Styria, Austria, remains a popular destination for camping enthusiasts, recording 756,680 overnight stays in 2025. While this figure represents a slight decrease of 0.4 percent compared to the 759,520 stays in 2024, camping continues to be a growing tourism segment in Austria overall. Nationally, camping and pitch stays reached a record high of approximately 8.8 million overnight stays in 2025, a 3.5 percent increase year-over-year, according to Statistics Austria.
Styria ranks fourth among Austria’s federal states in terms of camping overnight stays, trailing behind Carinthia, Tyrol and Salzburg. The region’s performance contrasts with the national trend, remaining relatively stable. The enduring appeal of camping in Styria is underscored by consistently high occupancy rates at local campsites, a testament to the quality of services offered, according to industry representatives.
The summer months continue to dominate the camping season in Styria. August proved to be the busiest month, with 199,612 overnight stays, followed closely by June with 191,749. July also saw significant activity, recording 135,213 overnight stays. Major events play a key role in driving tourism during these peak periods.
“The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Austria in June and the MotoGP event in August – both held in Spielberg – are strong drivers for tourism in the region. This is also reflected in the number of overnight stays on camping and pitch sites,” stated Tomas Mehlmauer, President of the Austrian Camping Club (ÖCC).
A notable surge in demand was observed in the spring months. April 2025 saw a near doubling of overnight stays compared to the same month in 2024, rising from 16,233 to 31,115. While May experienced a slight dip, with 57,785 overnight stays, it still contributed to the overall positive trend.
Growing Interest in Winter Camping
Beyond the traditional summer season, winter camping is gaining traction in Styria. December saw a significant increase of 34 percent in overnight stays, reaching 9,357 compared to 7,000 in December 2024. January and February also recorded slight increases, indicating a growing interest in off-season camping experiences.
The majority of campers in Styria are domestic tourists, accounting for 43 percent of all overnight stays. The remaining 57 percent are international visitors. Mehlmauer emphasized, “Domestic campsites have been recording high occupancy rates for years – a clear sign of the quality and service that campers expect here.”
Styria’s Camping Performance in Context
The data from Styria contributes to the broader picture of camping tourism in Austria. According to City Population, Styria’s population as of January 1, 2025, is estimated at 1,271,940. This suggests a significant portion of the population, and visitors, are drawn to outdoor recreational activities like camping.
Looking ahead, the continued growth of camping in Styria will likely depend on factors such as investment in campsite infrastructure, promotion of sustainable tourism practices, and the ability to attract both domestic and international visitors. The increasing popularity of winter camping suggests a potential for diversifying the camping season and extending the economic benefits to a wider range of months.
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