Lexi Webster
Austria is a popular tourist destination, with 45.2 million visitors in 2023, including 30.9 million international tourists. The country offers diverse attractions, from its stunning natural landscapes to its cultural heritage. Vienna, the Austrian capital, is a major draw for tourists, famed for its architecture, music, art, and coffeehouse culture. Beyond Vienna, there are picturesque towns, impressive lakes, and mountains, as well as historic cities such as Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. With its array of attractions, it's no surprise that tourism is vital to the Austrian economy, contributing almost 9% of the country's gross domestic product and providing over 541,000 jobs.
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What You'll Learn
International tourism statistics
Austria is a popular tourist destination, ranking 12th worldwide for international tourist arrivals in 2019 and 5th within the European Union. In 2023, Austria welcomed 45.2 million visitors, with 30.9 million being international tourists and 14.3 million domestic travellers. This represented an 11% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
International tourism receipts in Austria also increased sharply in 2023, recovering from the impact of COVID-19. After falling to under 14 billion U.S. dollars at the onset of the pandemic, inbound tourism receipts peaked at 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. The average spending per capita was €163 per day. Germany was the top source of international visitors, accounting for 14.7 million visitors with a 33% market share. The Netherlands contributed about 5%, with 2.25 million tourists, followed by Switzerland and Liechtenstein with 2.9% and the Czech Republic and Italy with greater than 2%.
Tourism is an important contributor to Austria's economy, with tourists spending over €25.6 billion during trips to the country in 2023. In 2019, tourism contributed 7.6% to Austria's GDP, which declined to 4.1% in 2021 due to the pandemic. In 2022, 3.8% of the total GDP came from the tourism sector.
In terms of activities, the largest segment of visitors to Austria in 2020 were those visiting friends and relatives, accounting for 36% of the total. Activity holidays, including outdoor and adventure activities, constituted 24% of visits, while recreation holidays focused on relaxation and leisure made up 19%. Cultural visits and sightseeing accounted for 6% of visits, reflecting the popularity of Austria's rich cultural heritage and historic sites.
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Domestic tourism statistics
Austria's tourism sector is a vital part of the country's economy, contributing to nearly 16.1% of its GDP. In 2023, Austria welcomed 45.2 million visitors, with 30.9 million being international tourists and 14.3 million being domestic travellers. This represented an 11% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
During the pandemic, domestic tourism in Austria showed more resilience than international tourism, reflecting a reliance on local travel during global disruptions. In 2020, the largest segment of visitors to Austria came to visit friends and relatives, accounting for 36% of the total. Activity holidays, which include outdoor and adventure activities, constituted 24% of visits, while recreation holidays made up 19% of visits. Cultural visits and sightseeing accounted for 6% of the visits.
In 2021, spending by domestic travellers in Austria amounted to 16.7 billion euros, rising from 14.6 billion euros in 2020 and nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels. Domestic travel spending generated 52.7% of direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2016, compared with 47.3% for visitor exports. Domestic travel spending was expected to fall by 0.1% in 2017 to 21.3 billion euros and rise by 1.3% annually to 24.3 billion euros in 2027.
Germany is the top source of international visitors to Austria, accounting for 14.7 million visitors with a 33% market share in 2023. The Netherlands also contributed about 5%, with 2.25 million tourists, while Switzerland and Liechtenstein accounted for 1.3 million visitors with a 2.9% market share.
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Tourist activities and spending
Austria is a popular destination for tourists, with 45.2 million visitors in 2023, including 30.9 million international tourists and 14.3 million domestic travellers. This represented an 11% increase from pre-pandemic figures. Tourists spent a total of €25.62 billion in 2023, an increase of 11% from 2019. The average spending per capita was €163 per day.
There are many activities for tourists in Austria, with mountains covering three-quarters of the country, and the remaining areas filled with vineyards, hills, and river gorges. Austria is famous for its beautiful Alps, and most visitors come to see the mountains. The country is also a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering downhill skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. During the summer, hiking is at its best.
For those less interested in sports, there are many other outdoor activities, including scenic drives, biking, and walking trails, as well as water sports, boat rentals, and gondola cruises. There are also various indoor activities, such as museums, art galleries, and historical sites, including the Schönbrunn Palace and the Historic Centre of Vienna. Entry fees for museums and attractions typically range from €10 to €20, with discounts often available for students or on certain days. Organised tours can vary widely in price, from €30 for a day trip to over €100 for specialised experiences.
