Austria's Tourism Industry: Open Or Closed?

Austria has been a popular tourist destination for years, with its picturesque villages, stunning mountains, and ski resorts. However, the country has been facing a dilemma when it comes to managing the influx of visitors, especially in its small towns and villages. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted tourism in Austria, with the country imposing lockdowns and restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. So, is Austria closed for tourists? The answer is a bit complex and has evolved over time.

Austria's COVID-19 restrictions

Austria has implemented a series of COVID-19 restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Here are the details:

• Austria has experienced multiple lockdowns throughout the pandemic, including a third national lockdown that began in December 2020 and lasted until at least February 7th, 2021.
• During lockdowns, only essential shops are open, and people are required to stay at home except for essential reasons.
• Restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels have been closed during lockdowns, with only takeout and delivery services allowed for food establishments.
• Leisure and cultural facilities, such as gyms, pools, and amusement parks, have also been closed during lockdowns. However, cable cars and ski areas have been allowed to reopen at certain points.
• Austria imposed a curfew during the pandemic, requiring people to stay at home between 8 pm and 6 am, with exceptions for work and exercise.
• Social gatherings were restricted, with people from a maximum of two households allowed to meet.
• Quarantine requirements were put in place for entrants from other countries, including most European countries.
• Austria banned flights from countries where new coronavirus variants were detected, including the UK, South Africa, and Brazil.
• The government compensated affected businesses during lockdowns, covering 80% of their revenue from the previous year.
• Schools and kindergartens were aimed to stay open, while older high school students and universities were switched to distance learning.
• Austria has also faced opposition to restrictions, with thousands, including neo-Nazis, protesting against the curfew and lockdown in Vienna in 2021.

Austrian ski resorts

Austria is known for its excellent ski resorts, which offer extensive ski areas with modern cable cars, perfectly groomed pistes, and breathtaking mountain views. The country's largest ski resorts offer varied slopes and fun parks, ensuring unforgettable ski days and sporty challenges.

Lech

Lech is part of the Arlberg, the biggest ski area in Austria, with 305km of pistes and 125 miles of off-piste ski routes. The resort is famous for its exclusive atmosphere, charming village centre, and excellent skiing conditions. It is also known for its gourmet eateries and bars, as well as its scenic riverside setting.

St. Anton

St. Anton is one of the world's most high-profile ski resorts, renowned for its infamous après-ski scene and incredible advanced ski terrain. It is part of the Arlberg ski area and offers 305km of fantastically maintained pistes and some of the best off-piste routes in the world.

SkiWelt

The second-biggest ski resort in Austria, SkiWelt is located in the Tyrol region and connects picturesque ski resorts such as Ellmau, Söll, and Westendorf. It offers 284km of pistes, including dedicated areas for beginners and children, as well as snow parks for freestylers. SkiWelt is a great choice for families and intermediates, with a variety of wide, gentle pistes and lively après-ski offerings.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

With 270km of pistes, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is one of the largest ski resorts in Austria, offering a diverse range of blues and reds for intermediates and challenging terrain for advanced skiers. The SkiCircus challenge takes skiers on a 72km circuit linking the five villages of the ski area. The resort also has some quirky bars, such as Zum Turm, a former medieval jail.

Ischgl

Ischgl is one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in Austria, known for its long ski season and high-altitude slopes reaching up to 2,900m. The resort offers a variety of blues, reds, and blacks, making it a good choice for mixed groups. Ischgl also has a lively atmosphere with a vibrant après-ski scene, including the Schatzi Ice Bar and Pacha nightclub.

Kitzbühel

Scenic Kitzbühel is widely known for the notorious Hahnenkamm Downhill course and offers 179km of groomed pistes. The resort has invested in a high-speed, modern lift system, and its medieval town has been voted the most beautiful ski town in Europe.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl is a long-standing favourite for families, offering peaceful, wide-open pistes and a quaint town with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. It is located just 90 minutes from Innsbruck airport, making it an ideal destination for easy, snow-sure skiing.

Sölden

Sölden lives up to its reputation as one of the best places to ski in Austria, with access to two glaciers, three mountains, and an extensive network of slopes stretching over 144km. Adventurous skiers can enjoy the long run from the top of the glaciers, reaching 15km down into the valley.

These are just a few examples of the many fantastic ski resorts that Austria has to offer. Each resort has its unique charm and attractions, ensuring an unforgettable ski holiday experience.

Austria's lockdown rules

Austria has been under a series of national lockdowns since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Here is a breakdown of the rules during these lockdowns, specifically regarding tourism.

