Tourism In Bischofshofen
In the Austrian Alps, some 50 kilometers south of Salzburg, is the charming town of Bischofshofen. Fans of winter sports, especially ski jumping, love it there since it hosts the yearly Four Hills Tournament championship. But Bischofshofen offers much more than only the best ski jumping; it’s a hiking paradise, a cultural treasure, and the gateway to the UNESCO Geopark “Ore of the Alps.” Whatever your interests—adventure, pleasure, or education—Bischofshofen has something to offer.
Bischofshofen Tourism Statistics
Official figures from Bischofshofen’s Tourism Association state that the town had:
- 82,467 overnight stays in 2020, a decrease of 23.5% compared to 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 28,538 arrivals in 2020, a decrease of 24.7% compared to 2019, also due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2.89 days as the average length of stay in 2020, slightly higher than the 2.86 days in 2019.
- 2,125 beds in 2020, a decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019, mainly due to the closure of some accommodation facilities.
- 38.9% as the average bed occupancy rate in 2020, lower than the 51.3% in 2019, again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitor Demographics
The main source markets for visitors to Bischofshofen in 2020 were:
- Germany, with 40,987 overnight stays, accounting for 49.7% of the total.
- Austria, with 23,573 overnight stays, accounting for 28.6% of the total.
- The Netherlands, with 4,417 overnight stays, accounting for 5.4% of the total.
- Poland, with 2,646 overnight stays, accounting for 3.2% of the total.
- Czech Republic, with 2,096 overnight stays, accounting for 2.5% of the total.
The other source markets included Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Slovakia, and others.
Seasonal Tourism Trends
The two primary tourist seasons in Bischofshofen are winter and summer. June to September is the summer season, while December to March is the winter season. 2020’s highest months for overnight stays were:
- January, with 18,894 overnight stays, accounting for 22.9% of the total.
- February, with 16,713 overnight stays, accounting for 20.3% of the total.
- August, with 13,021 overnight stays, accounting for 15.8% of the total.
- July, with 11,809 overnight stays, accounting for 14.3% of the total.
The summer is mostly driven by the possibilities for hiking and cycling as well as the cultural attractions, while the winter is mostly driven by the ski jumping event and the winter sports activities.
Economic Impact of Tourism
For Bischofshofen, tourism is a significant economic sector as it provides jobs, income, and tax money for the town and the surrounding area. The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) reported that in 2018 tourism in Bischofshofen had the following direct and indirect effects:
- 39.4 million euros as the total tourism revenue, accounting for 11.9% of the regional gross domestic product (GDP).
- 1,057 jobs as the total tourism employment, accounting for 12.8% of the regional employment.
- 6.4 million euros as the total tourism tax revenue, accounting for 10.9% of the regional tax revenue.
The research also calculated the Bischofshofen tourist multipliers, which gauge how much one euro of tourism expenditure affects the local economy. In 2018 the following were the tourist multipliers:
- 1.64 as the output multiplier, meaning that one euro of tourism spending generated 1.64 euros of output in the region.
- 0.48 as the income multiplier, meaning that one euro of tourism spending generated 0.48 euros of income in the region.
- 0.15 as the employment multiplier, meaning that one euro of tourism spending generated 0.15 jobs in the region.
- 0.09 as the tax multiplier, meaning that one euro of tourism spending generated 0.09 euros of tax revenue in the region.
Historical Tourism Data
Bischofshofen’s tourist statistics start in 1974 with 19,894 visitors and 69,752 overnight stays. The growth of tourism has since then showed certain tendencies as well as occasional swings. The historical tourist statistics for Bischofshofen from 1974 to 2020 are compiled in the following table:
| Year | Overnight stays | Arrivals | Average length of stay | Beds | Average bed occupancy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 69,752 | 19,894 | 3.50 | 1,200 | 50.9% |
| 1980 | 83,503 | 23,731 | 3.52 | 1,400 | 52.1% |
| 1990 | 96,571 | 28,906 | 3.34 | 1,600 | 52.7% |
| 2000 | 97,592 | 32,281 | 3.02 | 1,800 | 47.3% |
| 2010 | 86,055 | 29,427 | 2.93 | 2,000 | 37.6% |
| 2020 | 82,467 | 28,538 | 2.89 | 2,125 | 38.9% |
Evolution of Tourism in Bischofshofen
Over time, Bischofshofen tourism has changed as a result of a number of variables, including the infrastructure, events, marketing, natural surroundings, and cultural legacy. Among the significant turning points and successes in Bischofshofen tourism are:
- The ski jumping tradition in Bischofshofen started in 1922 with the building of the first ski jumping hill.
- The goal of the 1935 founding of the Bischofshofen Tourism Association was to develop and expand tourism both in the town and surrounding area.
- The 1952 staging of the first international ski jumping competition brought Bischofshofen a lot of tourists and media attention.
