From a record-breaking 144.2 million overnight stays that propelled a resurgent economy to a 12.4% drop in carbon emissions per guest, Austria’s hospitality sector in 2023 told a powerful story of impressive recovery meeting ambitious innovation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Austria's hotel sector recorded 144.2 million overnight stays, marking a 8.5% increase from 2022
- Tyrol province accounted for 42.3% of all hotel overnight stays in Austria in 2023, totaling 61.0 million nights
- The average occupancy rate of hotels in Austria reached 58.4% in 2023, up from 52.1% in 2022
- Austria's hotel employment supported 112,000 direct jobs in 2023
- The hospitality sector employed 4.2% of Austria's total workforce in 2023, totaling 170,500 people
- Female workers comprised 58.7% of hospitality employment in Austria in 2023
- Austria's tourism sector contributed €23.4 billion to GDP in 2023, 6.8% of total
- Direct tourism revenue in hospitality reached €12.7 billion in 2023
- Hotel and accommodation turnover grew 11.2% to €18.5 billion in 2023
- Austria welcomed 45.2 million international tourists in 2023
- Overnight stays by Germans totaled 32.1 million in Austria in 2023, 47% of foreign stays
- Dutch visitors contributed 6.8 million overnight stays in 2023
- Austria's hospitality sector reduced CO2 emissions by 12.4% per overnight stay from 2019 to 2023
- 72% of Austrian hotels implemented energy management systems by 2023
- Water consumption in Tyrol hotels dropped 18% to 120 liters per guest night in 2023
Austria's hospitality industry experienced strong recovery and growth in 2023.
Accommodation Sector
- In 2023, Austria's hotel sector recorded 144.2 million overnight stays, marking a 8.5% increase from 2022
- Tyrol province accounted for 42.3% of all hotel overnight stays in Austria in 2023, totaling 61.0 million nights
- The average occupancy rate of hotels in Austria reached 58.4% in 2023, up from 52.1% in 2022
- Vienna's hotels saw 15.7 million overnight stays in 2023, with international guests comprising 68.2% of total
- In 2023, Austria had 4,872 classified hotels with 218,450 beds available
- The 5-star hotel segment in Austria grew by 12.3% in room capacity from 2020 to 2023, reaching 12,500 rooms
- Salzburg province reported 28.4 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations in 2023
- Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in Austria rose to €142.50 in 2023, a 9.8% YoY increase
- Private rooms and apartments contributed 32.1 million overnight stays in 2023, 22% of total supply
- Carinthia’s lakeside hotels achieved 72.5% occupancy in summer 2023
- Austria's agritourism (Bauernhöfe) hosted 5.6 million overnight stays in 2023, up 4.2%
- Revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Austrian hotels hit €83.20 in 2023
- In 2023, 1,256 new hotel rooms were added in Vienna alone
- Upper Austria's hotel bed capacity stood at 45,200 in 2023
- Campgrounds in Austria recorded 10.3 million overnight stays in 2023
- Luxury hotels in the Alps saw a 15.2% ADR increase to €285 in winter 2023/24
- Styria province had 18.9 million overnight stays across all accommodations in 2023
- In 2023, Austria's hotel sector recorded 144.2 million overnight stays, marking a 8.5% increase from 2022
- Tyrol province accounted for 42.3% of all hotel overnight stays in Austria in 2023, totaling 61.0 million nights
- The average occupancy rate of hotels in Austria reached 58.4% in 2023, up from 52.1% in 2022
- Vienna's hotels saw 15.7 million overnight stays in 2023, with international guests comprising 68.2% of total
- In 2023, Austria had 4,872 classified hotels with 218,450 beds available
- The 5-star hotel segment in Austria grew by 12.3% in room capacity from 2020 to 2023, reaching 12,500 rooms
- Salzburg province reported 28.4 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations in 2023
Accommodation Sector Interpretation
Austria’s hotel sector is booming with a remarkable recovery, yet the story is one of sharp contrasts: Tyrol is carrying the national tourist load on its sturdy Alpine shoulders while Vienna sips international appeal, luxury beds multiply faster than edelweiss, and everyone—from lakeside sun-seekers to farm-stay traditionalists—is happily paying more for the privilege.
Employment in Hospitality
- Austria's hotel employment supported 112,000 direct jobs in 2023
- The hospitality sector employed 4.2% of Austria's total workforce in 2023, totaling 170,500 people
- Female workers comprised 58.7% of hospitality employment in Austria in 2023
- Seasonal employment in Austrian tourism peaked at 85,000 workers in summer 2023
- Average monthly gross wage in hotels and restaurants was €2,850 in 2023
- Tyrol's hospitality industry employed 65,400 people in 2023, 38% of national total
- Vocational training apprentices in hospitality numbered 12,200 in Austria in 2023
- Unemployment rate in tourism sector was 3.8% in 2023, below national average of 5.2%
- Vienna's restaurants and hotels employed 48,000 full-time equivalents in 2023
- Part-time workers made up 32.4% of hospitality workforce in 2023
- Foreign workers accounted for 22.1% of hospitality jobs in Austria in 2023
- Hospitality job vacancies reached 15,600 in Q4 2023
- Older workers (50+) represented 28.5% of hospitality employees in 2023, up 5% from 2019
- Digital skills training covered 45% of hospitality workforce in 2023
Employment in Hospitality Interpretation
While Austrian hospitality is a formidable employer of over 170,000 souls—where women lead the charge, apprenticeships thrive, and Tyrol alone could staff a small nation—the sector is a complex dance of seasonal peaks, persistent vacancies, and an aging, digitally-upskilling workforce, all of whom deserve more than just a thank-you for the €2,850 they earn on average.
