The Austrian tourism industry is recording a significant increase in overnight stays during the current 2025/26 winter season. According to the latest data for the period from November to January, overnight stays rose to a total of 36,11 million, representing an increase of 5,6 percent compared to the same period last year. January 2026 proved to be particularly strong, with 16,43 million bookings.
Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner sees this development as confirmation of the high service quality and international competitiveness of domestic accommodation establishments, which enjoy unbroken trust from both domestic and foreign guests.
A key driver of this positive momentum is international demand, which saw an increase of 6,7 percent. Tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic, in particular, are shaping the landscape in the Alpine resorts. At the same time, domestic tourism is strengthening, which the industry interprets as a sign of Austrians' strong identification with their domestic holiday offerings. Industry analyses underscore that the strategic focus on value creation and professional infrastructure is crucial in maintaining Austria's position as a leading destination in European winter tourism.
A key political issue this season is the legal safeguarding of regional tariffs, often referred to as local rates. A recent successful negotiation at the EU level regarding the evaluation of the geoblocking regulation is intended to pave the way for legally secure discounts for the local population. The aim is to strengthen public support for tourism in these regions. It is argued that those who support the tourism infrastructure on a daily basis should directly share in its economic success through fair pricing models. This is considered a crucial factor for the acceptance of major events and the expansion of cable car systems.
Despite the positive interim results, the industry faces structural challenges such as the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and increased operating costs in the energy sector. Experts point out that maintaining high service quality while simultaneously managing cost pressures requires precise business calculations. The coming months of late winter will show whether this momentum continues until the end of the season. Tourism policy continues to focus on closely integrating regional value creation and international marketing to secure its leading position in the Alpine region in the long term.