90 days | |
IDE | Google DoubleClick | Used for advertising | Marketing | Third-party | 1 year |
_gcl_au | Google AdSense | Used to measure ad conversions | Advertising | Third-party | 90 days |
push_token | Webpushr | Stores device token for push notifications | Functional | First-party | Until unsubscribed |
sessionid | Site session | Keeps session/auth state | Essential | First-party | Session |
6. How we obtain consent
On first visit we display a cookie consent banner that:
- Explains cookie categories in plain language;
- Allows users to accept All Cookies, Reject Non-Essential, or Manage Preferences (granular toggles for Analytics, Marketing, Functional, Social);
- Blocks non-essential scripts (analytics, marketing, social widgets) until consent is given; and
- Records and stores consent metadata (timestamp, IP, browser, consent choices) for audit purposes.
We honour Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where possible and respect Do Not Track (DNT) preferences as an additional signal. We do not set non-essential cookies if you have rejected them.
7. How to change or withdraw consent
You can change your cookie preferences at any time via:
- The “Cookie Settings” link in the site footer, or
- Clearing cookies in your browser (see browser instructions below), or
- Using the privacy controls in your browser or device.
If you withdraw consent for a category (e.g., Analytics), related cookies will be deleted or blocked and future data collection for that category will stop. Note: withdrawing consent may affect site functionality or your saved preferences.
8. Opting out of targeted advertising
To opt out of interest-based ads and personalised marketing from major providers, visit:
- Google Ads Settings — manage ad personalization and opt-out of personalized ads.
- Facebook / Meta Ad Preferences — control how Facebook uses data for ads.
- YourAdChoices / DAA — industry opt-out tool for many networks (in supported countries).
- For mobile advertising, use device controls (iOS/Android ad preferences).
(We also provide links to partner opt-out pages where available.)
9. CCPA / “Do not sell or share” (California)
If you are a California resident, you may have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information for advertising. We treat cross-site behavioral advertising and certain data sharing as “sharing” under CCPA. To exercise this right, use our Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information form at /do-not-sell (or click the footer link). We will process verified requests in accordance with applicable law.
10. Data retention & deletion
Cookie data retention varies by cookie and provider (see cookie table). For first-party consent logs we retain consent records for at least 3 years to demonstrate compliance. Analytics data retention is typically 14–26 months (depending on configuration) unless aggregated or anonymized earlier.
11. Children
Our site is not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will remove it.
12. Third-party partners & their policies
We use third-party services (e.g., Google, Meta, ad networks, affiliate partners). These providers have their own cookies and privacy practices. Below are links (examples) — update with exact partners you use:
- Google: Ads, Analytics, Tag Manager — https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
- Facebook/Meta: Pixel & Ads — https://www.facebook.com/policy.php
13. Consequences of disabling cookies
If you block or delete cookies you may:
- Not remain signed in to features;
- See less personalised content or advertising;
- Experience slower page load for features that rely on cookies;
- Lose saved preferences (language, region, etc.).
14. How to manage cookies in your browser
You can control cookies via your browser settings. Common steps:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data.
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data.
- Safari (macOS/iOS): Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data.
- Edge: Settings → Site permissions → Cookies and site data.
See your browser’s help pages for exact instructions. Clearing cookies will remove consent; you may need to reselect preferences.
15. Global Privacy Control (GPC) & Do Not Track (DNT)
We recognise GPC signals (where technically feasible) and will treat them as a choice to opt out of sale/sharing and personalized ads. DNT signals are honoured as an additional preference where supported, but DNT adoption is inconsistent across browsers and vendors.
16. How we secure cookie data
We store consent logs and cookie-related records securely, apply access controls, and only share data with processors under contract. We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect cookie data from unauthorized access.
17. Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in law or our cookies. The “Last updated” date will be revised. Significant changes affecting consent will be presented to users for renewed consent.
18. Contact
For questions about this Cookie Policy, cookie scanning results, or to request details of cookies we set, contact: contact@exploretouristplaces.com or use our Contact page at https://exploretouristplaces.com/contact.