The combination of active exploration in the landscape and regional gastronomy is gaining increasing importance in European tourism. Under the guiding principle of "Taste Tourism," the "Hochgenuss" platform, an initiative of the Austrian Hiking Villages, specifically highlights offerings where food and drink are no longer just a necessary break, but a central part of the travel experience.
Four Austrian regions have been identified as leaders in this segment for the year 2026: Bad Kreuzen in Upper Austria, the Hochkönig region in Salzburg, and Kitzbühel and the Paznaun-Ischgl region in Tyrol. These areas are characterized by a high density of direct marketers, alpine huts with their own production facilities, and themed routes.
In Upper Austria, Bad Kreuzen focuses primarily on combining traditional Kneipp therapy with regional cuisine, while the Hochkönig region in Salzburg has become known for its world's first certified "vegan alpine farming" and its "Culinary King's Tours." Here, vacationers can hike from mountain hut to mountain hut on marked trails, with each stop dedicated to a specific course of a regional menu. This form of tourism staging ensures that local producers and farm shops are directly integrated into the value chain of hiking tourism, and that the cultural identity of the Alpine regions remains tangible.
The Tyrolean regions of Kitzbühel and Paznaun, on the other hand, are increasingly focusing on combining top-class gastronomy with alpine sports. In Paznaun, the "Culinary Way of St. James" has been attracting international guests for years, with renowned chefs sponsoring individual mountain huts and reinterpreting traditional dishes at a high level. In Kitzbühel, the focus is on connecting luxury restaurants with traditional mountain farms. Trends indicate that by 2026, travelers will increasingly value the traceability of food and direct contact with producers, a process coordinated by specialized platforms like "Hochgenuss" (High Indulgence).
From an economic perspective, this trend represents a crucial pillar for alpine agriculture, as local restaurants and cafes serve as showcases for regional products. The Austrian Hiking Villages, an association of over 40 regions, have been promoting this development since the establishment of their specialized platform in 2022. The aim is to strengthen the emotional connection between visitors and the region through culinary experiences. In doing so, the tourism sector is responding to changing consumer behavior, where the quality of dining options has become just as important a factor in choosing a holiday destination as the condition of the hiking trails themselves.