Good jobs in tourism are possible, you just have to create them

On Monday evening, 27 April, the "Tourism Stars" Award was presented for the first time in the Schönbrunn Orangery. Outstanding achievements in the industry were honoured in a total of 17 categories – including the "Best Workplace – powered by vida" award. This award was presented by Eva Eberhart, Chairwoman of the vida Tourism Department, to the NH Hotel at Vienna-Schwechat Airport. "This employer shows how it can be done: It offers employees of all wage and salary groups 6.3 percent more than the collectively agreed minimum wages prescribe - and yet the actual wages grow annually with the collective bargaining wages. In addition, the Vienna Collective Agreement applies to all federal states. In addition, there is an additional day off on Good Friday, flexible working hours and numerous other benefits for employees," emphasizes Eberhart. Such examples are crucial to show that good working conditions are possible in tourism.

Best workplace - powered by vida

The company's own category "Best Workplace – powered by vida" is an important signal for the entire industry. "Progress needs role models. There are companies that take responsibility and live appreciation. It is precisely these that must be made visible, because they set standards for others," says Eberhart. The trade union vida is convinced: Tourism can be an attractive industry. The prerequisites for this are fair wages, predictable working hours, good working conditions and the consistent fight against the black sheep.

There is still a need for action

In recent years, the social partnership has been able to achieve important achievements. "Wages in the hotel and catering industry have risen steadily, and in 2025 a minimum wage of over 2,000 euros was reached. At the same time, we as the vida trade union are consistently committed to safe working conditions and sufficient recovery time," explains Eberhart. Nevertheless, there is still a clear need for improvement: "There are still companies in which fair working conditions are not a matter of course. That is why strict controls and consequences for problem businesses are still needed."

Tourism stars bring achievements to the forefront

With the "Tourism Stars", a national award was created for the first time, which is intended to make innovative concepts, committed employees and outstanding companies in the tourism industry visible. "More than 200,000 employees ensure that guests feel comfortable in Austria every day. This work deserves recognition – and that's exactly why such initiatives are needed," says Eberhart. "Highlighting positive examples can be a way to make the industry more attractive and improve conditions for employees. Significant improvements in the collective agreement are indispensable," she concludes, referring to the recently stalled collective agreement negotiations for the hotel and catering industry.