Austrian Alps Grows Year-Round Tourism
3rd June 2025
Last modified on August 26th, 2025
At a recent joint news conference the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism and the Austrian National Tourist Board, together with Statistics Austria, presented current figures and analyses on tourism development in Austria.
One aspect that stands out is that trips are increasingly taking place, and being planned, during the pre- and post-season.
Spring and Autumn are becoming more popular.
Guests from the UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands travel particularly frequently during the off-season.
The main reasons cited for traveling in the pre- and post-season are lower prices, fewer tourist crowds, more pleasant temperatures, and a quieter atmosphere.
“As the 50-year review shows, overnight stays in Austria are increasingly distributed more evenly throughout the year, with all months being used for travel,” says tourism expert at Statistics Austria, Peter Laimer.
“Year-round tourism isn’t just a buzzword. Year-round tourism has long been a reality here with clear advantages for the regions.
“It ensures predictability, local jobs, and quality of life. In short, things don’t just run smoothly during the peak season.
“With our ‘Austria is just a way of life’ campaign and targeted activities, we are shining a spotlight on the highlights of this holiday destination year-round.”
St Johann, Austria, in early summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Here at PlanetSKI we skied in Gurgl Austria last November as we were in the resort for World Cup racing:
Plus we have been skiing in the Austrian Alps well into May:
Stubai in mid-May. Image © PlanetSKI
Stubai in mid-May. Image © PlanetSKI
We have also enjoyed Summer activities in the Spring:
Plus we have also been in the early summer outside the peak dates:
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Along with diversification of dates, tourist boards and resorts are actively looking to offer more than just skiing and snowboarding to their guests in the winter months.
“Skiing will remain the core product of Tirolean winter tourism for the foreseeable future,” said the Managing Director of Tirol Werbung, Karin Seiler.
“At the same time, due to changing needs and conditions, the offering can no longer be limited to just on-piste sports.
“With the so-called ‘Skiing Plus,’ a diverse range of activities, from winter hiking to wellness and culinary delights, has been shaping the range of activities available alongside the slopes for years.”
Ski touring is one of the fastest growing activities.
Axamer Lizum, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Axamer Lizum, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Food in Hochkönig, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Last month on PlanetSKI we reported on an overall healthy winter for Austria:
However, the Tirol reported a fall in visitors up to the end of March last winter with figures down compared to the previous year.
The Tirol slashed its direct marketing spend in the UK last winter, and cut back on its PR presence.
There was a 0.8% fall in arrivals and 1.3% drop in overnight stays in the Tirol.
While the first half of the season, from November to January, was very positive, the second half proved challenging.
There was little natural snow, a lack of winter spirit in the markets, and the lack of a leap day have caused demand to decline slightly compared to the previous year, despite good piste conditions.
Especially for lower-lying regions, it was not possible to take advantage of the late Easter holidays.
“We knew that this year’s season would not be easy given the current holiday situation, so the result is no surprise,” said the chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Industry division of the Tirol Chamber of Commerce, Alois Rainer.
“Guests’ willingness to spend has also declined somewhat in light of economic crises and other factors.
“Therefore, it is not always possible for businesses to pass on the significantly increased costs.”
“The fact that our industry is so successful despite these diverse challenges once again demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the businesses to quality.”
From a snow perspective some of the largest falls in Austria and elsewhere in the Alps were not in Winter, but rather Autumn and Spring:
- Austrian Alps hammered by huge autumn snowfall
- Fabulous skiing conditions for late April as season ends
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