Carinthia records strong summer growth as camping gains popularity

Carinthia recorded 2.6 million overnight stays in July 2026, a 4 percent increase from the same month last year, ORF reported. Tourism representatives said the first half of the summer season, from May through the end of July, had generally performed well, with camping becoming increasingly popular.

Carinthia recorded about 655,000 camping overnight stays in the first half of the year, placing it second among Austria’s provinces behind Tyrol. Wolfgang Kuster, managing director of the Turner See camping resort, said the figures showed positive development.

Kuster said Carinthia was Austria’s leading camping destination for summer tourism, but that Tyrol remained ahead because Carinthia had little year-round camping tourism. He said the favourable summer weather had benefited tourism, particularly campsites.

Many returning guests booked their next stay as they left. Kuster said the camping resort had experienced its strongest summer since opening, attributing the result to the weather. He said the resort had not seen such a summer in 30 years.

Camping sites in Carinthia are also attracting new groups of visitors. The Turner See resort draws guests from across Europe, including increasing numbers from Denmark, the Czech Republic and Poland. Kuster said many English and Irish visitors had also arrived during the late season, although the resort had not yet determined why.

From November, campers will be charged a local tax of four euros per person per night. Operators have expressed some concern, but the charge had not affected advance bookings for next year at the Turner See camping resort.