Travel should be a respectful, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone. The Traveller Conduct Policy is intended to set standards for travelers to follow on their tour. In addition to compliance with applicable laws in any destination a traveler may visit, travelers are expected to comply with this policy for the safety, security, and enjoyment of all.
Why have a Traveller Conduct Policy?
Mint is proud of our reputation as a world leader in snow travel, and we work hard to make sure we stay there. We’re a community of diverse individuals united by a profound respect for, and enthusiastic belief in, our values, each other and the areas we operate. Tourism is about respecting people, places, and cultures and requires mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies.
Respecting people
Travelers are expected to respect others. This includes other travelers, Mint staff, third-party service providers and the local people and cultures in the destinations they visit.
When traveling, keep the following in mind:
- Be aware of your own cultural values, biases, and how they impact your judgment of others.
- You do not have to agree with the opinions or beliefs of others but you must be respectful of them.
Respect places and cultures
You may be visiting sites that are holy or significant places within local culture. When visiting a place, please do not forget its primary purpose and respect its meaning to others who are present. Ask about and respect dress codes. Ensure that you have permission before taking photographs of people, and that it is appropriate to take photos in holy or significant places. Respect local communities and be mindful of noise levels, especially in residential areas and at night. Set an example for other travelers.
Illegal drugs and alcohol
Travellers are responsible for their actions at all times. Consuming alcohol in excess impairs your judgment and reduces your ability to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Travelers who choose to consume alcohol do so at their own risk. Excess alcohol consumption and abuse of drugs or other controlled substances, whether legal or illegal, that puts you, other travelers or Mint staff at risk, is grounds for removal from a tour. Use and possession of illegal drugs and other illegal substances is prohibited. Travelers who abuse illegal substances are subject to arrest and prosecution under applicable laws and removal from their tour.
Abusive behavior or violence
We can remove you from a tour immediately if we witness abusive or violent behavior or receive a report that you are behaving in an abusive or violent manner. This includes: using abusive, threatening, or offensive language towards others, uninvited physical contact, solicitation, harassment, vandalism, theft, violence, possession of illegal substances/items, or any other illegal or offensive conduct.
Physical relationships between staff and travelers is prohibited
Mint staff are prohibited from engaging in physical relationships with travelers. Mint’s staff are friendly, outgoing, and strive to provide amazing service. We hire great people, and it’s their job to be helpful and ensure that each traveler has a great experience. Respecting the boundaries between staff and travelers is important for the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
Sexual Misconduct
Mint reserves the right to remove you from your tour if we witness any form of sexual misconduct or receive a report or allegations that you have engaged in any form of sexual misconduct. This includes but is not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual violence, nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. When traveling, do not enter another traveler’s room unless you are invited to do so.
Safety and security
Travelers should immediately report any concerns about safety, security, or unsafe or illegal behavior to their guide. If you fail to immediately report these concerns this may delay our ability to respond to the situation.
Practice good health & hygiene
Travelers are expected to practice good health and hygiene routines individually and collectively. These include, but are not limited to, the following; frequent hand washing, sneezing into your elbow, physical distancing measures if instructed by your guide or local authorities, and proper use of personal protective equipment (masks, hand sanitizer etc) when required as per local regulations. Should any traveler exhibit symptoms or behaviors deemed concerning, we reserve the right to require appropriate medical assessment, including Covid testing, and to isolate or remove the individual(s) from the tour as a precautionary measure for the safety of the group and to allow us to assist the individual(s) in receiving medical and other help as appropriate.
Consequences
If a traveler fails to adhere to this policy and we determine, in our discretion, that there is a concern for the safety, security, or well-being of others, Mint may remove the traveler from a tour immediately. Mint may also report incidents to local authorities and seek other legal action where appropriate. Travelers removed from a tour for failure to adhere to this Traveller Conduct Policy are responsible for all costs related to their removal including accommodations and transportation home at their own expense. No refunds will be issued if you are removed from a tour because of a violation of this Traveller Conduct Policy.