Stefan Bogensperger, General Manager of Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, reflects on boutique hospitality, sustainability, and guest experience in Vienna’s historic center, in conversation with Alexander Chetchikov, President of World Luxury Chamber of Commerce. The discussion follows the hotel’s recognition through the International Sustainability Awards for Sustainable Boutique Hospitality at Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, a privately run 4-star city hotel combining Viennese hospitality, modern comfort, and a responsible approach to hotel operations.

Alexander Chetchikov:  Congratulations on Boutique Hotel Das Tigra’s recognition for Sustainable Boutique Hospitality. How would you describe the leadership philosophy behind Boutique Hotel Das Tigra today?

Stefan Bogensperger: THE SOUND OF AN INSPIRING WORKPLACE, Why Working at the Hotel is Fulfilling. We offer our employees the opportunity to familiarize themselves with all aspects of our environmentally friendly hotel powered by green energy. From working in the office handling the first booking request to creating a vibrant atmosphere in our bar area where we celebrate a successful day with a refreshing drink. The major advantages that make joining our Tigra orchestra team appealing include flexible work hours, generous benefits, and a dependable workplace. Are you a mother with caregiving responsibilities? Our shift schedules offer ideal arrangements to balance life with children and a career. Are you a student? We can plan your work schedule to accommodate your lectures. Do you want to work and also work on yourself? Our coaching and training programs provide many incentives. These include first aid with defibrillator training, language courses, and workshops on safety topics such as fire safety and elevator usage. Thanks to our collaboration with reputable institutions like the Samaritan Association, Wifi, Adult Education Center, IFBS, Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV), and Hogast, our certified training programs significantly enhance your professional profile. And, of course, we don’t forget the importance of social interaction. Whether you prefer rolling bowling balls or sinking billiard balls at our company gatherings will be decided at the regular meetings, just like all other essential questions.

AC: What defines a meaningful boutique hotel experience in Vienna’s historic center?

SB: For Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, these elements naturally come together because of its unique identity:  A historic building in Vienna’s oldest district. The place where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once lived. A third-generation family-run hotel. Personal service rather than anonymous hospitality. Award-winning breakfast featuring regional products. Commitment to sustainability through the Austrian Eco Label and the EU Ecolabel. These characteristics make the hotel more than accommodation—they create an experience rooted in Vienna itself.

AC: How do you balance traditional Viennese hospitality with the expectations of contemporary travelers?

SB: We believe that traditional Viennese hospitality is timeless—but the way we deliver it must evolve with the needs of today’s travelers. This philosophy is reflected in everything we do. Our heritage is rooted in Vienna’s historic center, in a building with centuries of history and a unique connection to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. As a family-owned hotel in its third generation, we value the qualities that have always defined exceptional hospitality: genuine warmth, personal attention, discretion, and the feeling of being sincerely welcomed. At the same time, today’s guests expect more than friendly service. They want a seamless digital experience, fast Wi-Fi, comfortable rooms, sustainable practices, transparent communication, and local recommendations that help them experience Vienna like a resident rather than simply visit it. Our approach is therefore not to choose between tradition and innovation, but to combine both. We preserve the character of a historic boutique hotel while continuously investing in modern comfort, technology, sustainability, and operational excellence. Digital tools support our team—they never replace the personal interaction that defines our hospitality. This balance is also reflected in the guest experience. We welcome guests with the professionalism and warmth of a traditional Viennese hotel, while offering contemporary amenities, an award-winning breakfast featuring regional products, environmentally responsible operations, and knowledgeable recommendations that connect visitors with the authentic Vienna beyond the main attractions. Ultimately, we believe that the expectations of modern travelers have changed, but one thing remains constant: people remember how a hotel made them feel. If guests leave with the impression that they experienced the real Vienna through genuine hospitality, thoughtful service, and authentic local connections, then we have achieved exactly the balance we strive for.

AC: What role does sustainability play in the hotel’s daily operations and long-term planning?

