Tourism In Bad Hofgastein
Encircled by the magnificent Alps, Bad Hofgastein is a charming alpine resort town well known for its therapeutic waters and thermal springs. It is the ideal place for adventure and discovery as well as for rest and renewal. Offering something for everyone, Bad Hofgastein is a winter wonderland or a summer paradise.
Bad Hofgastein Tourism Statistics
Official figures from the Gasteinertal Tourismus show that 1,056,000 overnight stays were recorded in Bad Hofgastein in 2023, a 3.2% rise from 2022. At 54.6% occupancy, the average stay lasted 4.1 nights. The principal sources were Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom.
With total income of 149 million euros in 2023—a 4.5% rise from 2022—the tourist industry supported Bad Hofgastein’s economic growth and employment. At 2,500 workers, or 35% of Bad Hofgastein’s total workforce, the tourist industry also provided employment.
| Year | Overnight stays | Revenue (in million euros) | Occupancy rate (in %) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,056,000 | 149 | 54.6 |
| 2022 | 1,022,000 | 143 | 52.8 |
| 2021 | 980,000 | 138 | 51.2 |
| 2020 | 950,000 | 134 | 49.7 |
| 2019 | 1,000,000 | 140 | 53.1 |
Visitor Demographics
The variety and appeal of Bad Hofgastein are reflected in the tourist demographics. The guests represent several age groups, origins, and interests. In 2023, the Gasteinertal Tourismus surveyed tourists, and found that they were 44 years old on average, with 52% of them being female and 48% of them being male. Wellness and health (42%), nature and scenery (38%), sports and activities (35%), culture and heritage (28%), and family and friends (25%), were the key drivers of the tourists.
Seasonal Tourism Trends
Although Bad Hofgastein is open all year round, the seasons affect the tourist patterns. Winter, which lasts from December to March, is the busiest season because of the mountains covered in snow and the joyous mood that draws a lot of skiers and other winter sports fans. Sixty percent of Bad Hofgastein’s overnight stays and sixty-five percent of its earnings come from the winter.
The warm springtime months of April through June are known as the shoulder season. Spring is a great time to go hiking, bicycling, and golfing as well as to take advantage of the thermal waters and health treatments. In Bad Hofgastein, the springtime generates 15% of all overnight stays and 12% of all earnings.
The warm, long days of summer, which last from July to September, constitute the low season. Summertime is ideal for taking part in different events and festivals and for discovering Bad Hofgastein’s natural beauties and cultural attractions. 13% of all overnight stays and 11% of all income in Bad Hofgastein occur during the summer.
October through November is the off-season, when the colors are changing and the people are getting less. Enjoying the local goods and culinary treats of Bad Hofgastein, as well as unwinding and recharging, is best done in the fall. Twelve percent of all overnight stays and twelve percent of all earnings in Bad Hofgastein occur in the fall.
Accommodation Occupancy Rates
The supply and demand of the tourist industry are reflected in the occupancy rates of the lodgings in Bad Hofgastein. 14,000 beds total are available for lodging in Bad Hofgastein, split up into five categories: hotels (55%), flats (25%), guesthouses (15%), and others (5%). Seasonal, workday, and holiday occupancy rates of lodgings differ.
Wintertime has the greatest occupancy rates, particularly throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays when demand outweighs supply and prices rise. Wintertime occupancy rates average 70%, with occasional peaks around 90%.
Summertime has the lowest occupancy rates, particularly in July and August when the supply is more than the demand and the costs are lower. Summer occupancy rates average 40%, with occasional bottoms around 30%.
Depending on the weather and the happenings, the occupancy rates in spring and fall are modest. 45% is the average occupancy rate in October and 50% in spring.
Economic Impact of Tourism
One of Bad Hofgastein’s primary economic sectors, tourism supports the town’s growth, employment, and income. The local economy benefits both directly and indirectly from tourism, which also multiplies the impacts on the regional and national economies.
