Austria: Tourism experts are expecting a very strong season

In the east of Austria, with late summer temperatures, it’s hard to imagine that the ski season in the west is about to begin or has even already started for one or two early birds – for example on Kitzsteinhorn.

In addition, there is the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup Sold next weekend. And also the World Ski Championships Saalbach-Hinterglemm February is already casting its positive advertising shadow for tourism professionals.

The Tourism State Secretary said on Friday that nothing should stand in the way of another very strong winter season Susanne Kraus Winklerthe head of Austria Advertising, Anita Steharnig-Staudinger and cable car chairman Franz Hörl from the Zillertal agree.

Of course, there are still major challenges for the industry – for example when it comes to price developments. The Lift ticket prices will rise by an average of 3 to 4 percent this year, said Hörl. This puts us back in the inflation zone, said the Tyrolean.

He is very skeptical about the development “Dynamic Pricing”because in extreme cases the lift ticket is most expensive when skiing is at its best and most guests come. The preference given to local guests by an upcoming EU regulation is also problematic. Here you currently react with the preferred, earlier time Sales of season tickets to locals.

The bottom line is that the local ski areas score points with an attractive price-performance ratio compared to Switzerland, France or the USA, noted Hörl.

Sustainability is a top priority

Another challenge is the topic sustainabilitymore and more guests are concerned about environmental and nature conservation. Despite all efforts to electrify the facilities and use green electricity, the issue of getting there still remains. Here we are primarily dependent on the large European railways, which, given the problems of the German railways, is currently tantamount to an open construction site.

Possible snow-free winters are also a concern. Here, Steharnig-Staudinger assures us that there are generally the best piste conditions in higher regions: “Nobody comes to Austria for the valley run.”

In any case, holidaymakers want to be more generous this year than last year, according to another result of the study. Finally, the economic situation of those surveyed has improved significantly compared to the previous year. Accordingly, 8 percent want to spend significantly more on vacation trips this year, and 27 percent want to spend a little more. For 45 percent, their vacation may cost the same this year as last year. Only 13 percent want to save. Last year, however, 19 percent said they wanted to spend less.

When it comes to accommodation, there is an increase in all hotel classes compared to the 2024 summer season, especially hotels with one or two stars and those in the middle classes should be able to look forward to better occupancy. However, declines are to be expected for holiday homes, holiday homes and apartments.