Zehetner advocates for closer tourism cooperation with Greece

The State Secretary also spoke out in favor of an intelligent further development of offerings. "It is about intelligently further developing offerings, extending seasons, and making better use of existing infrastructure." Year-round tourism is key in this regard: "Year-round tourism means more planning security for businesses, more stable jobs, and more added value in the regions," Zehetner said.

At the same time, she warned against an unchecked increase in visitor numbers. "It is not about having more and more guests everywhere." Rather, it is important to understand skilled workers, sustainability, digitalization, and acceptance in destinations as European tasks, as she put it: "Skilled workers, sustainability, digitalization, and acceptance in destinations are European tasks."

Year-round tourism as a strategy

According to the Ministry, a recruitment event in Greece is planned in the medium term to attract skilled workers for the 2025/26 winter season. The European network EURES is also expected to play a role in matching suitable candidates with Austrian businesses.

Zehetner emphasized the responsibility of policymakers to bring employees and businesses closer together more effectively. "Politics must bring these two sides together faster and with less bureaucracy." Tourism remains a labor-intensive business: "Without dedicated employees, there is no good hospitality and no successful tourism location," Zehetner said, according to a press release. She underscored this line with the formulation "Tourismus ist ein Menschenbusiness" as well.

Precarious working conditions as a challenge

The debate is set against the backdrop of reports about precarious working conditions in parts of the industry. The "vida" trade union recently reported undeclared work, assaults, and sexual harassment. For a position with 40 hours per week, the net pay in the lowest wage bracket is 1,645 euros. Zehetner did not directly address these specific allegations, but referred generally to the need to ensure fair employment conditions.

The history of migration into Austrian tourism reaches far back. In the 1960s and 70s, workers from Yugoslavia and Turkey were brought into the country to perform poorly paid and strenuous jobs. "At least if one believes Udo Jürgens, who in 'Griechischer Wein' sings of the great longing of the guest workers for their homeland," the ministry text stated.

Historical roots of migration

Looking ahead to the coming months, Zehetner announced that she would deepen talks with Greece and other European partners such as Cyprus. The aim is to facilitate recruitment while continuing to strengthen domestic training. According to reports, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Public Employment Service are to be involved in the recruitment effort.

Outlook on further cooperation

The industry itself is meanwhile facing growing demands. Alongside the shortage of skilled workers, sustainability and digitalization are considered central challenges. Zehetner described Austria as a tourism location that can only remain successful with well-trained and motivated employees. An additional recruitment event in Greece is intended to help ensure staffing for the 2025/26 winter season.

Further bilateral expert-level meetings are expected in the coming weeks. The Salzburg Festival and other major cultural events are also cited as examples of the labor-intensive nature of Austria's tourism and cultural economy. Zehetner sees European cooperation as a way to cushion demographic and structural bottlenecks and to keep the location competitive in the long term.