Austria’s thermal spas welcomed around 8.6 million visitors in 2024 – an increase of 1.4% on the previous year – but numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to market research firm Branchenradar.

The total is still around 900,000 short of the record set in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitor numbers rose in most regions, with the biggest increase in Tyrol, followed by Upper Austria and Styria. Only Lower Austria and Vienna saw a decline.

Of the 38 spas in operation in 2019, just ten have matched or exceeded their pre-pandemic attendance. Styria and Upper Austria had three each, Burgenland had two, while Lower Austria and Tyrol had one apiece. Styria remained Austria’s most popular thermal spa destination.

Heatwaves Take a Toll

Market analyst Andreas Kreutzer said the rise in visitor numbers was driven by “the unrelenting travel enthusiasm of both domestic and international guests.”

However, Kreutzer noted that prolonged heatwaves had a negative impact in some areas, particularly on spas and saltwater baths “without extensive outdoor facilities.”