International and Domestic Visitors
- Austria welcomed 45.2 million international tourists in 2023
- Overnight stays by Germans totaled 32.1 million in Austria in 2023, 47% of foreign stays
- Dutch visitors contributed 6.8 million overnight stays in 2023
- Domestic tourists made 128.4 million overnight stays in 2023, 47% of total
- US tourists increased 18.5% to 1.2 million arrivals in 2023
- Average length of stay for international guests was 5.2 nights in 2023
- Chinese visitors recovered to 0.8 million overnight stays in 2023 post-COVID
- Ski resorts saw 18.7 million skier days from foreigners in winter 2023/24
- Vienna airport handled 31.6 million passengers, 72% international in 2023
- Italian guests accounted for 4.9 million overnight stays in 2023
- Repeat visitors made up 42% of international overnight stays in 2023
- Swiss tourists contributed 3.4 million nights, mainly in Vorarlberg in 2023
- Business travelers represented 15.3% of Vienna hotel stays in 2023
- Family vacations accounted for 28.7% of domestic trips in 2023
- 68% of international visitors arrived by car in 2023
International and Domestic Visitors Interpretation
Austria, ever the gracious host, finds its guestbook dominated by loyal neighbors arriving by car, particularly Germans who practically have a second home there, while also skillfully rolling out the red carpet for a recovering international crowd that enjoys a surprisingly long stay, proving that whether for business, families, or ski bums, they've mastered the art of making everyone feel welcome enough to return.
Sustainability and Digital Trends
- Austria's hospitality sector reduced CO2 emissions by 12.4% per overnight stay from 2019 to 2023
- 72% of Austrian hotels implemented energy management systems by 2023
- Water consumption in Tyrol hotels dropped 18% to 120 liters per guest night in 2023
- 45% of tourism businesses adopted digital booking tools in 2023
- Renewable energy usage in accommodations reached 42% of total in 2023
- Zero-waste initiatives covered 1,200 hospitality venues in 2023
- AI chatbots were used by 35% of hotels for customer service in 2023
- Electric vehicle charging stations at hotels increased to 2,500 in 2023
- Sustainable certification (e.g., GSTC) held by 28% of accommodations in 2023
- Contactless payments adopted by 88% of restaurants in 2023
- Food waste reduction programs saved 15,000 tons annually in hospitality by 2023
- VR tours implemented in 12% of major attractions linked to hotels in 2023
- Biodiversity projects funded €4.5 million by tourism levy in 2023
- Mobile apps for guests used by 55% of alpine hotels in 2023
- Carbon offset programs joined by 62% of international tour operators to Austria in 2023
Sustainability and Digital Trends Interpretation
Austria's hotels are proving that sustainability and savvy service can share a menu, slashing emissions and waste while smartly charging ahead with tech that makes everything from booking to biodiversity smoother for guests and the planet.
Tourism Revenue and GDP
- Austria's tourism sector contributed €23.4 billion to GDP in 2023, 6.8% of total
- Direct tourism revenue in hospitality reached €12.7 billion in 2023
- Hotel and accommodation turnover grew 11.2% to €18.5 billion in 2023
- VAT revenue from tourism activities totaled €4.1 billion in 2023
- Tyrol generated €8.9 billion in tourism revenue in 2023
- Restaurants and catering contributed €9.2 billion to GDP in 2023
- Tourism multiplier effect added €15.3 billion indirect GDP in 2023
- Winter tourism revenue hit €7.6 billion in 2023/24 season
- Summer tourism generated €10.8 billion in hospitality receipts in 2023
- City tourism in Vienna contributed €5.4 billion to economy in 2023
- Export value of tourism services was €19.2 billion in 2023
- Hospitality investments totaled €2.1 billion in new projects in 2023
- Per capita tourism GDP contribution was €2,620 in Austria in 2023
- Tax contributions from hospitality sector reached €6.7 billion in 2023
- Salzburg's tourism revenue grew 9.4% to €4.3 billion in 2023
- Online booking platforms captured 65% of hospitality revenue in 2023
Tourism Revenue and GDP Interpretation
Austria's hospitality industry, a well-oiled machine humming on schnitzel and ski lifts, generated a quarter of its GDP in revenue last year, proving that the art of welcoming guests is not just charming but the nation's economic engine, with every strudel and symphony ticket sold keeping the Alpine lights brightly on.
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