GTC Events, Courses & Seminars
1. Scope of application
These terms and conditions (hereinafter referred to as «GTCs») apply to all events at Zoo Zurich and to all other related services provided by Zoo Zürich AG and Zoo Restaurants GmbH (hereinafter referred to as «Zoo Zurich»). These GTCs also apply to events which are not explicitly mentioned below. Furthermore, the GTCs also apply to guided tours, courses and seminars offered by Zoo Zürich AG.
General terms and conditions or similar conditions of the organizer shall only apply if they have been explicitly accepted by Zoo Zurich in writing.
Should individual provisions of these GTCs prove to be invalid or unenforceable or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
The version of the GTCs at the time of the conclusion of the contract shall apply.
In addition to these GTCs, the general terms and conditions of Zoo Zurich (for stays on the Zoo premises and ticket regulations) as well as the «GTCs Zoo Zurich Online Shop» apply when ordering events, courses and seminars via the Zoo Zurich website.
2. General provisions on events and courses/seminars
The contract between the organizer or the participants of the guided tour, course or seminar and Zoo Zurich shall only be concluded upon written confirmation of the order by Zoo Zurich. Written confirmation may also be provided electronically. If services are ordered verbally at the designated points of sale, the contract shall come into effect upon the unconditional acceptance of the order on site by Zoo Zurich. These GTCs shall form an integral part of the contract and shall be deemed accepted upon delivery of the order confirmation. Verbal agreements or commitments require written confirmation by Zoo Zurich in order to be valid.
The contract regulates the exact scope of the services to be provided by each party. Registrations or reservations of the organizer or participants of guided tours, courses or seminars become binding with the order confirmation. In case of contradictions between these GTCs and the concluded contract, the contract shall prevail.
The description of services for events, guided tours, seminars and courses on the Zoo Zurich website does not constitute a binding offer by Zoo Zurich. In case of discrepancies between the descriptions on the website and the scope of services according to the order confirmation, the order confirmation shall take precedence.
Various locations (animal houses, aperitif stands, restaurants) can be rented for aperitifs and banquets, workshops can be held at Zoo Zurich and guided tours can be booked.
All guests present at the event pay for the guided tour, even if they did not participate.
Zoo Zurich attaches great importance to keeping the animals as close to nature as possible. This allows them to choose for themselves where they want to be in their enclosure. No guarantee is given that the animals will be near the guests at aperitifs, banquets, etc.
For organizational reasons, Zoo Zurich reserves the right to postpone or combine guided tours, courses and seminars in consultation with the registered persons. Persons who are unable to attend the event as a result will be refunded the guided tour, seminar or course fees already paid. If the Zoo guide, course or seminar leader drops out, a change can be made. A minimum and a maximum number of participants is determined for each offer. Course and seminar places are allocated in the order in which registrations are received, subject to timely payment. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the course or seminar can usually not be held and the course fee will be waived or refunded.
Upon request, a confirmation will be issued to the participants after attending a course or seminar. The condition for this is that the course or seminar must have taken place no longer than one year ago.
3. Prices and conditions
3.1 Prices
The current price list of Zoo Zurich on the website Zoo.ch applies. The price list does not constitute a binding offer by Zoo Zurich. Zoo Zurich reserves the right to adjust the price list at any time. The prices at the time of the order confirmation by Zoo Zurich shall apply.
Free tickets and annual passes are not valid for event performances.
3.2 Payment method
Zoo Zurich has the right at any time to demand a deposit in the amount of the expected total sale, payable upon signing of the contract. The remaining amount is due for payment within 30 days after receipt of the final invoice (maturity date).
In the event of late payment, Zoo Zurich shall be entitled to charge interest on arrears at a rate of 5% from the due date without further reminder.
For courses and seminars, oral or written registration is binding and obligates the participant to pay the course fee. Non-payment of the course fee is not considered a cancellation
4. Regulation in the event of changes in the number of participants
4.1 Group tours
Changes in the number of participants must be communicated in writing at least two weeks before the guided tour. After this date, if the number of participants decreases, resulting in a reduction in the number of Zoo keepers scheduled, the cost of the Zoo keepers no longer needed will be charged. If desired, the original number of Zoo keepers can be maintained for the smaller number of participants.
