Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using HostSG ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must discontinue use of the Platform immediately.

HostSG reserves the right to update these terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. Material changes will be communicated via email or in-app notification at least 30 days in advance.

2. Eligibility & Account Registration

To use HostSG, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Provide accurate, current, and complete registration information.
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your account credentials.
• For hosts: Successfully complete identity verification through Singpass MyInfo (Singapore) or equivalent government-issued identification.

You are solely responsible for all activities that occur under your account.

3. Platform Services

HostSG provides a marketplace connecting travelers with verified local tour guides ("Hosts"). Our services include:

• Host discovery and booking facilitation.
• Milestone-based escrow payment processing.
• Identity verification through government databases.
• In-app communication, GPS tracking during tours, and safety features.
• Review and rating systems for quality assurance.

HostSG acts as an intermediary platform and is not a party to the service agreement between travelers and hosts.

4. Booking & Cancellation

Booking Confirmation

A booking is confirmed once the traveler's payment is successfully deposited into the milestone escrow vault. Both parties will receive confirmation via email and in-app notification.

Cancellation by Traveler

• 48+ hours before tour: Full refund of all escrowed funds.
• 24–48 hours before tour: 85% refund; 15% retained as host compensation.
• Less than 24 hours: 50% refund; 50% released to host.

Cancellation by Host

Hosts who cancel confirmed bookings will have their reliability rating affected. Repeat cancellations may result in temporary or permanent suspension.

5. Milestone Escrow Payments

All payments are processed through our bank-grade milestone escrow system:

• Milestone 1 (30%): Released upon GPS-verified meetup between traveler and host.
• Milestone 2 (40%): Released at the mid-tour checkpoint.
• Milestone 3 (30%): Released upon tour completion and traveler confirmation.

HostSG charges a platform service fee of 12% on each booking, deducted from the host's total payout. For detailed escrow terms, see our Escrow Agreement.

6. Host Responsibilities

Verified hosts agree to:

• Provide accurate tour descriptions, itineraries, and pricing.
• Arrive on time and deliver the experience as described.
• Maintain valid government identification and verification status.
• Complete pre-tour biometric liveness verification when required.
• Comply with all applicable Singapore laws, including STB licensing requirements.
• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times.

7. Traveler Responsibilities

Travelers using HostSG agree to:

• Provide accurate booking information and travel details.
• Arrive at the designated meetup point on time.
• Treat hosts with respect and follow safety guidelines.
• Confirm milestone completions honestly and in good faith.
• Report any safety concerns or issues promptly through the app.

8. Prohibited Conduct

The following activities are strictly prohibited on HostSG:

• Providing false identity information or impersonating another person.
• Attempting to circumvent the escrow system with off-platform payments.
• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward any user.
• Fraudulent reviews, ratings manipulation, or fake bookings.
• Using the platform for illegal activities or services.
• Scraping, data mining, or unauthorized automated access to the platform.

9. Intellectual Property

All content, trademarks, logos, and intellectual property on HostSG belong to HostSG Pte. Ltd. or their respective owners. Users may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without prior written consent.

By posting reviews, photos, or content on HostSG, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use such content for platform promotion and improvement purposes.

10. Limitation of Liability

HostSG provides the platform on an "as is" basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• HostSG is not liable for the actions, omissions, or negligence of hosts or travelers.
• Our total liability shall not exceed the amount paid by you in the 12 months preceding the claim.
• We are not responsible for force majeure events, third-party service outages, or circumstances beyond our control.

11. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute:

1. In-App Resolution: Both parties are encouraged to resolve disputes through our in-app mediation system.
2. HostSG Mediation: If unresolved, HostSG's dispute resolution team will review the case and make a binding decision regarding escrowed funds.
3. Arbitration: Disputes not resolved through mediation may be submitted to binding arbitration under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) rules.

12. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Singapore. Any legal proceedings shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Singapore courts.