National data
Tourism is an important industry for the economy of Austria. According to the Austrian Tourism Satellite Account, tourism is estimated to have contributed 6.5% to GDP in 2025, compared with 6.4% in 2024.
Austria has become one of the leading tourism destinations worldwide over the past decades. Despite its small size and population, it has ranked among the 15 most visited countries globally in recent years. Domestic and foreign guests spent around EUR 41.5 billion in 2025, which is an increase of 5.8% compared to 2024 (EUR 39.2 billion). The value added of tourism (direct and indirect) accounted for EUR 33.1 billion in 2025 (2024: EUR 31.4 billion). The average nominal tourism export per capita was EUR 2 744 in 2025 (2024: EUR 2 640). The tourism industry´s share of total employment was approximately 4.4% in 2025 (2024: 4.3%).
Austria features:
- 695 mountain peaks higher than 3 000 m, 6 national parks, 47 nature parks, around 600 mountain huts, 64 000 km hiking trails and more than 20 000 km of safe cycle traffic network, inviting guests to not only active but also relaxing outdoor holidays. The Alps cover nearly two-thirds of Austria's surface.
- 12 UNESCO world heritages and plenty of intangible cultural heritages (such as the Christmas Carol "Silent Night", the Spanish Riding School and the Viennese coffee house culture); 800 museums, countless festivals and cultural events every year, stretching from small regional gatherings to major international events; more than 100 conference, exhibition and event centres with around 27 000 congresses, seminars and conferences per year.
- more than 96 000 businesses in the tourism and leisure industry; 73 200 accommodation providers with around 1.2 million guest beds, plus 760 campsites.
- 23 700 hectares of ski slopes, 1 111 cableway installations and 1415 surface lifts and more than 700 ski schools.
- numerous convention hotels, 88 convention and exhibition halls and many other special event locations, hosting around 10 400 congresses, conferences and seminars with half a million participants generating 811 000 overnights in 2021.
- rivers and lakes with the highest bathing water quality: 800 outdoor, natural and indoor swimming pools; 39 thermal spas, countless wellness hotels and health resorts.
- cities and destinations with an excellent quality of life - Vienna is number 2 worlwide.
- numerous regional specialities; highest share of organic farmland in the EU.
Guests in Austria
In 2025, Austria reached a new all-time high with 157.3 million overnight stays. For the third consecutive year — following the strong results of 2023 and 2024 — the country exceeded the 150-million mark. A total of 48.2 million arrivals were recorded, including 33.5 million international guests. Compared to 2024, arrivals increased by 3.1%, while overnight stays rose by 1.9%, underscoring Austria’s continued attractiveness as a leading travel destination. Germany, Austria and the Netherlands remained the three largest source markets, together accounting for more than two-thirds of all overnight stays in 2025.
Destinations in Austria
In 2025, the majority of guests travelled to Tyrol, followed by Salzburg and the capital, Vienna. Together, Tyrol and Salzburg accounted for more than half of all overnight stays, totalling nearly 81 million. City tourism in Austria continues to thrive. In 2025, Vienna and the capitals of the federal states recorded more than 29 million overnight stays — an increase of 5.7% compared to 2024. Vienna exceeded the 20-million mark for the first time.
On average, guests stayed in Austria for 3.3 nights in 2025. In the 2024/2025 winter season, the average expenditure per tourist and per night in Austria amounted to EUR 238, while in the summer season 2025 it stood at EUR 193 (excluding passenger transport). In both seasons, around three-quarters of the guests travelled to Austria by car, while 11% arrived by train in winter and 14% in summer.
Tourism throughout the Year
Austria traditionally has two seasons: a summer season (May to October) and a winter season (November to April), with peaks in August and February.
The 2025/2026 winter season generated 74.3 million overnights, representing an increase of 2.6% compared to the 2024/2025 winter season (72.4 million overnight stays). With 83.4 million overnights, the 2025 summer season also exceeded the previous year´s level (81.6 million overnight stays). While the demand generally remains higher during the summer season, winter surpasses summer in terms of tourism receipts.
A central goal of the Austrian tourism strategy is to become a year-round destination. By 2035, the share of overnights outside of the peak months January, February, July and August should exceed 60%. The diverse range of offerings — including outdoor activities suitable for different weather conditions throughout the year, as well as health and wellness, cultural and culinary tourism — supports this objective.