“It’s a beautiful industry, despite the difficult times that are behind us. I really enjoy my job and don’t actually have any other hobbies”, says Gertraud Scharinger, managing director of Scharinger Reisen in Geretsberg (district Braunau). The 64-year-old qualified accountant had gained experience in the travel industry before founding the company with her parents 42 years ago. It started with five used buses. Today, Scharinger Reisen operates as a bus company with nine drivers and offers trips itself as an organizer. In addition, the company is represented by two travel agencies in Geretsberg and Oberndorf and organizes air travel, cruises, city trips and company and club trips all over the world. Eight employees work in the travel agencies.
Until the outbreak of the corona pandemic, a location was also operated in Braunau, which had to be closed in the course of the pandemic. 2020 and 2021 were extremely tough for the industry, says Scharinger: “We were open all the time and there for our customers. Before that, we were happy if we could organize a trip. During Corona it was a success when we were able to reverse a trip and the customers got their money back.”
It stays in family hands
In 2022, however, the industry experienced an enormous upswing: “People are very keen to continue this year.” However, the sometimes sharply increased prices would dampen the desire to travel somewhat.
In addition to Greece, Turkey and Spain are also in high demand: “However, we notice that the number of travel days is reduced. Customers continue to do so more times a year.” According to their own statements, sales will have reached the pre-corona level again in 2022. Gertraud Scharinger does not give exact figures. The company is entirely family-run: Scharinger’s husband Steffen is the head of bus travel. Niece Michaela runs the group tours, her husband Martin is the driver.
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