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Digital assistance in gastronomy? Visitor guidance in the forest by sensor? Sounds like a dream of the future, but it has long since become reality - implemented by start-ups that are rethinking tourism in Austria. Innovation in tourism can be seen where people with courage, passion and clever ideas break up existing structures - and improve them. This is exactly where the #tourismusinkubator comes in.
Tourism is one of Austria's most important economic sectors, but the industry is facing major challenges: A shortage of skilled workers, rising costs, climate change, digital upheaval - all of this calls for new solutions. Solutions that generally do not come from large corporations - but from motivated entrepreneurs who are prepared to break new ground.
Tourism needs innovation - more than ever
In an industry that relies so heavily on people, ideas are needed that not only work economically, but are also sustainable, social and future-proof. While digital tools are gaining in importance through AI and automation, tourism change is often about much more fundamental things: fresh business models, collaborative processes, clear values - and the courage to question the status quo.#tourismusinkubator: innovative power meets practical implementation
The #tourismusinkubator is the contact point in Upper Austria for tourism-related start-ups and projects with innovation potential. The startup ecosystem around tech2b makes Upper Austria the ideal starting point for innovative startup projects in tourism. Those who start up here not only benefit from strong local support, but also use the region as a springboard into the entire Austrian market - and beyond.
With the Tourism Incubator, the cooperation between tech2b, Upper Austria Tourism and Business Upper Austria is creating a platform for all those who want to actively shape the tourism of the future - be it technology-driven, practice-oriented, with sustainable products, smart platforms or innovative services.
What makes the incubator special:
- Individual support from experts in tourism, business & innovation
- Access to a top-class network
- Support with business and financing issues
- Professional mentoring
- Free access to the program & funding opportunities
- Events, pitch opportunities and visibility in the industry
Trailpulse and Optimizes show how it's done
Trailpulse is a prime example of applied innovation. The young company led by Sebastian Hochgatterer uses its "counting mats" to measure visitor flows in outdoor areas - buried on hiking or mountain bike trails - all in real time and almost invisibly. The data provides valuable insights for regions to plan more sustainably, avoid conflicts and prevent overuse.
"Many tourism associations don't even know how many people really use their trails," says Hochgatterer. "We help them make decisions based on real data - not gut feeling." To this end, Trailpulse has developed sensors that are buried on natural trails: "You can't see them, but they detect whether someone is walking, running or cycling."
Optimizes: from reactive to proactive
Optimizes has set itself the goal of bringing greater efficiency to the restaurant and hotel industry through data-based recommendations for action. Co-founders Alexander Donath and Michael Fortner describe their solution as a digital restaurant manager that brings together real-time data from POS systems, duty scheduling solutions, merchandise management and reservation tools. This results in concrete, AI-supported recommendations for action for restaurateurs - for example, for better staff planning or to optimize the menu for increased profitability.
"Our aim is to spend less time in the office and more time with guests - through smart, automated processes," says Donath. The success of their solution is linked to a profitable local start-up ecosystem: "You don't have to go to Silicon Valley to set up a tech company - you can also do it in Austria," report the founders.
Apply now for the next round - until October 20
Do you have an idea, a start-up or a project that could improve tourism? Then now is the right time: the application phase for the next round of the Tourism Incubator is underway - the application deadline is October 20, 2025.
Here's all the information you need to take part!
We are looking for start-ups and individuals from all over Austria who are active in the following areas:
- Digital innovations in tourism
- Sustainable products or services
- New business models in the catering, hotel and leisure industries
- Solutions in the areas of mobility, regional development or culture
- Tourism-related projects with a social impact
38 start-ups have already completed the program since 2021 - from location projects to water skiing and new forms of accommodation:
- Streuobstwerkstatt:
A sales concept for tourism businesses to promote the cultural landscape and reduce food waste. - Thrillectric:
Develops sporty electric water skis (e-skis) with jet propulsion for environmentally friendly freedom on the water. - Liabs Platzl:
Tinyhomes made from regional building materials, smart and close to nature - an innovative form of accommodation close to nature.
As diverse as the participants are, they all have the ambition to take local tourism to the next level.
Tourism is diversity in action
"What unites our start-ups is not the technology - but the vision," says Anna Vorderdörfler, Program Manager #tourismusinkubator at tech2b. "It's about people who boldly forge ahead, try out new things and bring tourism closer to the needs of the future."
And it is precisely this diversity that defines the #tourismusinkubator. No competition, but exchange. No standard solutions, but individual strategies. Trailpulse has already gone through the funding program. Sebastian Hochgatterer reports consistently positive experiences: "It's great to hear different perspectives - even from completely different directions."
"The best networking often happens quite unexpectedly - and that's exactly what makes the program so valuable," adds Anna Vorderdörfler. Mentor:in and start-ups have already teamed up for new projects, concepts and initiatives: the cultural discovery app Hublz and the AI travel planner Majourny show how much this collaboration pays off - from valuable feedback to the implementation of major partner projects.
Optimizes has been taking part since September and is already on fire: "If I had known earlier that the tourism incubator existed, we would have done it immediately last year," says Michael Fortner.
