Styria courts overnight visitors with its Advent markets

Styria is promoting its Advent markets to attract more day visitors and overnight stays, ORF reports. Steiermark Tourismus chief executive Michael Feiertag calls Advent the region’s fifth tourist season.

The region has places with 40 or more different Advent markets, Feiertag said, offering visitors reasons to stay longer than an afternoon. Well-known markets include those in Mariazell, Stainach-Pürgg and at Admont Abbey. Other events include the Pöllau Advent trail and a Christmas market on the Teichalm at an altitude of 1,200 metres.

Graz has held its Advent markets for 40 years. The state capital’s markets are among the most popular in Styria and draw millions of visitors each year. Last year, the markets and stallholders generated a combined turnover of 5 million euros, according to city councillor Rene Apfelknab of the FPÖ.

This year, Graz’s city centre will host 15 Advent markets. A total of 760,000 LED lights will illuminate more than 70 streets and squares. The city is also introducing quiet zones where visitors can take a break from noise, music, lights and crowds.