In dit artikel
Emigrating to Austria and starting your own hotel, guesthouse, or inn. A dream for many and above all a step with risks and consequences. MyTourist has many users who have moved from the Netherlands to Austria in recent years. They have subsequently set up their own accommodations in Austria. Our extensive experience in supporting these emigrants has led to the following tips for people considering leaving the Netherlands. Basic tips for potential emigrants who are searching for information. But also pitfalls from which you can benefit.
The pink cloud
If you want to emigrate to Austria, you may have been living on a pink cloud for a while. It is a long-held dream and you see opportunities to make it a reality. It is, of course, a fantastic prospect. But be aware of what lies ahead. Consider the financial outlook, the culture, and the language. The uncertain times that lie ahead and perhaps the new industry where you may not be familiar. Most importantly, it will be a period of very hard work. Early mornings, late nights. Many Dutch people emigrating to Austria have to get used to the new work culture of long hours. A standard 40-hour job with a 9 to 5 mentality no longer applies. You are available for your guests 24/7, and they often dictate a large part of your time. At the moment you are about to do your shopping, a guest may need you. Many guesthouse owners (up to around 10 rooms) in Austria do a lot themselves. From cleaning rooms to preparing breakfasts and handling check-in/out to administrative work.
In short, enjoy but know what is coming your way. Most "Dutch Austrians" absolutely do not want to return after a few years. Despite the hustle and bustle, or perhaps better referred to as flexibility, life in Austria is often experienced as stress-free and calm. The start can sometimes be a tough period because you have to build everything up both organizationally and financially.
A lot of information, a lot...
Gather information, as much as possible. The superficial TV programs are not enough, but especially dive into the content. There are countless blogs with experiences available online. Even better, try to make connections with various 'experts'. There are Austrian companies that focus on your target audience. There are plenty of Dutch insurance agents, mortgage advisors, real estate agents, etc., who can tell you everything and provide you with the right tips in their field. The Austrian mortgage market, for example, works quite differently than in the Netherlands. The tax authorities have different expectations and insurances are structured differently. Important aspects to engage with. And these are less interesting theories that should occupy you for an optimal preparation. But they are essential! Often we think directly in terms of questions like "How and where do I promote my guesthouse / hotel?" But then you quickly skip a step. A good preparation is half the work and keep your own securities in mind. This will give you a lot of peace of mind and confidence.
Which region in Austria?
When thinking of Austria, people often think of Tyrol. A beautiful region that has a lot to offer, especially in the winter season. By far the best-known region (among the Dutch) when we talk about an Austrian winter sports area. Besides Tyrol, Austria has eight other states. Be sure to look beyond, for example, to Carinthia. While Tyrol seems almost deserted in the summer, Carinthia still thrives on tourism in the summer. Two peak seasons! Generally, we see - throughout the year - a better occupancy rate in hotels in Carinthia compared to Tyrol. This does not mean that breathtaking Tyrol should be avoided. We only want to suggest that Austria is a large beautiful country with advantages and disadvantages in each region. Educate yourself well about the choice of the right federal state because you will likely only do that once.
More than just moving
Furnishing rooms, renovating, repairing defects, a period of vacancy, organizing and administrating everything. After the move, the adventure only begins. Don't expect to fill your rooms immediately. Generally, we see that it takes at least 1 to 2 years. Especially financially, this is something to be aware of.
One of the pitfalls is that people think that after emigrating to Austria, they have everything in order and can get started immediately. This is usually not the case, but a good preparation can accelerate your process. Make your accommodations available on booking sites like Booking.com beforehand, for example. Just that alone can take several days of searching if you are not familiar with such platforms. The possibilities are such that we always advise starting early, ideally well before your move.
Don't aim too high and certainly not too low
To determine the price, look at your colleagues in the area. Logical, you would think. Stress plays a role when you still have many rooms vacant at the beginning. Lowering the price is often seen as a solution. But be careful with that, because before you know it, you are fully booked at a rock-bottom rate and you could have probably gotten more out of it. Last-minute deals? Absolutely do it! But don't set your price too low just because you want to sell as much as possible.
We also see many owners who charge too high prices. The opposite applies here. A booking for a lower amount often results in better occupancy. In simple terms, better to have 2 bookings at €75 per night than 1 booking for €100 per night. Especially at the beginning where you need to work hard on your recognition.
Too focused on the Dutch audience
Enjoying your comfort zone. How often have we heard that Dutch people in Austria focus on the Dutch market! Understandable, as you speak Dutch and think that Dutch people will feel attracted to your hotel faster. In practice, however, this is not the case. It is not a niche market because there are already so many Dutch hosts in Austria.
Therefore, work on your own target audience. For example, choose to add pet-friendly facilities, increase child-friendliness, or focus on adult couples without children. The more specific you define your target audience, the better they will feel attracted. That is true niche marketing! And not just because you speak Dutch.
A fun fact: We speak to many Dutch guesthouse owners in Austria. After a few years, they form their own target audience, and usually only a very small percentage of Dutch guests remain. Often not more than 20%, and the vast majority often come from Eastern European countries. Believe it or not, but the same Dutch owners in Austria appreciate those guests more than Dutch guests. Dutch people are generally much less tidy!
A good website
You won't get far if you only speak Dutch, as you just read. A website is often initially created only in Dutch. However, a German and English version should absolutely not be missing. Preferably even more languages!
Building a good professional website costs a lot of money, often several thousand euros. As a 'starter', many emigrants to Austria choose to do it themselves. Or perhaps you know someone in your circles. You get what you pay for here. Usually, such a site lasts only 1 or a few years. It does nothing, yields nothing and does not work as you want it to. Direct booking (without paying commissions), a well-thought-out marketing plan, and good findability are essential components. But yes, that costs a lot of money!
A collective website specifically for hotel, guesthouse, and inn owners is the perfect solution. You have your own website and domain name, sharing the technology with other owners. Such a website continuously receives attention in terms of marketing, returns, conversions, and findability.
MyTourist is unique in this regard. An own website and domain name with a sleek and continuously developed appearance, up to date, easy to maintain, no additional costs, and very low rates. Furthermore, automatic unique translation into no less than 15 languages!
Want to know more? Visit the Hotel website builder. And try it for free!
The right software
Good software does not have to be expensive or complex and difficult. However, finding the right software is a challenge. One that does not (exclusively) target large hotel chains and that is all-encompassing so that you can manage it with one license.
What to expect from hotel software?
- A good channel manager for synchronizing your availability and prices between all platforms/booking sites (Booking.com, Traumferienwohnung, Bergfex, Expedia, Airbnb, Trivago, your own website, etc.)
- No double bookings
- Overview of your occupancy
- Automated guest communication (booking confirmation, email before arrival, after departure, etc.)
- Invoicing and payment processing, financial overview, and reports
You absolutely cannot process this manually unless you want to spend full days at your PC like a typing tiger. So Excel sheets are not a solution in this case; opt for software that helps you grow.
MyTourist is unique in its kind and suits emigrants to Austria perfectly. Do you want to start your own guesthouse, pension, or hotel in Austria? Take a look around our website and try MyTourist free of charge and without obligation. We only start charging once you are productive in Austria, and we keep our pricing very accessible and manageable. Exactly what you are looking for. And of course, we would be happy to give you a personal presentation. Sign up today :)
Good luck with the adventure and preparations for emigrating to Austria. We always enjoy sharing experiences and thinking along with you. Please feel free to contact us for that.
