With an increase of 6,7% compared to the previous year, the Austrian tourism industry is in excellent shape at the start of the 2024/25 winter season. In November 2024, domestic accommodation establishments recorded 5,52 million overnight stays, a clear increase compared to the 5,18 million overnight stays in November 2023. These preliminary figures, published by Statistics Austria, underline the importance of tourism as a key economic sector in the country and provide an optimistic outlook for the entire season. The excellent booking figures during the Christmas and New Year holidays confirm Austria's attractiveness as a winter travel destination. The mild weather, which even allowed people to linger on terraces in regions with less snow, contributed to the short-term booking situation. Hans Spreitzhofer, chairman of the Hotel Industry Association in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasises: "The current overnight stay figures are a positive signal for our industry and show that we are on the right track." But despite the positive start, Spreitzhofer warns against premature euphoria. He points out that economic success cannot be measured by overnight stay figures alone. High energy prices, rising personnel costs and necessary investments are putting a strain on many companies. Clear political support is therefore required to stabilise the industry in the long term. Proposals such as reducing non-wage labour costs or shortening depreciation periods could relieve financial burdens on companies and enable them to remain competitive. A resilient sector with potential The past few years, marked by pandemic-related challenges and economic uncertainty, have shown that the Austrian tourism industry is adaptable. The resilience of the companies and the high demand prove that guests' trust in the quality and offer is unbroken. Spreitzhofer emphasises: "The overnight stay figures