Record overnight stays but falling profits

Tourism boom in Austria

The year 2024 has reached new highs: With a total of 154 million overnight stays, not only was the 2019 record exceeded, but the 150 million mark was also exceeded once again. The increase in international guests was particularly strong, while domestic overnight stays remained stable. According to Statistics Austria, international visitors accounted for almost 74% of all overnight stays.

Tyrol and Salzburg remain the most popular destinations, which together recorded more than half of all overnight stays. Vienna in particular saw a strong comeback in urban tourism with growth of 9.3%. Vorarlberg and Burgenland also posted double-digit growth rates.

Decreasing operating results despite increased workload

Despite increasing overnight stays, recent industry reports show that the profits of many hotels are declining. According to the “Fitness Check 2024” by the Austrian Hotel and Tourism Bank (ÖHT) and other industry partners, operating results, measured in terms of gross operating profit (GOP), have fallen in most categories. Upscale hotels, whose margins are under considerable pressure due to rising personnel and energy costs, are particularly affected.

The report's data shows that annual personnel costs per full-time equivalent in 4-star establishments rose by 18.4%, while energy costs per room rose by up to 56%, depending on the category. Although the holiday hotel industry has continued to establish itself as a year-round destination, the additional costs could often not be fully passed on through higher prices. This shows that it is not only high workloads, but above all strategic financial planning that determines long-term success.

How Profitize supports hoteliers

In order to remain economically successful, hotels must flexibly adjust their cost structure, forecast revenues precisely and identify financial bottlenecks at an early stage. A well-founded database makes it possible to react quickly and efficiently to market developments. This is exactly where Profitize comes in: The platform offers real-time data analyses that give hoteliers an up-to-date overview of their financial situation, while AI-based forecasts provide precise estimates of future income and costs. In this way, strategies can be adjusted at an early stage and economic risks can be minimized.

Particularly in view of rising operating costs, it is crucial to keep an eye on financial processes. profitize enables hoteliers to analyse their costs precisely and identify potential savings. Through automated forecasts, investment decisions can be made more specifically so that companies remain economically stable in the long term.

Regardless of market fluctuations, it is essential to act quickly and based on data at all times. Hotels that rely on digital financial management have a decisive competitive advantage and can navigate their operations more stably through uncertain times.

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The 2024 season shows that Austrian tourism is stronger than ever. But long-term success depends not only on high overnight stays, but above all on a clever, flexible financial strategy. With the right tools, every season can be a success story.

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