The desire of Austrian tourists to travel remains strong for 2026, and oriented towards popular beach destinations, despite economic uncertainties that lead to a more careful choice of vacations in terms of cost.
According to a new survey by YouGov, 76% of Austrians are planning at least one trip for the summer of 2026, confirming that vacations remain a vital necessity.
Classic beach holidays continue to dominate (50%), having the greatest appeal among 25–44-year-olds. City breaks follow (37%) and nature getaways, to lakes or mountains (30%).
Consistently high demand for Greece, Turkey and Spain
58% of respondents plan to travel by air in the summer of 2026, with a particular preference for medium-haul routes, mainly among younger age groups (18–34). 47% are planning a medium-haul trip, while 18% are targeting long-haul destinations.
“Demand for destinations such as Greece, Turkey and Spain remains consistently high,” notes TUI Austria Managing Director Gottfried Math, adding that TUI’s summer schedule includes around 270 weekly connections from Austria.
Sustainability in… second place
Although 39% of travelers say they do not attach particular importance to sustainability when on vacation, those aged 18–24 are significantly more sensitive to the issue. However, only 12% say they are willing to spend more on “green” options.
Pay attention to prices
Price remains a key factor in travel decisions. 31% travel off-peak to save money, 30% look for discounts and offers, while 22% take advantage of early booking discounts, which this year at TUI reach up to 30%. Despite the general attention to prices, many travelers invest in additional services: short excursions, rooms with sea views or direct access to the pool, rental cars and private transportation.
Only 10% will reduce travel expenses
The survey shows that in 2026 consumers plan to reduce spending in several areas: 18% on dining and entertainment, 13% on electronics, 11% on clothing and footwear. Only 10% say they will reduce their travel spending – something that is not yet reflected in TUI’s figures, as the average per capita spending on summer holidays has increased by 4.3% compared to last year.
The data is based on an online survey conducted by YouGov Germany from September 29 to October 1, 2025, in which 1,003 people in Austria participated. The results were weighted and representative of the Austrian population by age (18 years and over), gender and region.
