# Austrian efforts to combat fake tourism reviews

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-efforts-to-combat-fake-tourism-reviews
> Updated: 2026-08-18T16:02:44.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

The Austrian Ministry of Tourism has introduced a guide and a dedicated hotline to help businesses in the gastronomy, hospitality, and leisure sectors manage fraudulent, incentivized, or coordinated negative online reviews. This initiative aims to provide immediate support to independent and family-owned businesses facing reputational and financial harm.

In response, the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) has called for more stringent, binding legal regulations for online platforms. While acknowledging the utility of the new hotline, ÖHV Secretary General Dr. Markus Gratzer argues that such tools only assist after damage has already been sustained. Citing a survey where two-thirds of Austrians reported experiencing fake reviews, the association is advocating for mandatory authenticity checks and verification mechanisms, pointing to existing legal frameworks in Italy as a potential model.

Recent reports indicate a rise in review extortion, particularly in Vienna, where hotel operators face guests using the threat of negative reviews to demand refunds or concessions, even for non-refundable bookings or no-shows. To counter this, industry representatives, including the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, are proposing that only verified customers who have actually consumed a service should be permitted to leave feedback, potentially requiring the use of real names for reviewers.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Tourism industry combats review extortion and guest misconduct

European tourism sectors are addressing rising issues of review extortion and guest misconduct, with Austria providing advisory support and Greece considering a “black list” for problematic travelers.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tourism-industry-combats-review-extortion-and-guest-misconduct

### 2026-08-17: Austrian Hotel Association calls for laws against fake reviews

The Austrian Hotel Association is calling for binding laws to prevent fake reviews, advocating for mandatory authenticity checks similar to regulations implemented in Italy.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austrian-hotel-association-calls-for-laws-against-fake-reviews

### 2026-08-14: Austria launches hotline to combat fake tourism reviews

Austria's Ministry of Tourism has launched a hotline and guide to help hospitality businesses combat fake and malicious online reviews.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austria-launches-emergency-helpline-to-combat-fake-online-reviews

---
Cite as: Austrian efforts to combat fake tourism reviews. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-efforts-to-combat-fake-tourism-reviews