New duo at the top of WKÖ tourism: challenges and solutions!

New duo at the top of WKÖ tourism: challenges and solutions!

Österreich - With the choice of Susanne Kraus-Winkler and Georg Imlauer in the top positions of the Austria Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), the tourism industry faces significant challenges. Walter Veit, President of the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV), has spoken to both congratulations and emphasized the need for experienced stakeholders in the current economic situation. The decades of industry knowledge of Kraus-Winkler and Imlauer is crucial to tackle current topics, such as the unresolved tip of the tip and the exuberant bureaucracy.

The ÖHV represents around 1,700 volunteers who act as regional leaders. In addition to the constructive cooperation with the new tourism tip, Veit appeals to the urgency of finding solutions for pressing problems. In particular, the labor market policy and digitization, for example through the introduction of the electronic guest report, have to proceed quickly in order to make the industry future -proof.

shortage of skilled workers and personnel planning

A central topic in Austrian tourism is a shortage of skilled workers, as State Secretary E. Zehetner emphasizes. In order to improve personnel planning, she calls for the early release of the seasonal contingent and the timely introduction of the Western Balkan contingent. An update of the tourism is currently being updated, which focuses on important topics such as specialists, digitization and all -year tourism.

Zehetner also emphasizes the need to promote operations in family -run companies, especially in rural areas, through targeted support programs. In the discussion about more flexible workforce immigration, the increase in seasonal workers from less than 5,000 to the current number can be seen as a step in the right direction.

improvement of the framework conditions

The creation of more attractive working conditions in tourism is another focus. Topics such as living, mobility and the compatibility of work and family, especially in terms of childcare, are crucial to support women in full -time jobs. In a government program, steps to reduce non -wage costs have already been anchored, whereby the specific implementation period depends on the financial scope.

An important goal also remains the reduction in bureaucracy in the area of ​​the hotel industry. The abolition of the duty of occupancy up to 35 euros has already been identified as the first step. The establishment of the SOKO bureaucracy is intended to help identify and abolish the practical regulations.

statistics on the tourism industry

The importance of tourism and leisure management for Austria is underlined by regular statistics and studies. According to the WKO, there is a comprehensive collection of relevant data annually, which provides information about arrivals, overnight stays and other important key figures. The published studies include “Tourism and Leisure Management in Numbers” from 2023 to 2025, which illustrate the economic relevance of the industry.

Overall, the Austrian tourism industry faces fundamental changes and challenges. The new leadership in the WKÖ is expected to take on an active role in fixing the existing problems. It remains to be hoped that constructive cooperation and innovative approaches will lead to stabilization and further development of the industry.