Canada Joins Germany, United States, Spain, Poland, China, South Korea, and Japan in Driving Austria Unprecedented Tourism Growth with Record-Breaking International Demand

In 2025, Canada, alongside Germany, the United States, Spain, Poland, China, South Korea, and Japan, played a pivotal role in driving Austria unparalleled tourism growth, marking a record-breaking year for the Austrian capital. The city’s accommodation sector saw over 20 million overnight stays, with international visitors accounting for 83% of the total, showcasing Vienna’s rising global appeal. Canada, in particular, contributed significantly to the city’s high-end tourism market, helping Vienna achieve its strongest performance yet. The surge in international demand from these key markets was fueled by Vienna’s strategic focus on luxury, sustainability, and major events, cementing its position as a leading destination for quality, high-value tourism.
Long-Haul Demand and Major Events Fuel Vienna’s Drive for Higher-Value, Sustainable Tourism
Vienna, the Austrian capital, has achieved an impressive milestone in 2025, with tourism numbers reaching new heights. The city recorded over 20 million overnight stays, marking a 6% increase over 2024, the previous peak year. This exceptional performance is a result of a combination of factors, including the rise in long-haul travel demand and the city’s strategy of positioning itself as a hub for high-value, sustainable tourism. As Vienna continues to expand its hotel sector and attract more international visitors, it sets its sights on maintaining this growth trajectory well into 2026.
Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers and Revenue
Vienna’s tourism sector has seen a record-breaking year in 2025, with the city on track to surpass its previous accommodation revenue highs. The January to November period alone generated €1.254 billion in accommodation revenue, reflecting a 4% increase from the same period in 2024. November alone was particularly strong, contributing €131 million, which marks a notable 10% year-on-year growth. If this trend continues, Vienna is set to break its 2024 record of €1.4 billion in accommodation revenue.
Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board, expressed his gratitude for the efforts of local entrepreneurs and their teams, acknowledging the challenges they overcame to achieve this success. Kettner stated, “My heartfelt thanks go to all of the entrepreneurs working in our visitor economy and their employees – they made this success possible despite a multitude of challenges.”
International Visitors Drive the Growth
A significant part of Vienna’s success is the strong international demand for the city as a travel destination. In 2025, international visitors accounted for 83% of overnight stays, a slight increase from 82% in 2024. This rise in international travel is reflective of Vienna’s growing reputation as a cultural and leisure destination, and its efforts to diversify the types of visitors it attracts.
Germany remained the top source market, with 3.54 million overnight stays, followed closely by Austria itself (3.38 million) and the United States (1.26 million). The US market has become particularly important, generating the highest revenues in the city’s five-star hotels. However, Vienna’s appeal is not confined to just these markets. The city has seen strong growth from countries such as Spain, Poland, Canada, China, South Korea, and Japan. While some Asian markets still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, the demand from these regions continues to climb.
Hotel Sector Expansion and Luxury Growth
Vienna’s hotel sector continues to grow, with 450 properties offering a total of around 84,600 beds. Of these, around 60% are classified as four- and five-star properties, aligning with the city’s focus on attracting high-end travelers. Luxury accommodations have become a significant component of Vienna’s tourism offerings, and the city now boasts 26 luxury hotels, including the newly opened Mandarin Oriental. This expansion highlights the city’s commitment to offering quality, high-value experiences that align with the growing demand for luxury travel.
A Future Driven by Major Events
The continued growth of Vienna’s tourism sector is supported by major events scheduled for the coming years. In 2026, Vienna will host the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the most prestigious music events in Europe. The city is also set to welcome nearly 50 large congresses and corporate meetings in the same year. These events will undoubtedly contribute to Vienna’s appeal as a destination for both leisure and business travelers, boosting overnight stays and accommodation revenue.
The Vienna Tourist Board’s ‘Optimum Tourism’ strategy emphasizes sustainable growth in the tourism sector, focusing on high-quality, responsible tourism practices. By attracting higher-value visitors and hosting major events, Vienna is setting the stage for continued success, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism within Europe and beyond.
Key Source Markets for Vienna’s Tourism Growth
Vienna’s tourism growth has been fueled by international visitors from a variety of countries. The following markets have played a significant role in the city’s strong performance:
- Germany: As the top source market, Germany continues to be the leading contributor to Vienna’s tourism success, with over 3.5 million overnight stays.
- Austria: As the host country, Austrian residents are a strong source of tourism, contributing 3.38 million nights.
- United States: The US has become a significant market, especially for five-star hotel accommodations, with 1.26 million overnight stays.
- Spain: Spain has shown substantial growth, further boosting Vienna’s appeal in Southern Europe.
- Poland: Poland’s increasing interest in Vienna is evident through strong growth in overnight stays from Polish visitors.
- Canada: The Canadian market is also showing positive growth, adding to the international appeal of the city.
- China: Although some Asian markets are still recovering from the pandemic, China continues to be an important market for Vienna.
- South Korea: South Korea is another Asian market that has shown growth, contributing to the rise in international visitors.
- Japan: Japanese visitors are returning to Vienna, helping to further diversify the city’s tourism base.
In 2025, Canada, along with Germany, the US, Spain, Poland, China, South Korea, and Japan, contributed significantly to Austria record-breaking tourism growth, driven by rising international demand. This surge was fueled by Vienna’s focus on luxury, sustainability, and major events.
Sustainable Tourism and Long-Term Growth
Vienna is not just focused on short-term success. The city’s long-term growth strategy revolves around sustainable tourism, ensuring that its success does not come at the expense of the environment or local communities. With the ‘Optimum Tourism’ strategy in place, the city is committed to maintaining a high standard of visitor experience while minimizing the environmental impact of tourism.
As Vienna prepares for even greater success in 2026, including the Eurovision Song Contest and a full calendar of major events, its tourism sector is poised to continue expanding. With a focus on long-haul demand, luxury accommodations, and a commitment to sustainability, the Austrian capital is well-positioned to remain a leading destination for high-value, responsible tourism.
In conclusion, Vienna’s tourism sector in 2025 represents a remarkable achievement in both growth and sustainability. By focusing on quality and high-value tourism, the city is setting a new benchmark for European capitals, ensuring that it remains a top destination for travelers worldwide.
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