Are Swiss travel agencies liable for damages caused by foreign tour operators?

We booked a tour of Cappadocia through a Swiss travel agency along with flights and hotel stays. During our last day there we went on a hot air balloon excursion and my 700-franc iPhone was accidentally damaged (as in knocked out of the balloon) by the balloon operator. I couldn't communicate with the man as I don't speak Turkish, so I contacted the travel agency upon our arrival in Switzerland. They told me to ask the Turkish tour operator for compensation which is not practical. Should the Swiss travel agency accept liability in this case or do I have to try and deal with the tour operator in Turkey?

Hi there,

When a tour is purchased along with flights or hotels as part of a travel package, the Swiss travel service provider who sold you the package is liable to compensate you for damages inflicted by third-party service providers contracted by the Swiss travel service provider.

In your case, the Swiss travel operator is liable to compensate you for the loss of your phone.

Best regards from Moneyguru.

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