FAQ

there’s an answer to everything

 
 
 

General

 
 

  • 1) Select program

    2) Fill in booking form

    3) Pay deposit

    4) Before departure: book & update flight details for our airport pickup

    After program completion:-

    5) Comment on programs

    6) Award certificate

  • Yes, you may register together with family for programs which suitable for young children or for students / association. Customized & or escorted tour is available. Pls. contact us Debbie@gracefultours.org

  • Yes, with additional fee, you may upgrade your accommodation to air-con single room or for couples or for family, provided facility is available in the volunteering destination as these room are limited.

    We may arrange customized tour with hotel accommodation too. Pls. contact us Debbie@gracefultours.org

  • There is program for all age group. Pls. check “age group” under “country” search.

    Under age of 14 to be accompanied by adult (parents, teacher or guardian)

    Age from 14 to 18: Required parents’ consent letter)

    Age from 18 – 60: Eligible for all programs

    Age 60+: Health letter from Medical Doctor

  • Projects range from minimum 1 week in one program in one country to 12 months in different countries which may combine different projects.

  • Founder has Tour Escort Licence issued by Hong Kong Travel Industry Authority. (HK TIA)

    Type Licence # “20200248” in HK TIA web site to check: https://www.tia.org.hk/en/tour-escorts.html

    Graceful Tours (GT) escorted tour is governed by Hong Kong TIA’s Travel Industry Ordinance operate under licensed Travel Agent (Licence #. 354330)

    Type “Graceful Tours” in following HK TIA web site to check:

    https://www.tia.org.hk/en/travel-agents.html

  • Criminal Background Check

    All local program co-ordinators are screened with criminal background check.

    All participants joining any of our programs must submit a criminal background check.

    If the participant is unable to obtain a criminal background check, they can alternatively provide 2 character recommendation letters. The letters should fulfill the following guidelines:

    - The referee should be someone the participant has known for 1 year or longer in a professional or academic capacity (an employer, lecturer, colleague, etc.)

    - Covers a bit about the participant's background and character

    - Covers the capacity in which the referees know the participant, how long they have known you

    - It should be a written or typed on an official organization or company letterhead

    - It should include the referee's full contact details and signature

 

pricing

 

What is included in program fee?

Country & Program orientation, share accommodation, meals, local transport, local program co-ordinator, 7x24 emergency number & airport pickup (Take note of any remark under specific program)

What extra costs besides program fee?

Flight, Airport drop off, Insurance (mandatory), vaccination, Visa, tours, tips, souvenirs, pocket money, 3% international banking fee at point of payment, others not specified in "what's included"

Any travel fee from one program to another program?

Free if inland transfer within 600km; E.g. Inland transfer from Thailand program to Cambodia program (within 600km) by land transfer is included. Chargeable for transfer made by flight, transfer between islands, land transfer >600km and transfer between Ubud & Lovina in Indonesia

Will weekend accommodation be included in between programs?

Yes, volunteer enjoy weekend accommodation for weekends between different programs in different destinations.

 

Sustainability:

 

What are the good purpose of joining GT volunteering programs?

GT volunteering is a not-for-profit social enterprise with profit donated to purpose-for-good non-profit organisations. Governance of this process is performed by chartered accountant as an auditor to ensure social enterprise governance.

How sustainable are GT volunteering programs?

Most of our GT programs are linked with one UN SDG (United Nation Sustainability Development Goals), your participation will help you understand or help one of the UN SDG e.g. SDG’s Goal #1 : “poverty” through “Food kitchen” program in developing countries.

Can I carbon offset my flight so to reduce carbon footprint?

We strongly encourage volunteers to offset their volunteering program’s carbon footprint through GT’s Carbon Offset partners. Air travel is one of the largest share of our personal carbon footprint.

Please ‘Tick-the-Box’ for carbin offset when booking your flights directly via airline’s website. If not available, you may offset any airline’s flight carbon through following “Fly Greener” carbon offset programs: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/about-us/environment/fly-carbon-neutral-fly-greener/offset-your-flights.html longer period rather

How can I further reduce my carbon footprint?

If you plan to volunteer for 2 or 3 weeks or more, you are encouraged to join different programs in one country instead of flying to 2 or 3 countries, for 1 week each (minimum program length: 1 week) so to minimize carbon footprint through flying.

 

Cancellation

 

Can I cancel my bookings?

Bookings may be cancelled:

  • Contact GT by email 1 month before program start date: deduction of HK$500 Admins fee
  • Contact GT less than 1 month before program start date: charged for 100% of 1st week of the program fee.
  • Contact GT less than 2 weeks before program start date: no refund