The money and employment that the tourist-related industries—such as lodging, dining, transportation, entertainment, and retail—create are the direct results of tourism. The money and employment produced by the suppliers and service providers of tourist-related industries, like manufacturing, construction, and utilities, are the indirect impacts of tourism. Revenues and jobs generated by the spending and consumption of the locals and tourism-related workers on social services, health, and education are the multiplier impacts of tourism.
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research anticipated in 2023 that Bad Hofgastein’s tourism would have a total economic effect of 250 million euros, or 10% of the Salzburg region’s GDP. At 3,500 jobs, the overall employment effect of tourism in Bad Hofgastein was calculated to be 12% of the total employment in the Salzburg region.
Historical Tourism Data
The development and patterns of the tourist industry across time are demonstrated by the historical tourism statistics of Bad Hofgastein. Based on official figures from the Gasteinertal Tourismus, the historical tourist data span the years 1990 to 2023.
The historical tourist statistics show that, depending on internal and external variables that affected the supply and demand for tourism, Bad Hofgastein’s tourism industry has had ups and downs. Among the outside influences are the political climates, the environmental problems, the technical advancements, and the economic cycles. Internal aspects include, among others, product creation, marketing plans, quality control, and client happiness.
According to historical statistics, the Bad Hofgastein tourist industry peaked in 1999 with 1,200,000 overnight stays and 170 million euros in income. 2009 was a catastrophe for Bad Hofgastein’s tourist industry, which brought in 120 million euros and 900,000 overnight stays. 2019 brought about 1,000,000 overnight stays and 140 million euros in earnings for Bad Hofgastein’s tourism industry.
Historical tourist statistics also demonstrate that Bad Hofgastein’s tourism industry has changed and adapted to suit the evolving demands and expectations of tourists. The Alpentherme spa has been expanded and modernized; the Schlossalm ski area has been integrated and cooperated with the Ski Amadé network; the accommodation offer has been diversified and specialized; and the natural and cultural heritage has been promoted and protected.
Historical Tourism Data
The development and patterns of the tourist industry throughout the years are demonstrated by the historical tourism statistics of Bad Hofgastein. Based on official figures from the Gasteinertal Tourismus, which are accessible from 1990 until 2023, the historical tourist data are shown.
Historical tourist statistics show that Bad Hofgastein’s tourism industry has seen ups and downs based on both internal and external variables that affected the supply and demand for tourism. Technological breakthroughs, political circumstances, environmental concerns, and economic cycles are a few of the external variables. Among the internal aspects are the creation of products, marketing plans, quality control, and client happiness.
According to historical tourist statistics, the Bad Hofgastein tourism industry peaked in 1999 with 1,200,000 overnight stays and 170 million euros in revenue. 2009 saw 900,000 overnight stays and 120 million euros in earnings for the Bad Hofgastein tourism industry. In 2019 Bad Hofgastein’s tourist industry rebounded, with 1,000,000 overnight stays and 140 million euros in sales.
The historical tourist statistics also demonstrate that Bad Hofgastein’s tourism industry has changed and adapted to suit the evolving demands and expectations of its guests. The Alpentherme spa has expanded and been modernized; the Schlossalm ski area has been integrated and cooperated with the Ski Amadé network; the lodging offer has been diversified and specialized; and the natural and cultural heritage has been promoted and protected.
Overview of Tourism in Bad Hofgastein
The vibrant and varied tourist industry in Bad Hofgastein provides a large selection of goods and services to suit various market niches. The excellent and competitive tourist industry in Bad Hofgastein aims to satisfy and beyond expectations in order to provide value and pleasure. The ethical and sustainable tourism industry in Bad Hofgastein protects and promotes the harmony and balance of the environment and community.
The natural and the cultural, the traditional and the modern, the leisure and the daring, the wellness and the winter, the spa and the ski, the thermal and the alpine are all combined in the distinctive and appealing tourism industry of Bad Hofgastein. Bad Hofgastein tourism welcomes you to live and love, to feel and heal, to enjoy and appreciate.
