Upper Austria records Austria’s biggest rise in camping stays

Camping stays in Upper Austria rose by 11.2 per cent year on year, the largest increase among Austria’s federal states, ORF reported. From June to September, the state recorded 461,862 overnight stays at campsites and motorhome pitches.

Across Austria, camping grounds recorded about 7.1 million overnight stays during the four summer months, up 3.6 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Carinthia had the most, with about 2.29 million, followed by Tyrol with nearly 1.88 million. Upper Austria ranked sixth. Salzburg also recorded a notable increase, with stays up 10 per cent.

August was the busiest camping month, with about 2.4 million overnight stays. July saw 2.3 million, a new monthly record. In September, the nationwide total exceeded one million for the first time.

The Austrian Camping Club said the figures show that camping is attracting visitors beyond the traditional peak travel season. More campers are travelling in autumn and winter, when prices are often lower and campsites less busy, it said.