Austria sees 32 tourists for every local resident annually

Austria has been identified as the most overcrowded tourist destination globally, with a staggering ratio of 3.6 tourists for every resident. The country, home to approximately nine million people, welcomes around 32 million international visitors each year, predominantly in its capital, Vienna. The tourism sector in Vienna has rebounded significantly post-pandemic, with a reported 31% increase in overnight stays from 2022 to 2023, totaling 17.3 million. While Vienna is accustomed to high tourist volumes, smaller towns like Hallstatt are struggling to manage the influx. Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has become a hotspot for tourists, especially after being linked to Disney's Frozen. The town, with a population of about 800, has seen daily visitor numbers soar to around 10,000, prompting local authorities to impose restrictions on tour buses and cars. In response to the overwhelming tourist presence, Hallstatt's mayor, Alexander Scheutz, has expressed a desire to reduce tourist numbers by a third. The town's attempts to control tourism included erecting wooden fences to block popular photo spots, which were later removed due to public backlash. Protests have emerged, with locals advocating for limits on mass tourism to preserve their community and environment. Signs calling for 'radical limits for mass tourism' reflect the growing concern among residents about the sustainability of their town amidst the relentless tourist influx.