SB: At Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, sustainability is not a separate initiative—it is a guiding principle that influences our daily operations and our long-term strategic decisions. We believe that true sustainability means taking responsibility for the future of our guests, our employees, our city, and the generations that will follow us. As a family-owned hotel in its third generation, we naturally think beyond short-term results and focus on creating lasting value. In our daily operations, this means making conscious choices that reduce our environmental impact without compromising the guest experience. We source many products locally and regionally, continuously improve our energy and water efficiency, separate and reduce waste, and encourage responsible consumption throughout the hotel. Our award-winning breakfast emphasizes quality, regional ingredients, and seasonal products, while our environmental certifications—the Austrian Eco Label and the EU Ecolabel—provide an independent framework for continuous improvement rather than being goals in themselves. Sustainability also shapes how we invest. Whether modernizing our building systems, improving energy efficiency, selecting durable materials, or planning future renovations, environmental performance is considered alongside guest comfort, operational efficiency, and the preservation of our historic property. We see these investments not only as ecological responsibilities but also as essential to maintaining the hotel’s quality and resilience for decades to come. Equally important is the social dimension of sustainability. We believe that excellent hospitality begins with a motivated and valued team. By fostering a respectful working environment, supporting employee development, and building long-term relationships with local suppliers and partners, we contribute to a sustainable business that benefits the wider community. For our guests, sustainability should feel natural rather than intrusive. We want them to enjoy an authentic Viennese experience with the confidence that their stay supports a hotel that operates responsibly and thoughtfully.

AC: How does a family-run hotel maintain consistency while preserving a personal atmosphere?

SB: Our consistency comes from shared values and high standards; our personal atmosphere comes from the freedom to treat every guest as an individual, with genuine warmth and authentic Viennese hospitality.

AC: What opportunities do you see for smaller independent hotels to contribute to more responsible tourism?

SB:  Smaller independent hotels have a unique opportunity to shape the future of tourism—not through scale, but through authenticity, responsibility, and meaningful local connections. At Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, we believe that responsible tourism begins with conscious decisions made every day. Independent hotels are often more agile than large international brands, allowing them to implement sustainable practices, support local businesses, and adapt quickly to changing guest expectations. One of our greatest strengths is our close relationship with the destination. We can recommend family-run cafés, traditional restaurants, local artisans, museums, and cultural institutions that reflect the authentic character of Vienna. By encouraging guests to explore beyond the most crowded attractions, we help distribute tourism more evenly throughout the city and support the local economy. Responsible tourism also means preserving what makes a destination unique. As custodians of a historic building in Vienna’s city center, we see it as our responsibility to protect the architectural and cultural heritage entrusted to us while ensuring it remains relevant and welcoming for future generations. Investing in the careful maintenance of historic properties is, in itself, an important contribution to sustainable urban tourism. Environmental responsibility is equally important. Independent hotels can make a real difference through energy-efficient operations, responsible purchasing, waste reduction, regional sourcing, and continuous investment in sustainable technologies. These initiatives may seem modest individually, but together they create measurable long-term impact. Equally significant is the human aspect. Independent hotels often build lasting relationships with their employees, suppliers, and guests. Stable teams, partnerships with regional producers, and a genuine commitment to service create value that extends well beyond the hotel itself. Finally, we believe independent hotels have an important role in influencing how people experience travel. Rather than simply offering accommodation, we can inspire guests to slow down, stay longer, discover local culture, respect the destination, and engage with the city in a more thoughtful way. Tourism becomes more meaningful when visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the place they have visited.

AC: What priorities will guide Boutique Hotel Das Tigra as it continues to evolve?

SB: Our future will be shaped by the same values that have shaped our past – genuine hospitality, the responsible use of our resources, continuous improvement and a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences that reflect the true spirit of Vienna. We are also planning to phase out gas in favor of heat pumps as part of our ongoing commitment to environmental susta

The interview positions Stefan Bogensperger’s leadership within the wider discussion of independent hospitality, responsible operations, and destination-based guest experience. It matters because boutique hotels such as Das Tigra show how sustainability, local connection, and consistent service standards can be integrated into an urban hospitality model.

Discover more about Boutique Hotel Das Tigra: https://www.hotel-tigra.at/en/