Why the region matters for your job search
Austria is small, but its tourism is remarkably varied. Where you work often decides whether you get a seasonal or a year-round job, whether board and lodging are included and what life looks like after your shift. So before you apply, it's worth looking at how east and west differ.
The west: mountains, ski resorts, seasons
In Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Salzburg, alpine tourism sets the tone. Ski resorts, holiday hotels and mountain resorts shape the industry – with a strong winter season and an increasingly important summer season. Demand for seasonal staff is correspondingly high, especially in Tyrol.
Typical for the west: many employers offer staff a room in staff accommodation, often with meals. And because spring and autumn are becoming more popular with guests, more and more hotels are advertising year-round positions too.
The east: cities, culture, open all year
In Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, city breaks, culture and food and wine take centre stage. City hotels, restaurants and cafés are usually open all year – so you'll find more permanent positions here.
- Vienna is the classic year-round destination with everything a big city has to offer: culture, nightlife and international guests.
- Lower Austria stands out with wine regions such as the Wachau along the Danube and lively wine taverns and day-trip gastronomy.
- Burgenland offers jobs in thermal spas, around Lake Neusiedl and in wine tourism.
East and west at a glance
| Feature | West (Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg) | East (Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Alpine and winter tourism | City, culture and culinary tourism |
| Seasons | Winter and summer | mostly year-round |
| Employment | many seasonal jobs, more and more year-round ones | more permanent positions |
| Board & lodging | often included | less common, but city life instead |
| Typical employers | holiday and mountain hotels, resorts, huts | city hotels, restaurants, thermal spas |
The middle: the best of both worlds
Upper Austria, Styria and Carinthia combine city and season.
- Upper Austria: Linz offers year-round jobs, while the Salzkammergut has a strong summer season on its lakes and mountains.
- Styria: From year-round Graz to thermal and wine regions and the ski areas around Schladming, it has it all.
- Carinthia: The south thrives on summers at its warm swimming lakes, with a mild climate and comparatively low living costs – and, like the west, often board and lodging.
Seasonal job or permanent position?
Both have their advantages – it depends on what you're looking for right now.
- Seasonal job (especially in the west and the middle): ideal if you're flexible, want variety and would like to save thanks to free accommodation and meals.
- Permanent position (especially in the east and in cities): ideal if you want security, a regular routine and long-term prospects.
City or countryside?
Beyond east and west, location matters too: cities offer variety, good transport links and nightlife, while the countryside brings nature, peace and quiet and often especially close-knit teams.
Kitchen, service, front desk or housekeeping – on TourismLink you'll find open positions all over Austria. With a free profile, employers from every region can also find you directly.
