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Austria, nestled in the heart of Europe, renowned for its alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and imperial history, is not just a magnet for tourists but also a country that sees a significant outbound tourism trend among its citizens. As of July 2024, the 9 million holders of Austrian passports can now travel to 193 countries with a global ranking 11 without a visa – or by obtaining an e-Visa/visa on arrival.

Austrian outbound tourism reflects the adventurous spirit and cosmopolitan outlook of its people, contributing to global tourism dynamics and economies. This article delves into the factors driving Austria’s outbound tourism, its impacts, and emerging trends.

Drivers of Austrian Outbound Tourism

Several factors influence Austrian outbound tourism. Firstly, the country’s high standard of living enables its citizens to afford international travel. Austrians value travel as a means to broaden their horizons, experience diverse cultures, and relax in different environments beyond their homeland’s borders.

Secondly, Austria’s geographical location in Central Europe provides convenient access to various international destinations. With well-connected airports and a robust transportation infrastructure, Austrians can easily explore nearby European countries and venture further abroad.

Moreover, the strong Austrian passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to numerous countries, facilitates seamless travel arrangements. This ease of travel encourages Austrians to explore new destinations without bureaucratic hassles, further boosting outbound tourism.

Austrian Outbound Travel Statistics for 2023

In 2023, travelers from Austria made a significant impact on international tourism, with 16.1 million outbound visits. These trips resulted in a total international tourism expenditure of US$15.0 billion, indicating a robust participation in global travel activities.

Austrian Tourism Impact in the UK

The United Kingdom specifically saw a substantial contribution from Austrian tourists, welcoming 337,000 visits. The total expenditure from these visitors reached £243.7 million, with an average spending of £723 per person. This highlights the economic influence Austrian travelers have in regions they frequently visit.

Travel Preferences of Austrian Tourists

The pattern of outbound travel from Austria is characterized by a strong preference for intraregional trips within Europe. Remarkably, the top ten destinations visited by Austrians are all located within Europe, underscoring a trend towards visiting neighboring and culturally familiar countries.

Impacts of Outbound Tourism on Austria

While inbound tourism contributes significantly to Austria’s economy, outbound tourism also plays a crucial role. It stimulates various sectors, including transportation, hospitality, and retail, by generating demand for travel-related services and products. Austrian travel agencies and tour operators benefit from organizing outbound tours, catering to diverse interests ranging from cultural sightseeing to adventure tourism.

In 2023, the largest age groups of Austrian travelers to the U.S. were 25–34-year-olds, followed by 45–54-year-olds, spending between 4 and 21 nights in at least one U.S. state. Between January and August 2023, around 94,000 Austrians traveled to the U.S. on visitor’s visas.

Popular Destinations and Activities for Austrian Travelers

This year, New York, Newark, and Los Angeles have emerged as primary entry points for Austrian travelers visiting the United States. Popular destinations include New York, Florida, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and various national parks. Leisure travelers often visit theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World, and engage in city sightseeing, cultural exploration, and outdoor activities like water sports and golf.

Emerging Trends in Austrian Outbound Tourism

There is an increasing interest among Austrian travelers in adventure destinations such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Repeat travelers are drawn to regions like New England, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, the Great Lakes, and Hawaii, reflecting a diversification in travel preferences and a broad spectrum of experiences available across the United States.

Global Trends Influencing Austrian Tourism Preferences

Recent trends show a shift among Austrian travelers towards long-haul destinations like Asia, Latin America, and Africa, seeking unique experiences and cultural immersion. There is also a growing interest in experiential tourism, with activities such as culinary tours, eco-tourism, and volunteer travel gaining popularity, highlighting a preference for authentic and immersive experiences.

Technological Impact and Cultural Exchange

Technological advancements, including the widespread use of smartphones and travel apps, facilitate seamless trip planning and enhance the travel experience by enabling real-time communication and navigation. Social media plays a crucial role in sharing travel experiences and influencing travel decisions, fostering a sense of community among travelers.

Sustainability and Challenges in Outbound Tourism

As outbound tourism continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable travel practices to minimize environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions from air travel. Sustainable travel initiatives are becoming increasingly important as Austrians seek to reduce their ecological footprint while exploring the world. Additionally, outbound tourism fosters cultural exchange and understanding, enhancing Austria’s global connectivity and international cooperation.