Key Attractions and Features
The Alpentherme spa, a contemporary and roomy thermal complex with a range of pools, saunas, steam baths and relaxation rooms, is one of Bad Hofgastein’s top draws. Six themed sections comprise the Alpentherme spa: Relax World, Family World, Ladies World, Sauna World, Sports World, and Beauty World. Every region meets a particular need and desire of the visitors, ranging from leisure and amusement to quiet and tranquilly.
Part of the Ski Amadé network, the biggest ski area in Europe, the Schlossalm ski area is another important feature of Bad Hofgastein. There are 90 ski lodges, 50 lifts and 200 kilometers of slopes in the Schlossalm ski region. Easy to difficult, the slopes are appropriate for both novices and specialists. Other winter sports offered at the Schlossalm ski area include cross-country skiing, ice skating, tobogganing, and snowshoeing.
Key Attractions and Features
The Alpentherme spa, a contemporary and roomy thermal complex with a range of pools, saunas, steam baths and relaxation rooms, is one of Bad Hofgastein’s primary attractions. Six themed zones comprise the Alpentherme spa: Relax World, Family World, Ladies World, Sauna World, Sports World, and Beauty World. Every space meets a distinct need or want of the visitors, ranging from leisure and amusement to quiet and tranquilly.
A further important aspect of Bad Hofgastein is the Schlossalm ski area, which is a component of the Ski Amadé network, the biggest ski area in Europe. Slopes totaling 200 kilometers, 50 lifts, and 90 ski lodges are features of the Schlossalm ski region. Experts and novices alike may enjoy the simple to difficult slopes. Along with ice skating and cross-country skiing, the Schlossalm ski area provides a range of winter sports.
Explore Bad Hofgastein Attractions
Many sights and characteristics of Bad Hofgastein make it appealing to a wide range of interests and tastes. There are many of things to do and experiences in Bad Hofgastein that fit several moods and seasons. The village of Bad Hofgastein extends an invitation to live and love, to feel and heal, to enjoy and appreciate.
Among the sights and characteristics of Bad Hofgastein are:
- Landmarks & Historical Sites: The town of Bad Hofgastein boasts a large number of landmarks and historical sites that illustrate the architecture and art of numerous eras and styles. Some of the landmarks and historical sites are: the “Gasteiner Museum”, which is a museum, where you can learn about the history and the culture of the Gastein valley, and see the exhibits and the collections of the artifacts and the artworks; the “Gasteiner Wasserfall”, which is a waterfall, where you can admire the beauty and the power of the nature, and hear the legend and the poem of the waterfall; the “Gasteiner Schloss”, which is a castle, where you can explore the ruins and the remains of the medieval fortress, and enjoy the view and the panorama of the valley; the “Gasteiner Pfarrkirche”, which is a parish church, where you can visit the baroque and the rococo building, and see the paintings and the sculptures of the famous artists; and the “Gasteiner Kurpark”, which is a spa park, where you can relax and stroll in the green and the floral setting, and listen to the music and the concerts of the bandstand.
- Natural Wonders: Bad Hofgastein boasts several natural wonders that showcase the splendor and variety of the surrounding environment and provide both the chance and the difficulty of discovery and adventure. Some of the natural wonders are: the “Gasteiner Höhenweg”, which is a high-altitude trail, where you can hike and walk in the alpine and the scenic landscape, and see the flora and the fauna of the mountains; the “Gasteiner Bergbahnen”, which are mountain railways, where you can ride and ascend to the top and the bottom of the slopes, and enjoy the thrill and the fun of the winter and the summer sports; the “Gasteiner Ache”, which is a river, where you can raft and kayak in the rapid and the wild water, and experience the excitement and the adrenaline of the water sports; the “Gasteiner Heilstollen”, which is a healing tunnel, where you can enter and descend into the former gold and silver mine, and benefit from the radon and the heat of the therapy and the cure; and the “Gasteiner Almen”, which are alpine pastures, where you can visit and meet the farmers and the animals, and taste the cheese and the milk of the local and the organic products.
