Book tip of the week: Positive leadership saves the hotel industry

A must-read for anyone with responsibility in the hotel industry
Storylution Verlag
Storylution Verlag
16. March 2025

 | Editorial team

The hotel industry is under pressure: the shortage of skilled workers is worsening, staff turnover remains high and expectations of employers are higher than ever. Vivien Schulter tackles precisely this area of tension with “Positive Leadership saves the hotel industry” – and delivers a long overdue manifesto for a new leadership culture in the industry.

What makes this book so special? It goes far beyond mere theories. Schulter shows that modern leadership is not just about numbers, rosters and hierarchies, but about real human relationships. She makes it clear that appreciation is not just an empty phrase, but a business model. And she backs this up with tangible, immediately implementable strategies that hotel businesses of all sizes can use.

Info:
Storylution Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7115-7288-2
76 pages

Practical & inspiring

I was particularly impressed by the focus on individual strengths: instead of forcing employees into rigid roles, Schulter advocates recognizing and promoting talent and thus creating long-term relationships. An approach that not only ensures better employee satisfaction, but is also directly reflected in the guest experience.

This book is a must-read for anyone with responsibility in the hotel industry – from small family businesses to large hotel chains. It is practical, inspiring and shows impressively that change is not only possible, but also economically smart.

Our conclusion

A game changer for managers in the hotel industry. Anyone who wants to help shape the future of the industry should read this book!

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
Storylution Verlag

Book tip: Pasta al Pomodoro

Pasta that brings people together – 55 stories of a great love

It doesn’t take much to bring people together – sometimes all you need is tomatoes, pasta, and a pinch of history. In Pasta al Pomodoro, author Ilse Fischer focuses on a classic dish that is much more than just noodles with sauce: it is a symbol of community, memory, and flavor in its purest form.

The idea came about when Fischer tasted three-star chef Niko Romito’s signature dish, “Spaghetti e Pomodoro” – simple, clear, and yet stunningly deep. “Few ingredients, simple preparation, unique taste,” she recalls. And this experience became the starting point for a project that combines culinary art, emotion, and culture.

In 55 variations, she shows how differently and yet how closely connected this classic dish can be interpreted—from Italian nonnas to culinary greats such as Heinz Reitbauer, Andreas Caminada, Johann Lafer, Norbert Niederkofler, Rudi Obauer, and Tina Marcelli. Even artists and actors such as Philipp Hochmair and Walter Grüll contribute their personal versions.

INFO
Pasta al Pomodoro – 55 variations on the Italian classic
Author: Ilse Fischer
Photography: Ingolf Hatz
Foreword: Placido Domingo
Publisher: Christian Verlag GmbH
Length: 208 pages
ISBN: 978-3-95961-958-5
Price: €30.90 (D/A)

Guest chef at Ikarus: Álvaro Salazar

A culinary journey from Andalusia to Mallorca

When Mediterranean lightness meets Andalusian temperament, the result is a menu that is more than just an arrangement of courses: it becomes a narrative about origins, freedom, and the longing for new perspectives. In December 2025, two-star chef Álvaro Salazar from VORO in Mallorca will take over as guest chef of the month at Restaurant Ikarus – and take Salzburg on a sensory journey between Andalusia and the Balearic Islands.

Book tip: Porto – The Cookbook

A love letter to flavors, the Atlantic Ocean, and authenticity

“Porto – The Cookbook” by Sylvie Da Silva brings the flavors of the Atlantic city to life in book form. The focus is not only on the food, but also on the culture behind it – from hearty home cooking to delicate monastery desserts.

The work captivates with its mixture of recipes and travel impressions. Each chapter takes readers on an enjoyable journey of discovery – including stories about ingredients, regions, and people. The balance between culinary depth and emotional closeness is particularly successful.

INFO
Porto – The Cookbook
Author: Sylvie Da Silva
Publisher: Südwest Verlag
192 pages, approx. 120 color photos
ISBN: 978-3-517-10389-1
Price: €24.00 (Germany) / €24.70 (Austria) / CHF 33.50

quick & dirty
© Storylution publishing house
Book tip of the week: Positive leadership saves the hotel industry

The hotel industry is under pressure: the shortage of skilled workers is worsening, staff turnover remains high and expectations of employers are higher than ever. Vivien Schulter tackles precisely this area of tension with “Positive Leadership saves the hotel industry” – and delivers a long overdue manifesto for a new leadership culture in the industry.

What makes this book so special? It goes far beyond mere theories. Schulter shows that modern leadership is not just about numbers, rosters and hierarchies, but about real human relationships. She makes it clear that appreciation is not just an empty phrase, but a business model. And she backs this up with tangible, immediately implementable strategies that hotel businesses of all sizes can use.

Info:
Storylution Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7115-7288-2
76 pages