Organise documents for a tourism business
Prepare the business, location, guest registration and day-to-day procedures in a clear structure.
Which documents operators of accommodation and other tourism businesses should assemble for a legal assessment in Austria.
A legal assessment of a tourism business does not start with one form. The relevant picture comes from how the business is organised, which services it offers, where it operates and which documents show the actual process.
Arrange the documents in the five sections below. The page on accommodation and guest admission explains the basic framework. For a tourism letting model, see holiday-home letting. The accommodation check can help you structure the first questions.
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01 Describe the business and its trade status
Record who operates the business and which services guests actually receive.
02 Document the location and its use
The permitted use depends on the specific location, zoning and physical design.
03 Document guests and bookings
The booking, arrival, stay and departure should remain traceable from the records.
04 Organise additional services and ongoing duties
Food service, package offers, levies and external services can each require additional records.
05 Secure changes, incidents and communications
A chronological file helps to assess the actual process and later changes.
Why the actual business process matters
Section 111 of the Austrian Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act 1994, the GewO 1994, lists accommodation of guests as a hospitality trade activity. Whether a trade authorisation, proof of competence or further trade-law steps are required depends on the actual offer, facilities and additional services. The label used in an advertisement does not replace an assessment of the specific business.
Under section 5 of the Austrian Registration Act 1991, guests in accommodation businesses must register without delay and in any event within 24 hours after arrival. Under section 10, the business must keep a guest directory. The operating process must therefore cover the legally required information, arrival and departure, and protected handling of the data.
The location, building use, operating facility and tourism levies may also be governed by provincial and municipal law. The documents show which permits, agreements and reports actually exist. They do not replace an assessment of the specific property, business model and current official requirements.
This checklist is a preparation aid. It does not replace an assessment of the specific business, location, contract model and applicable Austrian federal and provincial rules.
Next steps for your tourism business
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Mag. Bernhard Brandauer, Rechtsanwalt
BRANDAUER Rechtsanwälte
Orientation for tourism businesses, guests and contracting parties in Austria.
Discuss your matter
Orientation for tourism businesses, guests and contracting parties in Austria.
Discuss your matter
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BRANDAUER Rechtsanwälte GmbH\nGiselakai 51\n5020 Salzburg
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