4.2 Workshop/mini trek/children's birthday party
Changes in the number of participants must be communicated in writing at least two weeks before the event.
4.3 Catering restaurants, animal houses and nature workshop
The number of persons listed in the written order confirmation is the basis for calculating the costs and is binding. The organizer is obliged to inform Zoo Zurich of the definitive number of participants 72 hours before the event. The organizer is entitled to deviate from the confirmed number of persons up to a maximum of 20% up to 72 hours before the event. In this case, Zoo Zurich will charge the costs for the changed, actual number of persons.
Until 12 noon on the day before the event, Zoo Zurich will accept a difference of 5% of the definitive number of persons. In the event of an increase in the number of persons, Zoo Zurich is entitled to charge the costs for the actual number of persons. In the event of a reduction in the number of persons, the organizer will be charged the costs for the agreed number of persons, but at least the costs for the minimum consumption according to the order confirmation.
5. Rebookings
5.1 Anxiety seminar, photography course, experience voucher, night walk as well as other seminars and courses organized by Zoo Zurich
Rebookings are possible up to four weeks before the agreed date and subject to availability and cost Fr. 50.
The same applies to groups who have booked a seminar or course, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
5.2 Public tour, workshop, children's birthday party, mini trek
Rebookings are possible up to 15 days before the tour and cost Fr. 50. After that, the cancellation conditions apply (see Clause 6).
5.3 School offers: Guided tours & workshops
Rebookings are possible up to 15 days before the tour and are subject to an administration fee of CHF 20. After this date, the cancellation conditions apply (see Clause 6).
6. Rescission of the contract
If the definitively confirmed event is canceled, it must be canceled in writing as soon as possible. Cancellations must be made in writing to the event team (event@Zoo.ch). Cancellations at short notice on weekends, holidays as well as afternoons for the same evening must be made by calling +41 44 254 25 00. If the cancellation also affects restaurant services (aperitif/food), this must also be reported directly to the restaurant by calling +41 44 254 26 52. If the cancellation concerns a school offer, it must be made in writing to the school service (schule@zoo.ch).
The cost implications are determined as follows, whereby the receipt of the written cancellation via the aforementioned channels is decisive:
6.1 Anxiety seminar, photography course, experience voucher as well as other seminars and courses organized by Zoo Zurich
If participation in a photography course, anxiety seminar or group course/seminar is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the participant is obliged to reimburse the following costs:
- until 30th day before event date: Fr. 100
- from 29th -– 15 day: 50% of the lost revenue
- from 14th day: 100% of the lost revenue, but at least Fr. 100.
6.2 Other seminars and courses
If participation in a course or seminar is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich (except for the anxiety seminar, cf. Clause 6.1. and the events mentioned in Clause 6.3 et seq. below), the participant is obliged to reimburse the following costs:
- until 30th day before event date: Fr. 50
- from 29th – 15 day: 50% of the lost course revenue, but at least Fr. 50.
- from 14th day: 100 % of the lost course revenue, but at least Fr. 50.
6.3 Guided tour, workshop, children's birthday party, mini trek
If participation in the events mentioned in the title is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the participant undertakes to reimburse the following costs:
- until 15th day before event date: Fr. 100
- from 14th – 8th day: 50% of the lost revenue
- from 7th – 1 day: 75% of the lost revenue
- on the day of the guided tour: 100% of the lost revenue, but at least Fr. 100.
The basis of calculation for the lost revenue is in each case the revenue recorded in the order confirmation.
6.4 Night walks
If participation in the events mentioned in the title is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the participant undertakes to reimburse the following costs:
- until 28th day before event date: Fr. 100
- from 27th – 14th day: 50% of the lost revenue
- from 13th – 8th day: 75% of the lost revenue
- from 7th day: 100% of the lost revenue, but at least Fr. 100.
6.5 Rent restaurants, animal houses, nature workshop, Zoolino
If the booked event is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the organizer of the event at the Zoo undertakes to reimburse the following costs:
- until 90th day before event date: Fr. 100
- from 89th – 15th day: 10% of the lost rental
- from 14th – 5th day: 50% of the lost rental
- from 4th day: 100% of the lost rental, but at least Fr. 100.
