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Austria has been identified as the world's most overcrowded tourist destination, with nearly four tourists per resident. According to research by MoneyTransfers.com, Austria's ratio stands at 3.6 tourists for every resident, a striking contrast to other European countries grappling with overtourism.
With a population of about nine million, Austria attracts roughly 32 million international visitors annually, predominantly to its capital, Vienna. The city's tourism numbers have surged, with a 31 percent increase in overnight stays from 2022 to 2023, totaling 17.3 million nights.
Vienna’s infrastructure has adapted to this influx, but other regions like Hallstatt are struggling. Known for its scenic Alpine charm, Hallstatt has faced overtourism issues, leading to controversial measures such as wooden fences that blocked lake views to manage tourist numbers. The fences were later removed following public outcry.
Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been a popular destination since it was rumored to inspire Disney's "Frozen," despite the film's actual inspirations coming from Norway and Canada. Before the pandemic, the town, which has about 800 residents, saw up to 10,000 visitors daily. Mayor Alexander Scheutz has since imposed limits on tour buses and cars and aims to reduce tourist numbers by one-third.
In 2023, protesters rallied against mass tourism, advocating for strict visitor limits to preserve the town's habitat.
[Information sourced from Independent]
