Upper Austria in the tourism boom: cyclists stay longer and spend more!

Upper Austria in the tourism boom: cyclists stay longer and spend more!

Oberösterreich, Österreich - Tourism in Upper Austria blooms! Many people are already planning their short vacation for the upcoming Pentecost weekend, and the domestic tourismists are optimistic about the booking situation for the first half of the holiday. The State Tourism Council Markus Achleitner emphasizes that many people are looking for a balance on vacation, especially in times of crisis. Despite increasing living expenses, guests save on side editions, depending on the price category of their accommodations.

In the past tourism season, which lasted from November 2023 to October 2024, impressive 3.2 million guests were welcomed in Upper Austria, which corresponds to an increase of 3.36 percent. The number of overnight stays was 8.9 million-a record with an increase of 27 percent compared to the 6.9 million overnight stays ten years ago ( meinzirk.at ). In comparison, Tyrol and Salzburg recorded 79.3 million overnight stays in the previous year.

cycling in the focus

Particular attention is paid to cycling and mountain bike tourism. 40 percent of the guests mainly travel to Upper Austria, with 39 percent of vacationers to ride the bike. The fascination for the varied alpine nature attracts visitors, and the 6000 kilometers of bike paths in all seven tourism destinations make Upper Austria an ideal destination for cyclists. This target group is now attributed to an above -average length of stay, and with an average of 210 euros per day, they also spend 15 percent more than the average traveler. Christoph Glasner, marketing manager of Upper Austria Tourismus, emphasizes the great potential of cyclists for the region.

The "Liaba Dahoam" campaign should not only attract tourists from abroad, but also motivate locals to spend their vacation in their own homeland. Over 50 percent of the guests came from Austria in 2024, with Germany and the Czech Republic the largest international markets.

challenges and future prospects

Despite the current upswing, the industry is fighting with two major challenges: the shortage of skilled workers and a price -adjusted decline in added value. Gerold Royda, chairman of the tourism and leisure industry division in the WKOÖ, reports on support for companies who are urgently looking for employees. The introduction of the new double apprenticeship "hotel and restaurant specialist" already shows success and is in demand for young people. In addition, initiatives are taken to recruit personnel, such as the 'Get the Job' project, which is specifically promoting specialists in schools for the professions of the tourism industry.