In terms of accommodation, budget-friendly options like hostels can cost as low as $29 (€26) per night for a dorm bed. Mid-range hotels typically cost around $126 (€115) per night, while luxury hotels can range from $162 (€147) to $302 (€275) per night. Food costs can also vary, with meals at inexpensive restaurants costing around $15-€20, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can cost about $65.
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Austria's population and demographics
Austria's population is around 8.93 million people, with a density of 111 people per square kilometre. The median age is 43.6 years, and the population is predominantly female. The number of senior citizens (65+) is increasing, while the potential workforce remains stable. In 2023, Austria's foreign population increased, with one in four people having a migration background. This is a 35% increase since 2015 and represents a constant rise since 1985. The number of people with foreign citizenship rose sharply in the early 1990s and again in recent years, with 1.53 million foreign citizens in early 2021, accounting for 17.1% of the population.
Austria's population growth is driven by net migration gains, with 97% of the total population growth between 2011 and 2021 attributed to migration. The country's efficient public transport system and strong social connections likely contribute to its appeal for migrants and international tourists. In 2023, Germany was the top source of international visitors, with 14.7 million visitors, followed by the Netherlands (5%) and Switzerland and Liechtenstein (2.9%).
Regarding language, according to the 2001 census, 88.6% of Austria's population are native German speakers, while 11.4% speak minority languages. The non-German speakers can be divided into traditional minorities with ties to the former Habsburg monarchy and new minorities from recent immigration. In 2023, 32% of newborns had mothers with foreign nationalities, and 34.7% had foreign-born mothers.
Austria does not collect data on ethnicity or race, but it does collect data on nationality. In 2010, there were about 1.27 million foreign-born residents, or 15.2% of the population. Of these, 9.1% were born outside the EU, and 6.1% in another EU state. The largest single ethnic minority is Turks, who number around 350,000 or 3% of the population. In Vienna, more than 30% of the population is foreign or of foreign origin.
Religiously, Austria is predominantly Christian, with 58.8% registered as Roman Catholic and 5% as Protestant as of 2016. However, church attendance is low, with only 7% attending Sunday services in 2015. The number of adherents to Christianity has been declining, while the number of people declaring no religion has grown from 12% in 2001 to 20% by 2015. There is also a significant Muslim population, which has doubled in 15 years to 700,000 in 2016, largely due to immigration from Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Additionally, around 680,000 people are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church, mostly Romanians and Serbs.
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Religion in Austria
Austria was historically a strongly Catholic country, having been the centre of the
Catholicism remains the most common religion in Austria, with 55.2% of the population identifying as Catholic in 2016 and 2022. However, this figure has declined from 87.4% in the 1971 census. Islam is the second-largest religion, with 8.3% of the population identifying as Muslim in 2016 and 2022. This is a significant increase from 0.2% in the 1971 census. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the third-largest religion, with 4.9% of the population identifying as Orthodox in 2021 and 2022. Protestantism, which spread in the 16th century, is now the fourth-largest religion, with 3.8% of the population identifying as Protestant in 2021 and 2022. Those who do not affiliate with any religion constitute 22.4% of the population as of 2021.
Antisemitism has been a significant issue in Austria, with the Jewish population being reduced from 200,000 in 1938 to around 4,500 during World War II due to the Holocaust and emigration. The large majority of the current Jewish population are post-war immigrants, and there are now around 8,100 Jews in Austria, with 15,000 adherents of Judaism. The Austrian government has implemented measures to combat antisemitism, including the establishment of an executive department in the Federal Chancellery on Austrian Jewish Cultural Heritage and the “Prevention of Antisemitism through Education” initiative.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria welcomed 45.2 million visitors in 2023, with 30.9 million international tourists and 14.3 million domestic travellers.
Tourists spent over €25.6 billion during trips to Austria in 2023, an increase of 11% compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Tourism is an important part of Austria's economy, contributing 3.8% of the total GDP in 2022. In previous years, the figure was higher, at 7.6% in 2019, 4.5% in 2020, and 4.1% in 2021.
Germany is the top source of international visitors to Austria, with 14.7 million visitors in 2023. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, and Italy also contribute significant numbers of tourists.
Vienna attracts a major part of tourists, with its cathedral, wine pubs, and romantic Waltz music events. Other popular destinations include Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz, and the Danube Valley. Skiing, hiking, and mountaineering resorts in the Alps are also of great touristic importance.
