Rax cable car hits historic record with 50,000 passenger journeys in August 2026.

An exceptional summer has brought the Rax cable car a historic highlight in its 100th anniversary year: Following a successful July, Austria's first passenger aerial tramway recorded approximately 50,000 journeys in August, an increase of 7 percent (3,000 journeys) compared to the previous year. September is also currently significantly above last year's level. "

• 50,000 passenger journeys in August 2026 for the Rax cable car

• The third quarter (including projections) of the Rax cable car will go down in the history books.

• New markets and guest structures

• Plus: Operator Bernd Scharfegger comments on the topic: “Restriction of workers from third countries”

We expect an increase of three to four percent in the third quarter. The fact that we are achieving this historic result in our anniversary year makes me proud and provides an additional boost of motivation for the upcoming autumn season. I am incredibly pleased for my team, who have done an outstanding job in recent months," says Bernd Scharfegger, operator of the Rax cable car and managing director of Scharfegger's Raxalpen Resort.

Several factors contributed to this record result: The consistently stable summer weather played a role, as did the increasing exodus from Vienna and the surrounding metropolitan areas to escape the heat. When temperatures in the city climb well above 30 degrees Celsius, the Rax mountain range, which can be reached from Vienna in about an hour by public transport or car, is a popular destination for alpine nature and recreation. At the same time, the development of international markets is also having an impact. Scharfegger explains: “Our effective cooperation with Vienna Tourism plays a key role here. As a result, we are welcoming more and more guests from the UK, Germany, China, and the USA. However, our main source markets abroad remain Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The visitor profile is also changing: More and more young people are discovering hiking, nature, and the mountains as a leisure and lifestyle experience.”

Rax cable car increases regional added value

More than 200,000 people use the Rax cable car annually. The high visitor numbers benefit not only this popular tourist destination. Guests stay overnight in the region, visit restaurants, shop, and use public transportation and tourist services. "They all contribute significantly to regional economic activity and secure numerous jobs," emphasizes Scharfegger, who views the current political debate about restricting workers from third countries with great concern: "Those who demand more tourism-related economic activity, higher tax revenues, and secure jobs in Austria cannot, on the other hand, deprive businesses of the very people who make this service possible in the first place. In my opinion, this discussion is partly completely detached from the realities of business operations."

Especially in mountain restaurants and at hard-to-reach tourist locations, the situation is different than in many traditional sectors. "I can say this very clearly from our daily experience: One employee from Nepal indirectly secures four Austrian jobs for us. Without these employees, we cannot maintain parts of our services in their current form. This would lead to a decrease in visitor numbers and added value – and ultimately, the jobs of Austrian employees would also be at risk," adds Scharfegger, also pointing out that employees from third countries are legally employed, pay taxes and social security contributions, and thus make a significant contribution to the Austrian economic and social system. He continues: "These people come to us to work. They pay social security, they pay taxes, they consume, and at the same time, they enable us to keep our businesses open. Our guests, our local employees, the region, and ultimately the state all benefit from this. Anyone who ignores these connections is turning a blind eye to the reality of Austrian tourism." The current record figures are the best proof of what functioning tourism businesses can do for a region.

Raxalpe

Following extensive modernization work, the Rax cable car, Austria's first passenger aerial tramway, has been transporting nature lovers and hikers to the Rax plateau again since July 2016. For around 50 years, this flagship tourist attraction of the Vienna Alps in Lower Austria has been owned by the Scharfegger family, who, with their numerous hotels and restaurants, provide valuable tourism impetus to the region.