Burgenland tourism holds steady despite record heat

Tourism in Burgenland remained on course in the first half of 2026, with overnight stays edging above the record set in 2025, according to ORF. The Neusiedler See experience region recorded a decline of just under 1 percent.

Full figures for July are not yet available, but Podersdorf in the Neusiedl am See district has reported a strong month. The Podobeach recorded 17 percent more admissions than in July last year, while overnight stays in the tourism municipality rose by 3 percent.

Rene Lentsch, managing director of Podersdorf Tourism, attributed the increase partly to expanded family offerings, including an adventure world and a motor skills park at the beach, as well as hand golf in the town.

The current heatwave has not affected bookings so far, Lentsch said, because visitors to Podersdorf often book well in advance. Guests are more likely to cancel because of rain than heat. In June, when short-term bookings are more common outside the school holiday period and the first heatwave reached Austria, Podersdorf recorded a decline of almost 10 percent.

The heat is affecting ferry services on Lake Neusiedl, particularly bicycle ferries. Stefan Gangl, head of the Gangl shipping company in Illmitz, said many visitors arrive for a ferry around 9 a.m. but skip the next service at 9.30 or 10 a.m. because of the high temperatures.

Water levels are not currently a problem, as they remain sufficiently above the historic low.