6.6 Catering (restaurants, animal houses and nature workshop, Zoolino)
If the booked event is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the organizer of the event at the Zoo undertakes to reimburse the following costs:
- until 90th day before event date: Fr. 100 (for rebookings Fr. 50)
- from 89th – 30th day: 10% of lost revenue without beverages
- from 29th – 15 day: 15% of lost revenue without beverages
- from 14th – 5th day: 50% of lost revenue without beverages
- from 4th day: 100% of lost revenue without beverages
The basis of calculation for the lost revenue is in each case the revenue recorded in the order confirmation with the minimum prices per menu.
6.7 Delays to guided tours, seminars and courses
In case of delays to guided tours of up to 20 minutes, the late arrival time will be deducted from the booked tour time. In case of delays of more than 20 minutes, the tour is canceled completely and will be charged at 100% according to the order confirmation.
If a group is late for a seminar/course they have booked, the following procedure will be followed: For delays up to 20 minutes, the late arrival time will be deducted from the booked event time. In case of delays of more than 20 minutes, the event will be canceled completely and will be charged at 100% according to the order confirmation.
In the case of courses and seminars with individuals, it is mandatory that the latter arrive on time at the agreed meeting point. At most, it is possible to wait a maximum of 5 minutes, after which the event will start. The costs for the seminar/course will be invoiced at 100% according to the order confirmation.
Seminars/courses not attended cannot be made up and will not be refunded or invoiced at 100% according to the order confirmation.
6.8 Experience voucher
If the experience voucher is canceled for reasons beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, the experience voucher shall be forfeited. The participant is not entitled to an alternative date or a refund.
6.9 School offers: Guided tours & workshops
If participation in school offers is cancelled for reasons beyond the Zoo's control, the organiser (the school) is obliged to reimburse the following costs:
- until 15th day before event date: Fr. 20
- from 14th – 4th day: Fr. 50
- from 3rd day: 100% of lost revenue.
The calculation basis for the lost turnover is in each case the turnover recorded in the order confirmation.
7. Cancellation by Zoo Zurich
If Zoo Zurich has reason to believe that the booked event will jeopardize the smooth operation of the business, safety or reputation of the establishment, the event may be canceled at any time without compensation or the program may be modified at its discretion.
The same applies in the event of cancellation due to force majeure (see Clause 16 below).
If the event, guided tour, seminar or course has to be canceled or changed for reasons for which Zoo Zurich is responsible, any payments already made will be refunded to the organizer or participants. The liability for damages caused to the organizer or the participants is determined according to Clause 11.
8. HOspitality, music, artists and lighting
The organizer obtains all catering services from Zoo Restaurants GmbH. The organizer or the event participants are not allowed to bring food and drinks to events. Exceptions require prior written approval from Zoo Zurich.
Musical or other artistic performances are not permitted in animal houses or outside locations of animal areas. After prior written consultation with Zoo Zurich, various locations (indoor and outdoor) in Zoo Zurich are available for this purpose. Instructions from the Zoo staff regarding admissible volume levels must be followed. Exceptions are only possible after prior written approval by Zoo Zurich.
Any copyright compensation in connection with musical performances must be registered and paid by the organizer itself.
9. rules for use
The basic facilities for aperitifs, banquets and workshops are provided by Zoo Zurich. Everything else must be arranged in advance with Zoo Zurich.
Checkrooms are available for guests in the animal houses and restaurants. Zoo Zurich assumes no liability for this.
The use of the organizer's own electrical equipment requires the prior written consent of Zoo Zurich.
Any necessary official permits for the event must be obtained by the organizer in good time at his own expense. The organizer is responsible for compliance with public law requirements and other regulations as well as the orders of Zoo Zurich. In special cases, permits may be obtained by Zoo Zurich, in which case all related costs will be charged to the organizer.
Deliveries of external material are made in winter (Nov.-Feb.) from 17:00 and in summer (March-Oct.) from 18:00 exclusively via the company roads. There are no lifting platforms, ladders or other means of transport. Dismantling must take place after the event or the next morning before 8:30 am. Transport by vehicle within the Zoo premises requires a permit from Zoo Zurich and must be announced in good time.
