Austria’s tourism sector is riding a high wave. Initial figures from Statistics Austria show overnight stays hit a remarkable 116.02 million from January to August 2025—the most in half a century. Even with global economic hiccups, the industry is still booming. That said, rising costs and finding enough staff are making it tough to keep the momentum going.
A Record Year for Overnight Stays
Overnight stays went up by a slight 0.3% from January to August 2024, clocking in at 116.02 million. International visitors were largely behind the rise, accounting for 87.05 million overnight stays (a 0.5% increase), while domestic bookings remained stable at 28.98 million. Germans topped the list with 43.49 million overnight stays, followed by Austrians (28.98 million), then the Dutch (9.31 million), Swiss and Liechtensteiners (3.05 million), and Czechs (3.24 million). It’s worth noting that German bookings saw a small 0.1% drop, showing a slight decrease in this major market.
Austria’s tourism is still thriving, proving its strength. Tyrol was the most popular region with 38.09 million overnight stays (a 0.5% increase), then Salzburg (23.61 million, up 0.3%), and Vienna (12.55 million, up 4.1%). Burgenland also enjoyed a solid 2.3% boost to 2.46 million, though Carinthia and Lower Austria saw dips of 2.1% and 1.4%, respectively.
Summer Success Fuels Optimism
The summer months (May to August) were especially successful, with 61.84 million overnight stays, a 1.1% climb from 2024. International guests accounted for 44.54 million of these (up 1.8%), while domestic bookings dipped slightly by 0.6% to 17.29 million. Arrivals rose by 1.3% to 19.56 million, with international arrivals up 2.3% to 13.49 million. However, German arrivals did fall 1% to 6.06 million.
August, the busiest summer month, saw 21.27 million overnight stays (a 0.7% increase), fueled by a 1.8% jump in international bookings to 16.1 million. Even so, German overnight stays fell 2.5% to 5.26 million, and regions like Lower Austria (down 5.2%), Vienna (down 2.9%), and Carinthia (down 2.5%) saw noticeable declines.
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Economic Challenges Amid Growth
Despite the impressive numbers, Georg Imlauer, chairman of the Hotel Industry Association of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), pointed out that more overnight stays don’t automatically mean economic success. “Cost pressures are still on the rise,” he said, adding that businesses are finding it hard to pass on higher costs to customers. A rainy July did lead to a slight slowdown in bookings, but August’s strong showing and a steady September have improved confidence.
Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner highlighted the sector’s resilience. “A good summer gives us hope for a strong winter season.” Still, she emphasized that having enough staff is essential, with plans to finalize seasonal labor quotas to ensure businesses can plan ahead. A recent regulation regarding tipping also seeks to provide more legal clarity for the industry.
Autumn and Winter Prospects
The outlook for the autumn holidays and Christmas season is “cautiously optimistic,” according to Imlauer. Short-term bookings have become the norm, so being flexible is key to staying competitive. Early bookings for the 2025/26 winter season, especially in classic winter destinations like Tyrol and Salzburg, are already looking good, suggesting that the year’s record-breaking trend could well continue.
Austria’s enduring appeal—thanks to its alpine scenery, cultural centers like Vienna, and year-round attractions—puts it in a good spot for continued tourism growth. However, dealing with rising costs and labor shortages will be crucial to making sure this boom translates into lasting economic success.