EQUALITY
WHERE HOSPITALITY MEETS HUMANITY
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Multitudes of people do not have the luxury of traveling for fun. They travel to survive. Refugees arriving in Vienna, Austria, can find true hospitality at the magdas Hotel. This hotel is a social business committed to employing refugees and helping them integrate into the local community. You can find humanity in something as simple as a hotel reservation.
What's
changing
Countries that host refugee populations have seen them contribute to the local economy and culture, even becoming part of what makes a place interesting for tourists. Yet refugees rarely get much benefit from their contributions.
What's already
possible
The magdas Hotel in Vienna, Austria, is playing an important role to help refugees by providing them with stable, long-term employment. Inclusivity is a core principle for staff and guests, and the hotel incorporates the diverse cultures of its staff into unique guest experiences through its on-site restaurant cuisine and special events.
Seizing
the opportunity
As of 2023, over 250,000 refugees were living in Austria, many from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan.The magdas Hotel in Vienna is Austria’s first social business hotel, committed to employing refugees as its core staff. This aligns with the mission of its founding organization, Caritas, which delivers humanitarian aid around the world. Opened in 2015 in a renovated retirement home, the hotel provides training and apprenticeships in hospitality, guest services and food preparation, providing employment for refugees often excluded from other jobs. In collaboration with the Austrian government, the hotel houses refugee minors. Guest room artworks are curated from Atelier 10, a gallery that focuses on artistic merit over formal education and experience.
Standout
tactic
The hotel's commitment to being a social business includes sustainability practices. A parking lot has been converted to a garden, and furniture is crafted from upcycled materials. The hotel restaurant's menu features in-season, organic vegetables and locally sourced meat and dairy. Guests are rewarded for committing to sustainable practices: Those who travel to the hotel via bicycle or train get 10% off an overnight stay.
How
it helps
Within its first two years, the magdas Hotel had an average occupancy rate of 70% and received consistent praise from guests. As a social business, most of the profits are reinvested into staff care and training, including regular visits from social workers to assist those experiencing housing issues. The hotel continues to thrive, proving to be a valuable addition to the community.
Diving
deeper
Hospitality wages can be lower compared to other industries. How can hotels support workers interested in other fields, so that they can move into more financially rewarding jobs that match their interests and experiences?
Increasing
impact
Expanding the hotel's apprenticeship and training programs to include more broad skills could diversify employment opportunities for refugees, helping them integrate into the broader Viennese community.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