Cleaning of the premises is included in the rental costs and is organized by Zoo Zurich.
Participants in events, guided tours, seminars and courses must observe the instructions for use, operating manuals and instructions of the Zoo staff. If they fail to do so, the Zoo staff may exclude them from using the facility or expel them from the Zoo grounds, without this giving rise to any claim for compensation. Zoo Zurich shall not be liable for any damage caused by infringements or non-observance of the information, instructions or directions.
For reasons of fire safety, fireworks of any kind and open fires must be avoided on the entire Zoo grounds. Smoking is permitted outdoors or in designated «smoking zones» at Zoo Zurich. Out of consideration for animals and Zoo visitors, smoking is prohibited in all buildings and animal houses and at the entrances to Zoo Zurich, the animal houses and the Zoo restaurants, as well as in walk-in animal enclosures in the outdoor area (Outdoor Enclosure Australia, Monkey Island, Ibis Aviary, Grey Parrot Aviary, Goat Enclosure in Zoolino). This also applies to e-cigarettes or vaporizers, which are used to inhale tobacco rather than smoke it.
When using playground equipment, play areas, the petting Zoo and similar facilities, age restrictions and usage instructions must be strictly observed. Zoo Zurich assumes no liability for damage caused by infringement or otherwise improper use, unless the damage was caused intentionally or by gross negligence due to incorrect instructions for use or improper condition of the facility.
No advertising or logos may be placed in Zoo Zurich unless the entire Zoo Zurich is rented or the event takes place exclusively after the Zoo closes. In any case, the consent of Zoo Zurich is required.
Parking is only allowed in the defined and marked parking spaces. Vehicles of suppliers, event organizers and visitors are to be parked in the public parking areas around Zoo Zurich. Unauthorized parked vehicles will be towed away at the owner's expense. No safe custody agreement is concluded. Zoo Zurich is not subject to a monitoring obligation. Zoo Zurich shall not be liable for loss of or damage to vehicles and their contents, unless Zoo Zurich, its legal representatives or its auxiliary persons are responsible for intent or gross negligence.
The use of non-Zoo vehicles of any kind on the premises of Zoo Zurich is only permitted with exceptions and after consultation with Zoo Zurich. All buildings may only be entered by Zoo staff members or by persons accredited by the Zoo. Riding bicycles, impellers (LIKEaBIKE), kickboards, inline skates, skateboards, etc. is prohibited. Playing with balls, flying discs, balloons and the like is also prohibited.
In the interest of safety and to protect all visitors from unreasonable disturbance, Zoo Zurich reserves the right to prohibit taking along other objects/articles that may cause disturbance to other visitors and/or the animals and/or Zoo staff.
Dogs and other animals are not allowed at Zoo Zurich. There are no dog kennels available. Exceptions are marked guide dogs for the blind and marked assistance dogs for people with motor disabilities.
Should a participant of an event, guided tour, seminar or course be refused entry to the Zoo due to violation of the preceding provisions, or should the participant be asked to leave the Zoo, there is no right to a refund of the price and no claim for damages.
10. NIght events, noise emissions
The organizer and the event participants must respect the privacy of the residents of the adjacent building. Any noise is to be avoided. The instructions from the animal area as well as the instructions of the Zoo staff must be followed without fail so that humans and animals are not put at risk.
The organizer is obligated to observe and enforce the police night-time regulations.
The arrangements agreed upon with Zoo Zurich must be strictly adhered to. The organizer assumes full responsibility for any misconduct or claims by third parties as well as any resulting liability for damages. If claims are made against Zoo Zurich by third parties in this regard, the organizer shall indemnify Zoo Zurich in full.
11. Damages, insurance
11.1 Events
In the event of disruptions or deficiencies in the services provided by Zoo Zurich, Zoo Zurich shall endeavor to remedy the situation upon becoming aware of the same or upon immediate complaint by the organizer. The organizer is obligated to contribute what is reasonable to it in order to remedy the disruption and keep any possible damage to a minimum.
Zoo Zurich shall only be liable in the event of intentional or grossly negligent breach of contractual obligations. Any further liability for direct, indirect and consequential damages as well as liability for auxiliary personnel is excluded to the extent provided by law.
