Privacy Policy
Last updated: 1 January 2025
1. 1. Data Controller
Switzerland Tours, with registered office at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, is the data controller for your personal data within the meaning of the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP, SR 235.1), which entered into force on 1 September 2023, as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union where applicable. For any questions regarding the protection of your data, you may contact us via the contact form on our website or by post at the above address.
2. 2. Data Collected and Processing Purposes
Switzerland Tours collects and processes the following personal data: identification data (surname, first name, date of birth), contact details (email address, telephone number, postal address), payment data (processed securely via our PCI-DSS certified providers), dietary preferences and relevant medical information provided voluntarily, as well as browsing data on our website (cookies, IP address). This data is processed for the following purposes: management of bookings and contract performance, tour-related communications, improvement of our services, sending of marketing communications (with consent), and legal and accounting obligations.
3. 3. Legal Basis for Processing
The processing of your personal data is based on the following legal grounds in accordance with the FADP and the GDPR: performance of the contract (booking and provision of the tour), compliance with legal obligations (accounting, taxation), our legitimate interest (improvement of our services, fraud prevention) and your explicit consent for sensitive data (medical information, allergies) as well as for sending marketing communications. You may withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.
4. 4. Data Retention and Security
Your personal data is retained for the period necessary for the performance of the contract and for an additional period of 10 years to satisfy the legal accounting and tax retention obligations under Swiss law. Marketing-related data is retained until you withdraw your consent. Switzerland Tours implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against any unauthorised access, loss, destruction or disclosure, including SSL encryption, restricted access and a robust password policy.
5. 5. Sharing of Data with Third Parties
Switzerland Tours may share your personal data with third parties in the following cases: technical service providers involved in delivering the tour (hotels, transport companies, independent guides), IT service providers (hosting, booking system, payment gateway) bound by strict confidentiality obligations, and competent authorities when required by law. Switzerland Tours never sells, rents or transfers your personal data to third parties for commercial purposes without your prior explicit consent.
6. 6. Your Rights
In accordance with the revised FADP and, where applicable, the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data: right of access, right of rectification, right to erasure ('right to be forgotten'), right to restriction of processing, right to data portability and right to object. To exercise these rights, please submit your request via the contact form on our website or by post to our address, enclosing a copy of your identity document. We undertake to respond within 30 days. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).
7. 7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The website tours-switzerland.ch uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure the proper functioning of the site, remember your preferences, analyse your browsing (Google Analytics, anonymised) and, with your consent, serve targeted advertising. You can manage your cookie preferences via our consent banner on your first visit or at any time in the site settings. Refusing non-essential cookies does not affect your ability to book a tour on our site.
8. 8. Changes to the Privacy Policy
Switzerland Tours reserves the right to amend this privacy policy at any time, in particular to comply with changes in applicable legislation. The version in force is the one published on our website at the time of your consultation. In the event of a substantial change affecting the rights of data subjects, we will inform you by email with reasonable notice. Continued use of our website after notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.