Increase in Winter Stays in Austria
26th May 2025
Last modified on May 29th, 2025
There were 51m overnight stays in the 2024/25 season according to figures released by Statistics Austria.
The figure is an increase of 1.5% on the previous year and the number of overnight stays by domestic guests went up by 3.5%.
“The figures confirm that our tourism industry remains an economic powerhouse – especially in winter,” said the Secretary of State for Tourism, Elisabeth Zehetner.
However, February 2025 recorded a decline of 7.2% compared to the same month last year with 17.15m overnight stays
Reasons for this include the absence of a leap year and the Bavarian and Dutch holidays, which take place in March this year.
“We’re not talking about a structural decline here, but rather a seasonal effect,” added Zehetner.
“Nevertheless, such fluctuations demonstrate the importance of targeted measures to boost winter tourism – especially in times of climate change and changing travel habits.”
One area that did well was Ötztal.
It saw more than 3 million overnight stays – an increase of 3.9% and its largest ever total
There was a 6.3% rise in skiers from the UK in Otztal with a total of 215,000 overnight stays.
The UK is the third largest international market after Germany and the Netherlands.
“Our highly motivated partner businesses and key service providers make a significant contribution to ensuring that we offer exactly what our guests are looking for in winter: outstanding winter sports expertise and a full range of top-notch offers coupled with absolutely unique snow guarantee and top-quality on the slopes,” said the Managing Director of Ötztal Tourismus, Oliver Schwarz.
He attributes the successful winter season to several factors:
- Focusing on one’s own strengths
- Two World Cup race events at the start of the season
- A favorable holiday calendar
- A late Easter date
- Effective communication on the relevant international markets
PlanetSKI’s James Cove was in Gurgl in the Otztal Vally in November 2024 for the World Cup slalom races.
James Cove & Dave Ryding. Image c/o PlanetSKI
Later in the winter reporter Jane Peel visited Innsbruck:
Jane Peel in Kühtai, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Plus, Jane visited Hochkonig:
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel in Hochkönig, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI reporter Simon Miller reported from Nassfeld in Carinthia.
Nassfeld, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
The Austrian Cable Car Association of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has also reported rising figures for the 2024/25 winter season.
Ski Welt, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
A total of 49.7 million first-time visitors were recorded between November and March last winter – that’s an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the previous year and it continues the positive trend of the past three years.
After evaluating the final data, the Association expects an increase of 5% once Easter is taken into account.
“The Austrian skiing experience remains at the top level worldwide and remains consistently among the top three,” said the Association Chairman, Franz Hörl.
However, there was a rapid decline in numbers towards the end of the season.
“Here, it was particularly difficult for the lower-elevation ski areas to ensure operations,: added Franz Hörl.
“As a result, many guests’ enthusiasm for skiing and snowboarding also noticeably declined.”
The trade association assumes that this trend will continue and therefore requires appropriate responses from the industry.
“This includes the fact that operations in the summer are becoming an increasingly important mainstay, and the trend towards mountain holidays in the warmer months must continue to strengthen,” said Hörl.
Here at PlanetSKI we have visited Austria many times in the summer and are planning to be in the Austrian Alps this summer too.
See here for some of our reports:
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
St Johann in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
St Johann in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer in St Johann. Image © PlanetSKI
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