The organizer is liable in any case for all damage to rooms, facilities, furniture, animals and grounds and must take out appropriate insurance. Furthermore, the organizer is liable for personal injury to event participants and must also take out appropriate insurance. The organizer is also liable for defective or missing items.
The organizer is also liable for damages caused by the event participants, its employees or third parties from its area.
If claims are made against Zoo Zurich by third parties for damages arising from this contract, the organizer shall fully indemnify Zoo Zurich.
The insurance of objects brought by the organizer or event participants is the responsibility of the organizer. Zoo Zurich may require proof of certain insurance policies.
11.2 Guided tours, seminars and courses
For all guided tours, courses and seminars organized by Zoo Zurich, Zoo Zurich excludes any liability for damage incurred to the greatest extent permitted by law. In particular, liability for slight negligence and auxiliary persons is excluded. The participants themselves are responsible for sufficient insurance coverage. Use of the facilities of Zoo Zurich is at one's own risk. Zoo Zurich cannot be held liable for theft or loss of items.
Participants in guided tours, courses and seminars may be held liable for grossly negligent damage to rooms, equipment, furniture, animals and grounds.
The insurance of objects brought by participants of guided tours, courses or seminars is the responsibility of the participants. Zoo Zurich may require proof of certain insurance policies.
12. Stays at the zoo after zoo closing time
Guests are not allowed to enter the Zoo grounds after closing time unless they have booked a guided tour or are accompanied by a Zoo staff member. If this rule is disregarded, any liability of Zoo Zurich is rejected.
13. Photography, filming and video recording
Photography, filming and video recording on the Zoo grounds are permitted for private purposes. They may be restricted or prohibited for certain events. Photography, filming and video recording for commercial purposes are prohibited. Zoo Zurich is entitled to take or delete recordings made in this way at the expense of the organizer or the event participants. The organizer also undertakes to fully indemnify Zoo Zurich for any damages arising therefrom.
The same rule applies to seminars and courses.
14. Data protection
The applicable data protection provisions can be found in the Zoo Zurich Privacy Policy . The Privacy Policy is an integral part of the GTCs Events Zoo Zürich AG & Zoo Restaurants GmbH.
15. Additional provisions
If the organizer is not at the same time the event partner, the organizer shall be jointly and severally liable with the contract partner for the entire liabilities vis-a-vis Zoo Zurich.
If an organizer concludes the contract on behalf of a third party, the third party and not the organizer shall become the contractual partner of Zoo Zurich; the organizer shall specifically notify Zoo Zurich of this in good time prior to the conclusion of the contract and inform Zoo Zurich of the name and address of the actual contractual partner.
If the organizer recognizably concludes the contract in the name of a third party or if the third party has commissioned a commercial intermediary or promoter to handle the contract, the organizer, intermediary or promoter shall be jointly and severally liable with the third party who becomes the contractual partner for all obligations arising from the contract.
Irrespective of this, the organizer is obligated to forward all information relevant to the booking, in particular these GTCs, to the actual contractual partner.
16. Force majeure
Force majeure within the meaning of these GTCs shall be deemed to exist if an event beyond the control of Zoo Zurich, such as strike, war, riot, unrest, vandalism, terrorism, epidemic/pandemic, accident to an animal or human being, outbreak of an animal, power failure, fire, flood or storm, prevents or significantly impedes the provision of one or all of our services according to the event contract.
17. Prohibition of offsetting
The organizer or the participants shall only have a right to offset if its counterclaims have been legally established or recognized by Zoo Zurich. The organizer or the participants are only authorized to exercise a right of retention if its counterclaims are based on the same contractual relationship.
18. Final provisions
18.1 Jurisdiction and applicable law
Swiss substantive law shall apply exclusively, to the exclusion of the provisions of international private law and in particular the Vienna Sales Convention (CISG). The city of Zurich is the place of jurisdiction for all disputes.
18.2 Updating general terms and conditions
These GTCs are an integral part of the contractual relationship with the organizer or the participants of the guided tour, seminar or course. Zoo Zurich reserves the right to adapt the GTCs due to changes in the general conditions. The last adaptation of the present GTCs is dated 21.12.2022.