Project

Why Not? Takeover scenarios from the perspective of successors

Who will lead the future of the Alpine hotel industry?
In many tourism regions in western Austria, family-run accommodation establishments are facing a critical turning point: the generational change is faltering. The research project "Why Not? Takeover scenarios from the perspective of successors" shows why young people hesitate despite tradition, solidarity and emotional closeness to the industry - and which conditions create new prospects for successful handovers. The results provide the first in-depth insight into structural, emotional and economic hurdles as well as innovative ways to secure the future of tourism businesses.

Many potential successors hesitate because responsibility, risk and life goals seem difficult to reconcile.

Emotional dynamics such as role confusion and pressure of expectation make the handover process more difficult.

Bureaucracy, tax burdens and high investment costs are among the biggest barriers in the succession process.

Early involvement, clear roles and external advice increase the chances of a successful handover.

Family businesses in transition

Alpine tourism has thrived on family-run accommodation businesses for generations - and it is precisely these that are at a critical point today. Many businesses are urgently looking for successors, while at the same time young people are increasingly reluctant to follow in their parents' footsteps. The interdisciplinary research project "Why Not? Takeover scenarios from the perspective of successors", conducted by the University of Innsbruck, UMIT Tirol and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, takes a comprehensive look at this development.

Why the next generation is hesitant

The central result: the reasons for the declining willingness to take over are complex. In addition to financial burdens and investment risks, emotional dynamics play a decisive role. Handovers often fail due to unresolved role issues, generational tensions or a late "letting go" of the senior generation. At the same time, the increasing workload due to a shortage of skilled workers, seasonal peaks and bureaucratic requirements leads many young people to question the compatibility of entrepreneurship, quality of life and family.

Tourism at the crossroads of new challenges

The changes in the tourism industry itself also pose major challenges. The guest market has become more price-sensitive, more flexible and more demanding; climate change, digitalization and rising quality standards call for innovative and resilient business models. Successful businesses are those that actively develop further, see their employees as a key resource and use creative strategies for economic stability.

How successful handovers work

However, the interviews also show that when handovers are successful, it is due to clear communication, early planning and external support. Professional advice, structured decision-making processes and a shared vision of the future create trust - and make the takeover attractive again. In addition, new models such as cooperative handovers, external management or hybrid forms between ownership and management open up new ways of ensuring the continued existence of family-run businesses.

Impulses for practice, politics and next steps

The project thus provides valuable impetus for businesses, families and political decision-makers. It shows that succession is not just a question of willingness, but an interplay of structural framework conditions, emotional preparation and innovative future models. The study encourages us to think about new perspectives - so that the strength of Alpine tourism businesses can be maintained in the future.