Three quarters of holidaymakers travel to Austria by car, placing pressure on the environment and infrastructure. There is a need for seamless, climate-friendly travel options to Austria and for sustainable local mobility services. Such measures enhance the appeal of destinations for visitors and strengthen the quality of life for local residents.

VCÖ-Factsheet "Sustainable mobility as a driver for tourism regions" PDF-Download

Austria is a popular tourist destination. Tourism is an important driver of the Austrian economy, accounting for six per cent of the gross domestic product.¹ In 2024, Austria recorded a new all-time high in overnight stays, with domestic travel by Austrians also reaching record levels.² Travel involves high levels of traffic, emissions and air pollution. Traffic jams, exhaust fumes and traffic noise not only impair the holiday experience but also cause stress for local residents. In 2023, three quarters of overnight guests arrived by car, while eleven per cent travelled by train and seven per cent by plane.³

High transport emissions in tourism

Tourism is responsible for around five per cent of Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions. In Austria, more than 90 per cent of tourism-related CO₂ emissions are caused by transport, with air travel as the main source followed by car traffic and its adverse effects in the regions.⁴ In 2024 alone, 572 traffic jams were recorded on busy summer weekends.⁵ To make a region attractive to both holidaymakers and local residents, there must be better services and stronger incentives for environmentally friendly and sustainable mobility.

Travel is booming, sustainable mobility gaining importance

In 2024, the number of arrivals and overnight stays in Austria returned to pre-pandemic levels. Travel demand continues to rise, but stays are becoming shorter. Since 1995, the average length of stay in Austria has fallen from nearly five nights to three, while the number of arrivals has doubled.^6,7 At the same time, the number of car-free households is increasing, particularly in urban areas. In 2023, 47 per cent of households in Vienna and around 30 per cent in other major Austrian cities did not own a car.^8,9 As holiday travel patterns often mirror everyday mobility, accessibility without a car is becoming increasingly crucial for tourism destinations.^10,11 Without attractive options for car-free access, tourism regions risk losing a growing target group.

Mode of arrival affects acceptance of tourism

Avoiding high traffic volumes and congestion fosters good relations between local residents and visitors, and in the long term enhances both quality of life for residents and the region’s attractiveness to guests. The level of acceptance of tourism in Austria is measured through regular surveys. Results show that the mode of arrival influences how the local population perceives tourism. Travellers arriving by train enjoy the highest level of acceptance at 86 per cent, followed by those arriving by bus at 78 per cent. Arrival by car is considered acceptable by 70 per cent, while only 64 per cent regard air travel as acceptable. 52 per cent of respondents see it as a problem that tourism occupies too many local parking spaces. 46 per cent feel that road traffic is heavily affected, and around 30 per cent report that they are more frequently stuck in traffic jams due to the high number of visitors.¹²

Mode of arrival decisive for local mobility

The car is the most common mode of transport for domestic and international guests travelling to and from their destinations.¹³ Many holidaymakers use several modes of transport at their destination. However, those arriving by car usually continue to rely on it, whereas those arriving by train or bus are more likely to get around on foot or by bike.¹⁴ To strengthen local mobility options and reduce pressure on the local area, tourism regions should begin by addressing how guests travel to their destinations.

Targeted management of mobility in tourism

Although conditions differ between tourism regions, all can promote sustainable mobility by implementing tailored measures. When developing services, it is essential to view mobility as an integral component, plan it strategically and ensure adequate funding from the outset. Key elements include a well-developed public transport system with flexible supplementary services, active mobility at the destination, e-mobility and sharing options, traffic and parking management, and comprehensive information provided before booking and during the stay.¹⁵ Close cooperation between tourism regions and transport providers enables intelligent, integrated solutions.

Creating flexible services for the last mile

In winter tourism, 86 per cent of guests arrive by car, making it the dominant mode of transport. However, an analysis of 400 major Alpine winter sports destinations shows that two thirds of ski resorts are suitable for car-free tourism. In fact, a quarter of these destinations can be reached faster by train than by car from the main countries of origin. In Austria, 35 of 117 ski resorts have a railway station within the village, and 46 are less than 30 minutes from the nearest station.¹⁶ However, 45 per cent of winter holidaymakers state that luggage is the main reason they do not travel by train to their destination. For summer holidaymakers, the accessibility of the destination and limited local mobility options play a greater role.¹⁷ Luggage and shuttle services, along with improvements to public transport, can help meet these needs and promote sustainable mobility in tourism. For example, the ÖBB Transfer Carinthia shuttle takes guests from railway stations to their accommodation, campsites or other destinations.¹⁸ In the Wilder Kaiser region, guests can easily get around using the hiking and ski bus.¹⁹

Traffic calming and parking management

Lower speeds reduce noise and emissions and improve road safety, enhancing the quality of public spaces and creating an attractive environment for tourism. For example, the municipality of Bischofshofen has had a 30 km/h speed limit on all roads since 2007, complemented by a shared space with a 20 km/h limit.²² In addition to speed limits, car-free zones, parking zones and fees also help manage car traffic while encouraging cycling, walking and the use of public transport. For this reason, the association of seven municipalities known as the plan b-Gemeinden in the province of Vorarlberg introduced cross-regional parking management as early as 2018.²³

Setting and communicating incentives

Car-free travel to and from destinations is particularly advantageous for activities with different starting and finishing points, such as hiking or cycling tours. To make this possible, innovative mobility concepts, cooperation with regional transport providers and targeted awareness-raising are essential. Tourism businesses and organisers of events awarded the Austrian Ecolabel are required to take measures to inform guests about climate-friendly travel options and to offer appropriate incentives.²⁴ For example, hotels such as the Leutascherhof and the Walchseerhof in Tyrol, as well as the Hotel zur Post in Salzburg, offer discounts for guests arriving by public transport.^25,26,27

Managing tourism mobility strategically

Maintaining the attractiveness of tourism regions has become increasingly important in view of the growing number of travellers and the rising importance of sustainable mobility. Reduced traffic noise, cleaner air and improved road safety make regions more liveable while easing pressure on the environment and infrastructure. Regions and municipalities can make an important contribution by providing better public transport connections and mobility services for the last mile, as well as introducing car-sharing schemes, parking management systems and targeted traffic-calming measures. Tourism businesses can also promote sustainable transport through corporate mobility management for both guests and employees. The klimaaktiv mobil guide for tourism regions is a practical resource offering advice on implementing concrete measures.³²

Making destinations more attractive for everyone

The current federal government’s programme sets out a strategy to further develop tourism as a driver of greater sustainability for the period 2025 to 2029.³³ Travel to and from destinations, as well as local mobility, are important levers for advancing sustainability in the tourism industry. This requires attractive options for travelling to destinations without a car or plane, along with the expansion of public transport and integrated local mobility services. Efficient public transport reduces traffic noise, improves air quality, protects the scenic beauty of the countryside and strengthens the attractiveness of destinations. This benefits not only guests but also the local population in their everyday lives.

Katharina Jaschinsky, VCÖ – Mobility with a future:

„Climate-friendly travel begins with the choice of destination. Better mobility services, clear information and effective incentives are needed to reduce emissions, noise and congestion, helping to preserve the quality of life in tourism regions.“

VCÖ-Factsheet "Sustainable mobility as a driver for tourism regions" PDF-Download

Klimaaktiv mobil advises and supports relevant stakeholders, decision-makers and investors in the development and implementation of climate-friendly measures in the transport sector. Info: klimaaktivmobil.at

VCÖ is responsible for the content and editing of the VCÖ factsheet. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the supporting institutions. This factsheet was financed by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.