Tourism Law in Europe

The qualification for the hospitality trade can be proved by certificates of a tourism academy, certain university studies or certain vocational school educations (including a certain time of internship), particular courses, three years of uninterrupted work in a managerial position in the hospitality industry or a successfully passed qualifying examination. In addition, a final apprenticeship examination as a confectioner, followed by a managerial position in a hospitality company, can also qualify for the exercise of the trade. In the classification of hotels, Austria follows the system of hotelstars.eu which it is member of. The classification into a star class is made by commissions appointed by the Professional Group Committee of the Chamber of Commerce at the request of the hotel operator. In Vienna, however, hotel classification is carried out by an expert committee of the Vienna Tourist Board consisting of representatives of the hotel industry, travel agencies, the two most important automobile clubs, the Chamber of Labour and the trade union. 2.1.3. Travel agency business The travel agency business 19 includes:  issuance, mediation and procuration of transportation tickets for domestic or foreign transportation companies of any kind,  mediation of passenger transport, accommodation and meals for travellers or mediation of tour packages,  facilitation of linked travel arrangements and  organisation of travel packages. In terms of trade requirements, there is therefore no difference between retailers and package organisers, with the exception that the latter (as well as traders facilitating linked travel arrangements) require insolvency insurance 20 , details of which are accessible in a public register 21 . 19 Sec. 126 Trade Regulations Act. 20 Sec. 127 Trade Regulations Act 21 Trade Information System Austria (GISA); https://www.gisa.gv.at/fshost-gisa-p/user/formular.aspx