22. 02. 10. - 15:00

Crunch effects fade as Austrians plan holidays

The number of Austrians planning to take holidays has increased, a new survey has shown.

Peter Zellmann, head of Vienna’s Institute for Leisure Time and Tourism Research (IFT) said today (Mon) that 40 per cent plan to take holidays, whether in Austria or abroad, this year.

"This is a one per cent increase on early last year. But people are less pessimistic since the number of those unsure whether they would go on holidays has shrunk by six per cent to 30 per cent," he said.

Zellmann said 15,000 Austrians were interviewed for the research.

He stressed many people would make rather spontaneous and short-term decisions on holidays, adding that weather conditions would also play a role throughout the year.

Zellmann said 17 per cent of those planning to go on holidays in 2010 will spend them in Austria. He said Italy is set to remain Austrians’ favourite foreign destination (14 per cent), followed by Croatia (10 per cent).

Around 18 per cent of people planning to take holidays will travel outside Europe, the IFT head said.