Tourism acted as an economic brake in 2024 – Diepresse.com

Local tourism increased in 2024, but had a custody of the economic output. According to a current tourism analysis by the Economic Research Institute (WIFO), the number of overnight stays increased by 2.1 percent in the calendar year 2024, the number of arrivals by 3.3 percent. However, the real gross value added in accommodation and gastronomy fell by 3.9 percent, while the overall economy shrank only by 1.4 percent.

In terms of quantity, the level of 2019 was exceeded for the first time in the previous year, but the industry developed below average. As a result, tourism did not act as an economic engine in the previous year, but increased the economic downturn, according to the analysis of the WIFO economists. Without the negative contribution of this sector, the real GDP would have decreased by 0.1 percentage points less.

2025 stable development expected for overnight stays

For 2025, the WIFO expects a stable overall overall development. With an estimated 154.6 million, the number of overnight stays should be slightly above the level of 2024 (+0.2 percent). According to the institute, the desire to travel is still high, but given the economic uncertainties – especially in Germany as the most important market of origin – with reserved expenses of the guests. This also makes the economic situation of many companies more difficult, especially since higher prices for food, energy and increased wage costs also make them.

Winter season 2024/25 ambivalent

According to the WIFO, the winter season 2024/25 has so far been an ambivalent: Although the number of guest arrivals in the period in November to March, 0.8 percent rose to a new maximum value of 17.8 million, but at the same time the number of overnight stays decreased by 0.6 percent to 64.1 million. However, the decline is strongly distorted by calendar effects – for example the shift day in February 2024 and the location of the Easter holidays. According to WIFO, adjusted to these factors, there would have been a 5.7 percent overnight increase.

Binnentourism once again proved to be a stable pillar of the winter season: the overnight stays of domestic guests increased by 0.6 percent, while those from abroad decreased by 1.0 percent. Especially the inflation in gastronomy (+6.0 percent) and accommodation (+5.5 percent) has had a dampening impact on real income.

For the total winter season 2024/25, the WIFO expects a slight increase in overnight stays to around 72 million (+1.3 percent). Compared to the pre -crisis season 2018/19, the volume remains slightly. (APA)