Countries where Austrian’s can visit visa free:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Jordan
• Angola
• Chile
• St. Helena
• Singapore
• Marshall Islands
• New Zealand
• Moldova
• Djibouti
• Brunei
• Guatemala
• Poland
• Suriname
• Lebanon
• Kenya
• St. Maarten
• Vatican City
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Panama
• Greenland
• Niue
• Türkiye
• Bangladesh
• Liechtenstein
• Malaysia
• Sri Lanka
• Armenia
• Falkland Islands
• Kyrgyzstan
• Uzbekistan
• Palestinian Territory
• Lithuania
• Palau Islands
• Pakistan
• Timor-Leste
• Qatar
• Hong Kong (SAR China)
• Lesotho
• South Africa
• Oman
• Bahrain
• Kazakhstan
• Estonia
• Iran
• Australia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Iceland
• Mongolia
• Burundi
• Georgia
• United States
• Nicaragua
• Namibia
• Honduras
• North Macedonia
• Barbados
• Egypt
• Romania
• Kiribati
• Grenada
• American Samoa
• Curacao
• Cape Verde Islands
• Cyprus
• Senegal
• Mexico
• Maldives
• Israel
• Bermuda
• Eswatini
• Belarus
• Montserrat
• Togo
• Czechia
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Netherlands
• Fiji
• Guyana
• Iraq
• Greece
• Mauritania
• Kosovo
• Ethiopia
• Cambodia
• Germany
• Laos
• Vanuatu
• Puerto Rico
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Ireland
• Andorra
• Tanzania
• Monaco
• Colombia
• French Guiana
• Saudi Arabia
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Norway
• Tonga
• Luxembourg
• Indonesia
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• New Caledonia
• Cayman Islands
• Canada
• Denmark
• Slovakia
• Venezuela
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• Cook Islands
• Kuwait
• Reunion
• France
• Spain
• Croatia
• El Salvador
• Slovenia
• Morocco
• Bolivia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ecuador
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• Argentina
• Anguilla
• Belize
• Mozambique
• Dominica
• Gabon
• Belgium
• Haiti
• Micronesia
• Paraguay
• Malawi
• Bulgaria
• Albania
• Thailand
• Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
• Uruguay
• South Korea
• Gibraltar
• Sweden
• Zambia
• Guam
• Italy
• Botswana
• China
• Nepal
• Comoro Islands
• Latvia
• French West Indies
• Hungary
• The Gambia
• St. Lucia
• Zimbabwe
• Myanmar
• Portugal
• Seychelles
• Dominican Republic
• Aruba
• Burkina Faso
• French Polynesia
• Peru
• Mayotte
• Serbia
• Japan
• Switzerland
• Tajikistan
• Malta
• Jamaica
• Samoa
• Tunisia
• Mauritius
• Bhutan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• United Kingdom
• Somalia
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• San Marino
• US Virgin Islands
• Bahamas
• Tuvalu
• United Arab Emirates
• Costa Rica
• British Virgin Islands
• Brazil
• Ukraine
• Macao (SAR China)

Top airports in Austria

1. Vienna International Airport (VIE) – Located in Schwechat, just outside Vienna, it is the largest and busiest airport in Austria. It serves as a central hub for Austrian Airlines and offers numerous international connections across Europe, Asia, and North America.
2. Salzburg Airport (SZG) – Known as Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport, it is the second largest airport in Austria. It primarily handles tourist traffic, especially during the winter ski season, with flights from various European cities.
3. Innsbruck Airport (INN) – Also known as Kranebitten Airport, this is a vital airport for tourists heading to the Tyrolean Alps. It handles a mix of seasonal and charter flights that increase significantly during the winter months.
4. Graz Airport (GRZ) – Located near Graz, it serves as a regional hub for Styria and southeastern Austria. The airport offers connections to several major European cities.

These airports facilitate not only international and domestic travel but also greatly support Austria’s tourism by connecting major tourist destinations within the country to the rest of the world.

Top Airlines:

Ryanair – While not based in Austria, Ryanair has a significant presence in the country, especially following its acquisition of Laudamotion, an Austrian airline originally founded by former Formula One racing driver Niki Lauda. Ryanair has expanded its operations in Austria, providing low-cost flights to numerous European destinations.

Austrian Airlines – This is Austria’s largest carrier and the national airline. Based at Vienna International Airport, Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of the Star Alliance. It offers a wide network of flights across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on Eastern European routes. The airline is known for its high-quality service and efficient connections.

Eurowings Europe – A subsidiary of the German low-cost airline Eurowings (itself part of the Lufthansa Group), Eurowings Europe is based in Vienna and focuses on point-to-point flights across Europe. It aims to offer competitive fares on both leisure and business routes.