Third National Lockdown (December 2020 - February 2021)

During this lockdown, only essential shops were open, and people were required to stay at home, leaving only for essential reasons. Hotels and restaurants were closed, along with a number of other leisure facilities. Cable cars and ski areas were allowed to reopen, but only for domestic visitors. Foreigners caught breaking these rules faced mandatory quarantine and fines of up to €2,180.

Second Lockdown (October - November 2020)

This lockdown was more lenient than the first, with non-essential shops and hairdressers remaining open. Restaurants and bars were closed except for deliveries and takeaways, and hotels were closed to tourists. A curfew was in place from 8 pm to 6 am, with people allowed to leave their homes for work and exercise. Schools and kindergartens were kept open, but older high school students and universities were switched to distance learning.

First Lockdown (March - April 2020)

Austria acted early in the pandemic to shut restaurants, bars, non-essential shops, museums, and other gathering places. This helped flatten the curve of infections, and so the government began a step-by-step loosening of the lockdown. Restaurants, cafes, and bars were allowed to reopen in May, followed by hotels at the end of the month. However, the borders remained closed, heavily impacting the tourism industry.

Hallstatt's tourist influx

Hallstatt Tourist Influx

The picturesque town of Hallstatt in Austria has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, with its stunning natural scenery, idyllic lake views, and historic architecture. However, the influx of tourists has led to concerns and protests from residents, who are grappling with the challenges of overcrowding and congestion.

Hallstatt, nestled in the Austrian Alps, has a small population of around 700 to 800 residents. In contrast, the town attracts a significant number of visitors, with up to 10,000 tourists flocking to the area daily during peak season. This massive influx has caused tension among locals, who are concerned about the impact on their quality of life.

The surge in tourism can be partly attributed to Hallstatt's exposure in popular media. In 2006, the town featured prominently in a South Korean drama series, "Spring Waltz," which led to a significant increase in visitors, particularly from Asia. The town's resemblance to the fictional kingdom of Arendelle in the animated film "Frozen II" further fuelled its popularity. As a result, Hallstatt has become a sought-after destination for tourists seeking the perfect selfie or Instagram photo.

The impact of mass tourism on Hallstatt has been significant. Locals have expressed frustration over the congestion and disruption caused by the influx of visitors. In May, residents erected wooden walls at popular selfie spots to manage the crowds, but these were later removed due to backlash. Tourists frequently outnumber residents, and the single road leading to the town can become congested during peak season.

To address these concerns, the local government and residents have taken several measures. In 2020, Hallstatt imposed a limit on the number of tourist coaches, and tour operators are now required to book dedicated slots before arriving with buses. Additionally, activists are calling for limitations on the daily number of tourists, with a proposed maximum of 5,000 visitors per day. The introduction of a ticket system has been suggested, similar to the one implemented in Machu Picchu. However, the complexity of including or excluding neighbouring villages in such a system is a challenge that needs to be addressed.

The protests and efforts to limit tourism in Hallstatt reflect a broader issue faced by many picturesque towns and cities across Europe. As tourism continues to grow, finding a balance between economic benefits and preserving the quality of life for residents becomes increasingly crucial. While tourism provides a boost to the local economy, the residents of Hallstatt are sending a clear message that the current levels of tourism are unsustainable and detrimental to their community.

Austria's border closures

Austria has had some of the strictest border controls in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the country was one of the first to shut restaurants, bars, non-essential shops, museums, and other gathering places to curb the spread of the virus. The government also imposed a curfew, asking Austrians to stay home between 8 pm and 6 am.

In 2021, Austria continued to enforce strict measures, with a third national lockdown coming into effect in December. All non-essential shops were closed, and people were required to stay at home except for essential reasons. Hotels and restaurants were closed, and leisure facilities, including gyms, pools, and amusement parks, were shut down. Cable cars and ski areas were, however, allowed to remain open, but only for locals. Foreigners were banned from staying overnight at ski resorts, and those who broke the rules were put in mandatory quarantine and faced hefty fines.

Austria's heavy reliance on tourism meant that these measures had a significant impact on the industry. The picturesque village of Hallstatt, for example, which usually attracts a million day-trip visitors a year, was left with empty lanes. The village, with a population of under 800, is heavily dependent on foreign tourists, and the border closures made it very difficult for businesses to stay afloat.

While Austria has since loosened its restrictions, with restaurants, cafes, and bars reopening, the country remains cautious, and the border situation is still subject to change depending on infection rates.

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