Glossary

Guest admission contract

A guest admission contract governs the paid admission of a guest and the agreed services, including the special liability for items brought into the accommodation business.

In brief

The term guest admission contract describes the legal relationship in which an innkeeper admits a guest for payment and provides the agreed services. This normally includes accommodation and any additional services agreed at the time of booking or during the stay. The booking, its confirmation and the agreed conditions are therefore particularly important.

Special rules apply under Sections 970 to 970b of the Austrian General Civil Code, or ABGB, to items brought by a guest into the accommodation business. In principle, the innkeeper is liable in a similar way to a custodian, subject to the limits set by law. Section 970a ABGB applies to valuables, money and securities. Once the guest becomes aware of damage, it must be reported without delay unless the item was expressly taken into safekeeping.

In everyday use, guest admission contract and accommodation contract are often used in closely related ways. The term guest admission contract emphasises the admission of the guest and the liability connected with it. The accommodation contract entry explains the contractual services connected with providing accommodation.