Tourism In Finkenberg
Situated at the start of the Tuxertal valley, which is a part of the Zillertal Alps high mountain nature area, Finkenberg is 840 meters above sea level.About 1,500 people live in Finkenberg, which spans 66.3 km2. Renowned residents of Finkenberg include Olympic downhill champion Leonhard Stock, Mt. Everest conqueror Prof. Peter Habeler, and the band Schürzenjäger.
Both in the winter and the summer, Finkenberg has a range of tourist attractions and events.Being a part of the Ski and Glacier World Zillertal 3000, which provides a vast selection of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, Finkenberg is a winter sports enthusiast’s dream come true.With 59 lifts, the ski area spans 227 km of pistes and 800 hectares of ski terrain.Direct access to the ski area from the village center is offered by the Finkenberger Almbahnen cable car.
With so many well documented trails and paths winding through the breathtaking mountain scenery, Finkenberg is a great place to start walks and mountain bike trips in the summer.A particular highlight is the Penken peak trek, which offers an amazing sweeping perspective of the Zillertal valley.Tennis, paragliding, golf and swimming in the Finkenberg outdoor pool are some well-liked sports.
Finkenberg’s Tourism Landscape
Historical Evolution of Tourism in Finkenberg
Starting in the 19th century with the arrival of the first mountaineers and alpine explorers, Finkenberg has a long and rich history of tourism. Building of the Zillertal railway in 1902, which linked Finkenberg to the rest of Austria and Europe, greatly accelerated the growth of tourism. New winter sports opportunities were created in 1949 with the construction of the first ski lift and in 1965 with the first cable car. With new facilities, services, and events added over time, the tourism sector kept expanding and diversifying.
Significance of Tourism to Finkenberg’s Economy
For Finkenberg, tourism is the principal source of income and employment, accounting for almost 70% of the gross regional product and 80% of the employment. Other industries that gain from the need and consumption of tourists, such agriculture, trade, and crafts, are also encouraged to grow by tourism. Because it raises knowledge and appreciation among both tourists and residents, tourism also helps to preserve and promote the local environment, culture, and heritage.
Finkenberg’s Tourist Arrivals Over the Years
Historical Trends in Tourist Arrivals
The Tyrolean Tourism Board reports that Finkenberg welcomed 247,467 visitors in 2020, a 35.8% drop from 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Still, this was more than the 234,722 tourists annually average from the previous ten years. Finkenberg’s visitor count has been rising consistently since 2010, at a 2.3% yearly average.
Seasonal Fluctuations and Peak Tourist Months
With two peak seasons—winter and summer—Finkenberg has a clear seasonal pattern for visitor arrivals. About 60% of all visitor arrivals occur during the winter months of December through March, and roughly 35% occur during the summer months of June through September. The remaining 5% are spread over the so-called low seasons of spring and autumn. In most of the source markets, February and August are the busiest travel months since they fall around school holidays.
Demographic Analysis of Tourists in Finkenberg
Profiling the Typical Finkenberg Tourist
Based on the data from the Tyrolean Tourism Board, the typical Finkenberg tourist can be described as follows:
- Gender: 51% male, 49% female
- Age: 43 years on average, with the largest group being 35-44 years old (25%)
- Nationality: 75% from Germany, 10% from the Netherlands, 5% from Austria, 3% from the UK, 2% from Switzerland, and 5% from other countries
- Travel mode: 85% by car, 10% by plane, 3% by train, and 2% by bus
- Travel purpose: 95% for leisure, 3% for business, and 2% for other reasons
- Travel group: 65% with family, 20% with friends, 10% as couples, and 5% as solo travelers
- Travel duration: 6.5 days on average, with the longest stays in winter (7 days) and the shortest stays in summer (5.5 days)
- Travel expenditure: 120 euros per day on average, with the highest spending in winter (130 euros) and the lowest spending in summer (110 euros)
Nationality Distribution Among Tourists
The closeness, common cultural legacy, and economic linkages between the source markets are reflected in the nationalities of the tourists to Finkenberg. The bulk of tourists come from Germany, the biggest economy and neighbor on the continent. Situated close to Austria and having a comparable climate and culture, the Netherlands is the second-largest source market. The third-biggest source market is Austria, a home market that is very proud of its country. The UK is the fourth-biggest source market; it is a major and long-standing partner of Austria with a high demand for winter sports. Switzerland is the neighboring country with a similar language and way of life, and it is the fifth-largest source market. The other countries are those of Europe—France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic—that have differing degrees of interest in and relations to Austria.
