The newly created “Tourism Stars” award, which will recognize outstanding achievements in the Austrian leisure industry for the first time in April 2026, is already experiencing considerable success in the nomination phase.
By the beginning of March, over 400 nominations had been received from all nine Austrian states. The range of nominees is broad, encompassing both traditional hotels in the Alps and innovative start-ups, renowned restaurants, and influential figures in the industry. The award aims to showcase the diversity of the sector on a national stage and to highlight excellence in a total of 14 different categories.
A key focus of the initiative is promoting young talent in the industry and technological innovation. In the "Apprentice of the Year" category, around 20 talented individuals compete for the top prize, while the "Smart Tourism Star" category recognizes projects developing digital solutions for the future of travel. The winners are selected by an independent panel of experts, with regulations stipulating that each federal state must be represented at least once in the finals. In addition to the expert evaluation, public opinion plays a crucial role: in the "Audience Choice Award of the Year" category, the winner is determined solely by the votes of the public. Nearly 10.000 votes were registered in the first few days of voting.
The awards ceremony will take place on April 27, 2026, in a festive setting at Schönbrunn Palace. The event, supported by numerous renowned business partners, serves not only to honor the winners but also to foster networking within the industry. The accompanying program includes exclusive insights into Viennese cultural institutions and underscores the close interrelationship between tourism, culture, and business. According to the organizers, the success of Austria as a tourism destination is primarily due to the high quality of service provided by its people, who will receive nationwide recognition for the first time through this award.
From an economic perspective, the award serves as an important catalyst for the industry, which, following the challenges of recent years, is increasingly focusing on quality and innovation. The involvement of educational institutions such as Modul University Vienna also underscores the importance of academic qualifications for tourism leaders. Thus, the "Tourism Stars" awards are establishing themselves, even at their inception, as a significant fixture in the Austrian event calendar and a benchmark for excellence in tourism.