Despite record-breaking May: Hotel industry curbs summer euphoria

“We hope that we will still get bookings later this month,” said Imlauer in Ö1 morning journal. There is still room for improvement, especially in terms of sales. The average room prices of previous years are unlikely to be reached this year. Significantly more savings are also made on additional expenditure by guests, for example in gastronomy or wellness.

Salzburg: Longer stays instead of bus chaos

While May was still strong, Imlauer describes June as “very mixed”. Cities in particular have developed well, but holiday regions have fallen short of expectations. With a view to Salzburg, Imlauer calls for better visitor guidance. He sees a need for action, particularly when it comes to coaches. In his opinion, slots at bus terminals should only be for at least four to six hours be awarded. His reasoning: Shorter stays would only make the city more congested, as was recently observed on bad weather days.

Dispute over collective agreement

Even in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, the front remains hardened. Imlauer now sees the union’s turn. He points to the high burden on the industry due to rising personnel costs, use of goods, energy prices and bureaucracy. The last offer from employers was average 3 percent more wagesfor the lowest wage groups 3.4 percentprovided.

“We accommodated the union to within a tenth of a percent. The union didn’t budge at all,” criticized Imlauer and appealed to the employee representatives to accept the offer. Many companies have already implemented the planned increases voluntarily.

Data and facts:

• +12% overnight stays in May compared to the previous year
• Austrian Statistical Maritime Records
• June “mixed” according to the hotel industry
• Employers offered an average wage increase of 3%
• 4 to 6 hour minimum slots required for coaches in Salzburg