Robert Seeber, chairman of the WKÖ federal tourism and leisure sector, welcomes the draft assessment presented today by Federal Minister Kocher to increase the seasonal worker quota to 4,985 as a positive step towards securing the workforce in tourism. Although the industry’s proposal is in the direction of completely opening the third country quota, the increase to 4,985 is still a clear help and a positive signal for companies.
After all, the contingent has been increased by more than 3,700 places across Austria in the last 5 years and it has been made easier to obtain regular season student status. It would also be desirable to increase the overdraft limit in peak months, which is then offset again in other months.
By increasing the contingent, the increasing need for employees can be better covered and the claim as a sustainable, top-quality tourism country can be taken into account.
“Tourism is a mainstay of the Austrian economy. With 136 million overnight stays from January to October 2024 and a good booking situation for the winter, the industry is heading towards another record year. “It is all the more important to offer guests the usual standard and hospitality that is valued in Austria with sufficient staff and not to leave any tourism potential behind due to a lack of employees,” emphasizes Seeber in conclusion.
Zwtl.: The review period for the 2025 season quota regulation runs until December 16, 2024
According to information from the Ministry of Labor, applications that have already been submitted and which, despite meeting all the requirements, could not (or can no longer) be approved due to exhausted quotas, can be approved in anticipation of the new increased quotas from the announcement of the regulation with the start of application on January 1st. (PWK462/EL)
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