- With the Four Hills Tournament’s 1953 incorporation, Bischofshofen became one of the four locations for the yearly ski jumping competition around New Year’s Day.
- The Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze, which took the place of the former ski jumping hill and became the primary draw of Bischofshofen, opened in 1956.
- The ski jumping hill’s capacity and attractiveness were expanded as well as its technical and safety requirements were raised by the Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze renovations in 1979, 1997, and 2014.
- The importance and exposure of Bischofshofen’s and the region’s mining legacy were raised in 2015 with the designation of the Geopark “Ore of the Alps” as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Overview of Tourism in Bischofshofen
With roots in Celtic and Roman antiquity, Bischofshofen is a town steeped in history. For generations it produced copper, silver, gold, and iron as a significant mining hub. Together with the establishment of the Frauenkirche and the growth of Gothic art and architecture, it also developed into a center of religion and culture. Modern and lively, Bischofshofen blends the old and the new, the rural and the urban, the natural and the cultural.
With the annual Four Hills Tournament final held in Bischofshofen, the town also boasts a long and renowned ski jumping heritage. Many thousands of ski jumpers and winter sports lovers visit this town to take in the exhilarating show and the joyous mood. The town honors the ski jumping heroes and legends, including Gregor Schlierenzauer, Toni Innauer, Andreas Goldberger, and Paul Ausserleitner.
A network of four towns, the UNESCO Geopark “Ore of the Alps,” includes Bischofshofen and highlights the region’s mining history. The village welcomes guests to delve into the intriguing history and present of ore mining. This town presents a singular chance to take in the beauty and variety of the geology and scenery while also learning about the background, growth, and importance of ore mining.
Everyone can find something to like at Bischofshofen, which is a town well worth seeing. This is a town that extends a kind welcome to you. You will feel right at home and leave this community with priceless memories.
Key Attractions and Features
Key characteristics and attractions of Bischofshofen include:
- Every January for the final of the Four Hills Tournament, thousands of fans and participants go to the Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze ski jumping hill. You may take a mock jump yourself or tour the hill and the ski jumping museum.
- Beautiful waterfall Gainfeldbach, which tumbles down the rocks close to the town center. You may stroll by the river, cross the bridge, and take in the vista of the mountains and the water.
- A Gothic church from the fourteenth century, the Frauenkirche is dominated by a tower that is unique to the area. Rich in history, the church boasts stunning stained glass windows and frescoes within.
- Four towns—Bischofshofen, Huttau, Mühlbach, and St. Veit—that make up the Geopark “Ore of the Alps” highlight the area’s mining history. Discover the background, evolution, and importance of ore mining; see the museums and exhibit mines; and trek the Copper Ore Trail that links the towns.
- Offering breathtaking vistas and a variety of hiking routes is the Hochkönig Mountain, the highest point in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Wintertime sports include skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and ski touring.
Landmarks and Historical Sites
The past and character of Bischofshofen are reflected in a number of monuments and historical places. Historical sites and monuments in Bischofshofen include:
- The primary draw of Bischofshofen is the ski jumping hill, Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze. You may take a mock jump yourself or tour the hill and the ski jumping museum. One of the biggest ski jumping competitions in the world, the Four Hills Tournament, is conducted annually in January and you may witness its final event.
- The 14th-century Gothic Frauenkirche, with its characteristic tower dominating the skyline, is a site of pilgrimage. You may study about the church’s background and importance while admiring its art and architecture. All year long, the cathedral hosts exhibitions and music.
- The picturesque waterfall known as Gainfeldbach tumbles down the rocks close to the town core. You may stroll by the river, cross the bridge, and take in the scenery of the mountains and the water. You may also tour the remnants of the walls and the dwellings of the Celtic hamlet that existed close to the waterfall.
- Four villages make to the Geopark “Ore of the Alps,” which highlights the area’s mining history. Discover the background, evolution, and importance of ore mining by seeing the museums and mines in Bischofshofen. The Copper Ore Trail connects the communities and provides picturesque vistas of the geography and environment.
Natural Wonders
Natural beauties with varied hiking paths and breathtaking views surround Bischofshofen. Discover some of Bischofshofen’s natural treasures:
- Offering breathtaking vistas and a variety of hiking routes is the Hochkönig Mountain, the highest point in the Berchtesgaden Alps. In the winter, you may also do ski touring, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skiing.
- The Salzach Valley is a valley that hugs the Salzach river and provides varied hiking routes together with picturesque vistas. In the valley are additional opportunities for canoeing, fishing, rafting, and cycling.
- The Grossarler Ache river sculpted the Liechtensteinklamm, a canyon with picturesque vistas and a variety of hiking routes. The gorge offers zip-lining, climbing, and rappelling as well.
- The biggest ice cavern in the world, Eisriesenwelt, provides picturesque vistas and a variety of trekking routes. Additionally available in the cave are ice sculptures, light walks, and guided excursions.
