The labor shortage in tourism and gastronomy has now also reached Austria’s highest mountain hut. After the cook of the Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte on the Großglockner in Carinthia has stopped, there is an emergency operation – on the Adlersruhe at 3454 meters above sea level – during the high season. Even the military was asked for help.
“We currently cook with our permanent staff, who are all-rounders, but that is not a permanent solution,” said cabin host Toni Riepler to ORF Carinthia on Sunday. The team consists of six people. Currently, about 85 people are fed daily – about 70 tourists and 15 mountain guides. According to the landlord, that is the core. He would hire someone “preferably from tomorrow. We could get by this way for a few more days, but in the long run it’s not reasonable for our employees to work like this.”
According to the report, Riepler has therefore already asked the military for help.
This – as expected from the restorer – may not help through assistance, but may help, as Colonel Michael Bauer said. According to him, the army has issued an internal appeal in Carinthia, Tyrol, Salzburg and Vorarlberg, asking whether an army member would volunteer and go on special leave as a high-alpine cook. “Because the landlord said even a week of help would help him. Secretary of Defense KIaudia Tanner has promised to show goodwill for special leave in such a case.
Riepler came up with the idea of the federal army because it is always the army that climbs the highest mountain in the districts of Spittal (Carinthia) and Lienz (Tyrol). Mountain troops are stationed in the two district and garrison towns. “That was a desperate story on my part, because we’ve had some really strong weekends already,” said the innkeeper.
Riepler promises an eventful job. It may be exhausting, but it’s worth it in the end. Not everyone has a view of Glockner from their workplace.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
