Business is good in the holiday regions, except for January, which was also very mixed to modest or even lower than last year. At Christmas and New Year everyone was very satisfied with the business. In general, the winter is going well.
“Bookings – also for February – are currently still moderate, especially in the cities.” The so-called January gap is back, says State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler.
Bookings in ski areas “also quite good”
“February will be a very good month at holiday destinations, because this year the carnival holidays in Germany and the Netherlands coincide with the semester holidays in Austria,” she explains. “That means there is a double booking demand in February.” Easter comes early this year and bookings in the ski areas are already quite good.
In the thermal baths, the holiday dates in the winter season this year are “very well booked throughout Austria” – but in January – on weekdays – they are still weak. The entrance ticket costs approximately 50 euros per person.
This corresponds to the price of a day ski pass in a cheaper ski area. However, in almost all ski areas this year the limit of 70 euros for a day lift ticket will be exceeded during the high season (see graph below).
Bookings in the cities in January and February are not reaching the same levels as a year ago at the same time.
Room rates are rising, occupancy is falling
In Vienna, the occupancy rate in four-star hotels at the beginning of the year in January and February was only 50 to 60 percent. Previously it was 70 to 80 percent. “The room rate will increase, but occupancy will decrease,” said the State Secretary. The conferences will start again in March, a glimmer of hope.
The Asian market is missing
“Russia, China, Israel are missing – the other Asian market is missing.” Last year (January to November 2023), Chinese guests in this country generated only 318,000 overnight bookings, compared to the same period in 2019, i.e. 1.4 million before the corona pandemic.
Flights expensive, yen devalued
The collapsed Asian market has been viewed very critically all year long. Flight capacities are low and ticket prices are very high. “Additionally, as far as Japan is concerned, the yen has been devalued and flights are longer and more expensive.”
Thanks to the good start, good demand around Christmas/New Year’s Eve and also for the semester break in February and Easter at the end of March, Kraus-Winkler is convinced that the 2023/24 winter season will be very good overall.
Source: Krone

I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.