Austria is a land where alpine landscapes meet imperial history.
From the snow-capped peaks of Tyrol to Vienna’s opera houses and Salzburg’s baroque charm, the country attracts millions of travelers each year.
Ranking among the top 15 most visited countries worldwide, Austria had its most successful tourism year in 2024, welcoming 46.7 million arrivals and generating 154.3 million overnight stays.
Tourism is a cornerstone of the Austrian economy and cultural identity.
How Many Tourists Visit Austria Each Year?
- 2024 saw 46.71 million arrivals, a 3.3% increase over 2023 and 1.1% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
- That same year, 154.29 million overnight stays were recorded—a 2.1% uptick from 2023 and a new all-time high.
- Of these, 114.04 million were by international guests, while 40.25 million were domestic overnight stays.
- In 2019, Austria welcomed 31.9 million international visitors.
- In 2022, after pandemic recovery, the country recorded 26.2 million arrivals.
- In 2023, numbers bounced back strongly with 32 million international tourists and over 145 million overnight stays.
- Domestic travel added another 15 million overnight stays, showing strong local demand.
Tourism in Austria is on a record-breaking path. With more than 64 million overnight stays between November 2024 and March 2025, this winter season is only about 0.9% below the previous record from 2018/19. Particularly noteworthy are the increases in December and January, both from domestic and international guests—which demonstrates increasingly evenly distributed tourism throughout the year.
How Many Tourists Visit Austria Each Day?
With 46.71 million guests arriving in 2024, Austria hosted an average of ~128,000 visitors per day.
In peak winter and summer months, daily arrivals in ski resorts and cultural hubs like Vienna surged even higher, making tourism a year-round powerhouse.
How Much Do Visitors Spend in Austria?
- In 2024, total tourism expenditure reached €38.8 billion, reflecting a 5.6% increase over 2023.
- This generated €30.3 billion in direct and indirect value added, and tourism contributed 6.3% to Austria’s GDP.
- In 2023, tourism consumption alone was €36.78 billion, with tourism accounting for 4.2% of Austria’s economic output.
Which Countries Visit Austria the Most?
Austria’s top source market by overnight stays remains Germany, followed by the Netherlands, Switzerland/Liechtenstein, and the USA, which reached a record 2.38 million overnight stays in 2024.
| Country | Share of Visitors |
|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 37% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 9% |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 7% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 6% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 6% |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 5% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 4% |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 4% |
| 🇨🇳 China | 3% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 2% |
What Are Austria’s Most Visited Attractions?
Austria’s attractions are a mix of cultural landmarks and natural wonders.
| Attraction | Annual Visitors |
|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna) | ~3.2M |
| Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) | ~2.0M |
| Hofburg Palace (Vienna) | ~800K |
| Belvedere Museum (Vienna) | ~1.2M |
| Salzburg Old Town (UNESCO) | ~1.5M |
| Hallstatt (Salzkammergut) | ~1.0M |
| Grossglockner Alpine Road | ~900K |
| St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna) | ~3.0M |
| Vienna State Opera | ~600K |
| Innsbruck & Nordkette Cable Cars | ~700K |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Austria? (Seasonality)
Austria enjoys dual tourism peaks: winter for alpine sports and summer for lake and city tourism.
| Month | Visitors (Overnight Stays) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | ~14M | Peak ski season |
| February | ~15M | Ski & winter holidays |
| March | ~12M | End of ski season |
| April | ~9M | Shoulder season |
| May | ~10M | Start of city & hiking season |
| June | ~11M | Summer tourism build-up |
| July | ~13M | Peak summer |
| August | ~14M | Peak summer |
| September | ~11M | Wine & hiking season |
| October | ~10M | Autumn breaks |
| November | ~8M | Lower season |
| December | ~14M | Christmas markets + ski season |
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Austria?
Austria is a hub for cultural, musical, and sporting events.
| Event | Annual Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna New Year’s Concert (Wiener Philharmoniker) | ~50K visitors + global TV | January 1 |
| Salzburg Festival | ~250K | Classical music & opera, July–August |
| Vienna Ball Season | ~500K | January–February, includes the Opera Ball |
| Vienna City Marathon | ~40K runners + 200K spectators | April |
| Christmas Markets (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck) | ~5M | November–December |
| Ski World Cup Races (Kitzbühel, Schladming) | ~150K | Winter |
| Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival, Vienna) | ~3M | June – world’s biggest free open-air music festival |
| Vienna Pride & Rainbow Parade | ~250K | June |
| Hallstatt Summer Festival | ~100K | August |
| Innsbruck Bergsilvester (New Year’s Eve in the Alps) | ~150K | December 31 |
Tourism is not only a central locational factor, but also a significant lever for economic growth—especially in a deeply interconnected world. With the Austrian Tourism Day, we are consciously focusing on internationalization to open up new markets and harness global guest potential. In doing so, we sustainably secure the competitiveness and attractiveness of Austria as a tourism destination.
Tourism isn’t just very close to the hearts of many regions—it’s also an economic engine for our entire country. That’s why the new federal government is implementing targeted measures to make Austria even more visible, competitive, and future-proof as a tourism destination—from better frameworks for businesses to promoting internationalization and locational attractiveness.
How Does Tourism Impact Austria’s Economy?
- Tourism supports ~282,000 full-time equivalent jobs (6.9% of workforce) in 2024.
- It remains a leading sector in sustainable tourism, especially in mountain regions.
- Tourism accounts for 7.5% of Austria’s GDP.
- Around 300,000 jobs depend directly on the tourism industry.
- Austria is a leader in sustainable tourism initiatives, promoting eco-friendly ski resorts, public transport passes, and regional culinary traditions.
FAQ – Austria Tourism Insights
How many tourists visit Austria each year?
About 46.7 million international arrivals in 2024, plus millions of domestic tourists.
Why is Austria so popular with tourists?
Austria offers a rare mix of world-class ski resorts, imperial culture in Vienna, musical heritage (Mozart, Strauss), and stunning Alpine scenery.
Which country visits Austria the most?
Germany dominates, accounting for around 37% of arrivals.
What is the most visited attraction in Austria?
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, with over 3 million annual visitors.
When is the best time to visit Austria?
Both winter (December–March) for skiing and summer (June–August) for cultural tourism and lakes.
Is Austria expensive for tourists?
Austria is mid-to-high priced compared to Europe: Vienna and ski resorts are pricey, while rural areas and smaller towns are more affordable.
Is Austria English-friendly?
Yes, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, ski resorts, and major cities.
Sources
- Statistics Austria — New tourism record: 154 million overnight stays in 2024
- Europe-Data.com — Tourism in Austria hit an all-time high in 2024
- WIFO / Statistics Austria TSA — Tourism satellite account Austria 2024 (expenditures & GDP impact)
- Statistik Austria TSA 2023 — Tourism value-added increased in 2023
- RoadGenius.com — Austria tourism overview 2024 arrivals & spending
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