Preliminary overnight stay statistics published by Statistics Austria show a positive trend in Austrian winter tourism.

The preliminary overnight stay statistics published by Statistics Austria for February 2026 and the current winter season show a positive trend in Austrian winter tourism. In February, 18.09 million overnight stays were reported, an increase of 5.1 percent compared to the previous year. In the first four months of the 2025/26 winter season, from November to February, a total of 54.25 million overnight stays were registered, representing an increase of 5.5 percent. This growth is primarily driven by international demand.

Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner says: “These figures are a good sign for employment and regional value creation. They mean full beds, work for many people and income for businesses in the tourism regions. Especially in economically challenging times, it is crucial that value creation remains in the regions and is not only visible in statistics.”

Zehetner also emphasizes the current mood and the industry's responsibility. "We know that the energy crisis is putting a strain on many households and businesses, and that price issues are dominating the public debate. Tourism is often in the spotlight, even though the industry is at the end of the value chain in many areas and is feeling the pinch of rising energy, personnel, and supply chain costs. Many restaurateurs and hoteliers are struggling with tight margins while maintaining high quality. It is therefore all the more important that growth is not perceived as a driver of inflation, but rather as a contribution to stability, regional income, and secure employment."

“High occupancy rates alone are not enough. Tourism needs acceptance because it shapes living spaces. Our goal is therefore clear. Success shouldn't just be on paper, but should be reflected in the bottom line and be tangible for the people on the ground. This means that businesses can invest, employees have fair prospects, and the regional economy benefits without further increasing cost pressures,” said Zehetner.

In conclusion, Zehetner states: “The winter season is developing encouragingly. This is a good sign that tourism can contribute to the economic upswing. For this contribution to be widely accepted, we need to make the right adjustments. With the national tourism strategy Vision T, which we will present on June 15th, we are addressing precisely this issue. We want quality, added value, and affordable conditions to go hand in hand. Then the tourism regions will benefit, and ultimately, so will we all.”