Rebound in Tourism

Overnight stays by travellers from abroad were up 6½ percent year-on-year in the last winter season. The good result, exceeding markedly the long-term trend rate of growth, is due to poor snow conditions in a number of foreign skiing areas and to the positive demand effects of the general cyclical upswing. For the latter reason the tourism industry shows optimism also concerning the current summer season. Furthermore, the Alpine regions are likely to gain market shares because of their favourable environmental conditions. Thus, overnight stays should increase faster than last year.