Tourism in Tyrol: Experts discuss solutions against a shortage of skilled workers

Tourism in Tyrol: Experts discuss solutions against a shortage of skilled workers

On May 27, 2025, the last issue of the "Tourismus Forum on Tour" took place in the Hohe Salve Sportsort in Hopfgarten in the Brixental. Around 60 guests, including numerous well -known personalities such as State Councilor Mario Gerber and Karin Seiler from Tyrol advertising, discussed the challenges of the tourist labor market. The topic of the event was "Habitat Tirol: Working where others go on vacation".

The participants were particularly concerned with the shortage of skilled workers, which is increasingly burdening the industry. The numbers are alarming: In the high season, around 50,000 people are employed in gastronomy and accommodation, while only half as many places are occupied in the off -season. According to forecasts, 30,000 employees in tourism are missing in Tyrol by 2035.

essential discussion content

A central concern of the discussion was the need for strategic measures to provide employee loyalty and acquisition. Manfred Pletzer from the Prehrer Group emphasized the importance of qualified employees for the industry. The group currently employs 350 employees and more than 40 trainees. Packer also pointed out that an average of two hours less per week is working, which corresponds to a decline of 20,000 full -time equivalents.

Additional topics on the agenda were tip taxation, employee accommodation and the quota. During the forum, the demand for an international opening of the labor market was also loud to address a larger pool of specialists.

technological challenges in tourism

An important aspect that influences the industry is digitization. Booking platforms play a crucial role here. These platforms connect travelers to providers and receive a commission on the booking price. They use algorithms to sort offers by reviews and prices, making access easier for travelers. Nevertheless, there are also challenges: Smaller companies are often forced to cooperate with these platforms in order to be visible online, which leads to market regulation by these large providers.

The effects of digital change are noticeable. The profit margins and risk capital financing often lead to discount campaigns that strengthen the competition. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in cancellation options up to the day of arrival for many hotels, which is a comfortable option for travelers despite the associated risks.

The response to the dialogue format of the tourism forum was consistently positive, and both Mario Gerber and Karin Seiler reaffirmed the value of the exchange and the hospitality in Tyrol. In addition, a continuation of the format was announced in the coming year to develop further solutions for the challenges in the tourism sector.

Tourism in Tyrol still has a high importance, not least because of the high regular guests of around 70 % - a number that underlines how valuable the region is for regular visitors.

For more information on the current developments in tourism, you can report the reporting of Leadersnet href = "https://www.tourism-watch.de/dossiers/digitalization-im-tourismus/"> Tourism Watch Consult.