Privacy Policy

AIEST General Privacy Policy

This privacy policy explains how the Association Internationale d'Experts Scientifiques du Tourisme (AIEST) processes your personal data and outlines the rights to which you are entitled. This policy provides general information applicable in most situations and may be supplemented by more specific notices where appropriate.

The protection of your personal data is ensured by AIEST in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

 

1. Identity of the Data Controller

AIEST is the data controller responsible for the processing of your personal data. For any questions relating to data protection or the processing of your personal data, you may contact: Email: info@aiest.org

 

2. Data Collected, Stored and Processed

AIEST processes personal data depending on the category of user.

a) Members (individual members, representatives of institutional members)

  • Personal Data: first name, surname, gender (optional), email address, telephone number (optional), postal address
  • Professional Data: affiliated institution or organisation, position/title (optional), professional address (optional), expertise description, CV
  • Membership Data: membership status, membership history, participation in AIEST events, committees or governance bodies
  • Account Data: password (in encrypted form)
  • Date of last login
  • Acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions
  • Acceptance of this Privacy Policy

Additional documents may be requested when registering for conferences, scientific meetings, working groups, or governance roles (e.g., short biography, institutional confirmation). Such documents are stored only as long as necessary (see Section 7).

b) Event Participants (non-members)

  • Personal Data: first name, surname, email address, telephone number (optional), country of residence, postal address
  • Professional/Academic Data: organisation or institution, position/title (optional), postal address (if needed for invoice)
  • Account Data (if applicable): password (in encrypted form)
  • Event registration details
  • Acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions
  • Acceptance of this Privacy Policy

c) Visitors

Visitors may access publicly available sections of the AIEST website without registration. No personal data is collected solely for browsing publicly accessible content, except for technical data automatically collected for security and operational purposes (e.g., server logs).

 

3. Purpose and Legal Basis of Processing

Personal data is processed primarily to fulfil AIEST’s mission as an international non-profit association serving its members in the field of tourism. In particular, data is processed to:

  •      Administer memberships and maintain the member directory
  •      Organise and manage conferences, scientific meetings, working groups and other AIEST events
  •      Facilitate communication between members and within AIEST bodies (e.g., Board of Directors, committees)
  •      Provide access to member services and digital platforms
  •      Process event registrations and participation
  •      Ensure proper governance and organisational management

Certain data may also be processed for statistical and organisational purposes, based on AIEST’s legitimate interests in ensuring the effective functioning, development, and improvement of its services. Where required by applicable law, processing is based on the data subject’s consent, contractual necessity (e.g., membership or event participation), compliance with legal obligations, or AIEST’s legitimate interests as a non-profit association.

 

4. Use of Data

Personal data is used solely for the purposes described above. Contact details may be used to communicate with members and registered users regarding:

  • Membership matters
  • Conferences and events
  • Organisational updates
  • Governance-related communications
  • News and activities connected to AIEST’s mission

AIEST does not sell personal data to third parties.

 

5. Place of Processing

Personal data is processed in Switzerland and/or in jurisdictions that ensure an adequate level of data protection in accordance with applicable law.

 

6. Disclosure of Data to Third Parties

The data processed on the Platform is not communicated to third-parties, with the exception of those duly commissioned by AIEST to assist in the delivery the service, in particular Talentwerk AG in St-Gallen, who host the website. Information related to a particular individual is never communicated to third parties without his/her explicit consent, except if required by law

 

7. Data Retention Period

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described above.

  • Members: Data is retained for the duration of membership and up to five (5) years after membership ends, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
  • Event participants (non-members): Data is retained for up to three (3) years after the relevant event.

The data not subject to legal obligations imposing a longer retention period will be deleted after that period.

 

8. Security

AIEST ensures the security of personal data of registered users by implementing appropriate technical and organisational measures to prevent any accidental or intentional manipulation, loss, destruction, communication of data or unauthorised access to it. These measures are in line with the state of the art with regards to the risks incurred.

 

9. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights:

  • Right of access: You have the right to know what personal data is kept about you on the website and to ask (in writing) to see a copy.
  • Right to be informed: You have the right to be informed about how your personal data is used.
  • Right to withdraw consent: When your personal data is processed with your consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time
  • Right to oppose the transfer of personal data: You have the right to oppose the transfer of specific personal data, to the condition that you prove legitimate interest.
  • Right of rectification: If you believe your personal data is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to ask for it to be rectified or completed.

Requests to exercise your rights may be addressed to: info@aiest.org. Proof of identity may be required. The data controller reserves the right to refuse any request that is considered abusive or contrary to the law.

This privacy policy may be updated at any time. The updated policy will be made available on the AIEST website. Where required, users will be informed and asked to provide renewed consent.

 

23 February 2026