Tourism and social services face challenges in Austria

Tourism in the Austrian states of Styria and Carinthia is seeing a rise in overnight stays, though economic pressures persist. Styria recorded over 14 million overnight stays in 2025, while Carinthia reached just over 13 million. Despite these positive figures, hoteliers face a potential earnings crisis due to intense competition. The number of new accommodation business startups in Austria has risen significantly, from 235 in 2015 to 830 in 2025, increasing the pressure on profit margins.

In Klagenfurt, Carinthia, the Caritas emergency shelter is reporting a surge in demand. Between January and September, the facility recorded 4,627 overnight stays, an increase of nearly 12 percent compared to the previous year. Caritas Director Ernst Sandriesser attributed this rise to the lack of affordable housing. The organization is currently facing shortages in both bed availability and qualified staff to provide necessary social work and reintegration support, noting a need for approximately 200,000 euros in additional annual funding.