The early implementation of sustainable technology in artificial snowmaking has set Austria apart from Europe’s other ski nations. Snow Space Salzburg is a benchmark in this respect. The snow groomers that patrol the cable-car company’s 12 peaks are 100 per cent powered by green electricity – and that snow distributed is drinking-water quality, thanks to the Salzburg Purity Law. That commitment to sustainable ski operations extends to guest behaviour with Snow Space Salzburg working to reduce CO2 emissions on journeys to and from its resorts. (It helps that the country leads the way in green mobility solutions from EOOS Social Design’s electric tricycle for last-mile journeys to AVL List’s innovations in hydrogen power.)

As demands shift, tourism intensity (the ratio of overnight tourist stays to resident population) has emerged as a key metric for assessing strength of demand. The EU average is 6.4, compared with 62.6 and 52.9 in Tyrol and Salzburg respectively. And with Seefeld in Tyrol and Wagrain-Kleinarl in Salzburg becoming the first of four regions awarded the Austrian Ecolabel in 2023, appetite for sustainable destinations is clearly high. As many countries commit to ambitious long-term environmental targets, in Austria the future is already here.

By investing in sustainable technology, Austria remains a top ski destination with 43.6 million skier visits per season.

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Three leading spa resorts

Der Steirerhof, Bad Waltersdorf
Austria’s dominance in wellness tourism is typified by this vast resort

Genussdorf Gmachl, Salzburg
Traditional hospitality meets cutting-edge spa treatments in the city limits

Mountain Resort Feuerberg, Villach
Plunge into a bathing lake or infinity pool high in the Carinthian forests