Development in Tourism Dominated by Special Factors

The favourable results achieved in Austria's tourism sector in the winter season raised expectations for the summer season, despite a slowdown in economic activity in the OECD countries. The main reasons for the optimistic outlook were the expected positive effects of some special factors, a trend, observed since 1988, in favour of Austrian summer resorts, and the gradual improvement in Austria's tourism facilities. In fact, receipts from international tourism developed sluggishly from May to July: In nominal terms the gain of 3½ percent was smaller than in 1990; in real terms receipts stagnated. Compared to the number of overnight stays, expenditures (adjusted for price increases) even fell.