Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 26/01/26

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the use of the Hire4guides platform (“Platform”) by business entities, agencies, and tour operators (“Company” or “You”) seeking to book freelance tour guides (“Guides”). By accessing our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. The Nature of Our Service

Hire4guides provides a digital marketplace and booking management system.

  • Facilitation Only: We facilitate the connection between Companies and independent Freelance Guides.
  • No Employment Relationship: Hire4guides does not employ the Guides. Guides are independent contractors. We are not responsible for the direct supervision, control, or management of the Guides during their services.

2. Account Registration

To access the booking and calendar features, Companies must create a corporate account. You agree to:

  • Provide accurate and current business information.
  • Maintain the security of your login credentials.
  • Be responsible for all bookings made under your corporate account.

3. Booking and Calendar Integration

  • Real-Time Availability: The Platform displays the real-time availability of Guides. However, Hire4guides is not liable for technical discrepancies or last-minute schedule changes made by the Guide.
  • Binding Agreement: A booking is considered confirmed once the “Book” action is completed through the Platform and the Guide’s calendar is blocked.

4. Fees and Payment

  • Platform Fees: Hire4guides may charge a service fee for the use of the booking technology. All fees will be clearly displayed before checkout.
  • Payments: Companies agree to pay the rates specified in the Guide’s profile at the time of booking.
  • Taxes: The Company and the Guide are responsible for their respective tax obligations arising from the services rendered.

5. Cancellations and Refunds

  • Company Cancellations: Cancellations by the Company are subject to the specific cancellation policy selected by the Guide or the standard Platform policy up to 24-hour notice for a full refund.
  • Guide No-Shows: Hire4guides maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding unexcused “No-Shows” to ensure the highest level of professional integrity within our B2B network.

  • 1. Definition of a “No-Show”
  • A “No-Show” is defined as a Guide failing to arrive at the designated meeting point at the agreed-upon time without providing at least 24 hours’ prior notice to both the Agency and the Platform.
  • 2. Penalties and Sanctions
  • To protect the reputation of our professional community, the following actions will be taken in the event of a “No-Show”:
  • Immediate Suspension: The Guide’s “Verified” status will be immediately suspended, and their profile will be hidden from the public catalog pending a formal review.
  • Strike System: * First Offense: A formal warning and a “Reliability Alert” added to the internal profile. The Guide may be required to provide proof of “Force Majeure” (e.g., medical emergency) to be reinstated.
    • Second Offense: Permanent ban from the Hire4Guides platform.
  • Membership Forfeiture: In the event of a permanent ban due to a No-Show, any remaining balance of the Professional Membership Fee is strictly non-refundable.
  • 3. Compensation & Liability
  • Direct Settlement: Since the Guide receives payment directly from the Agency, any disputes regarding refunds of deposits or pre-payments must be settled between the Guide and the Agency.
  • Platform Role: While Hire4Guides is not legally liable for the Guide’s failure to appear, we reserve the right to share the Guide’s reliability history with affected Agencies to assist in their internal reporting.
  • 4. Excused Absences (Force Majeure)
  • We understand that emergencies happen. A “No-Show” may be excused if the Guide provides documented proof of an emergency (accident, sudden illness, or extreme weather conditions that make the activity impossible). In such cases, the Guide is expected to notify the Agency immediately to minimize the impact on the clients.

6. Event Organization and Liability

Hire4Guides acts solely as technology-based marketplace. The events listed are promoted by independent guides (promoters). To ensure the highest level of legal and technical security, every event booked through this platform is backed by a legally registered active tourism company that holds valid administrative licenses and civil liability and accident insurance policies. The guides acts as the technical leader and facilitator of the experience, while the legal responsability for carrying out the activiry rests with the partner operator. By making a reservation, the customer acknowledges that the contractual relationship for the activity is with said operator and the asigned guide, and releases Hire4Guides from any liability arising from the execution of the activity.

Legal Operational Liability: The Guide (Promoter) acknowledges and agrees that Hire4Guides is solely a technological paltform for connecting parties. The Guide declares under his or her own responsability that all published activities are backed by entity legally authorized to provide tourism services (Operating Company) and that it holds valid Civil Liability and Accident insurance as required by law. Hire4Guides is exempt from any liability arising from the inaccuracy of this information or from incidents occuring during the event.

7. Conduct and Professionalism

Companies agree to treat Guides with professional courtesy. Any reports of harassment, unsafe working conditions, or attempts to bypass the Platform to contact Guides directly (disintermediation) may result in immediate account termination.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Hire4guides shall not be liable for:

  • Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
  • The quality, safety, or legality of the tours provided by Freelance Guides.
  • Any disputes arising between the Company and the Guide regarding the execution of the tour.

9. Intellectual Property

All software, designs, and calendar interfaces are the property of Hire4guides . Companies are granted a limited, non-transferable license to use the Platform for internal business booking purposes only.

10. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

11. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Portugal/Madeira, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Contact Information

For legal inquiries regarding these Terms, please contact: info@hire4guides.com . Rua da Olaria Edif. Patio do Garajau Bloco 2, Apto 3AC, Caniço, Madeira, 9125-043