The Austrian Hotel Association assumes that domestic tourism will also be characterized by many uncertainties in 2022. According to the professional association, this is also related to the current cost explosion.

Reference is made to a current study by Wifo, which again forecasts a difficult year for Austrian tourism. “Demand is just picking up again and companies are looking positively towards the next few months. Summer holidays in Austria will also be trendy in 2022. But it needs security and stability, otherwise we will nip the development in the bud again," says ÖHV General Secretary Markus Gratzer.

The industry is currently in a recovery phase after two years of permanent crisis. However, there are some circumstances that lead to uncertainty. This includes, among other things, that it is completely unclear how things will go in autumn and winter 2022/23. The sharp rise in costs due to the Ukraine war is not exactly euphoric either. One sees a demand for politics at all levels.

The cost explosion, driven by energy prices, as well as the loss of guests from the long-distance markets due to the Ukraine crisis are the two greatest factors of uncertainty in the short term: "We need concepts to counteract the current price development. Austria's economy cannot afford to do without tourism, the engine that drives the economy, especially against the background of an imminent recession in other sectors," emphasizes Gratzer. A quick return to normality is also needed: Compared to other European cities, the companies in Vienna in particular are suffering massively from the permanent restrictions of the last two years. With regard to the coming winter season, Gratzer points out that it is important to work on corona concepts in good time: “We have to use the time now, it will be too late for that in November. Let’s work out practical and sensible plans together so that guests, employees and companies can start the autumn and winter season safely.”