From May to October Austrian tourism recorded a significant increase in overnight stays compared to the pandemic year 2020 (+22 percent), but still a considerable decrease compared to the record summer of 2019 (-17 percent).

After a very high occupancy rate in August and September, the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) forecast a decline in overnight stays (-14 percent) compared to 2019 in October. The current sharp increase in new Covid-19 infections in Austria, but also in large parts of Europe, represents a clear downside risk for the coming months and thus the beginning of the winter season. In November and the Advent season, however, the hotel industry is traditionally only under-utilized, the main season in winter tourism starts with Christmas. “Should additional and comprehensive restrictions be necessary at the end of December or travel warnings exist, this would imply considerable losses for Austrian tourism,” the broadcast said.