“In this respect, Linz is in a miserable position,” said outgoing tourism director Georg Steiner at the presentation of the current number of overnight stays in Linz on Tuesday. And meant, as reported, the lack of offers, i.e. parking spaces for the booming mobile home tourism. This has been a “sore point” for years, and the need is definitely there: “The wave is rolling over us.”
Steiner does not want the potential of these tourists to be underestimated; they certainly have purchasing power. The debate about parking spaces near the city center is not new, the topic was last discussed in 2019. Due to the lack of offers, some camping tourists looked for “creative” alternative accommodation. A hot tip back then: the parking lot of the Ars Electronica Center as well as the parking area at Freinberg. There it was not uncommon to see a mobile home “blocking” several parking spaces.
From the political side it was said that one was interested in creating “orderly conditions”. But then Corona came and with it other challenges and priorities. Now, with the upswing in tourism, the topic is becoming more topical again.
“It would be desirable if an operator or suitable land could be found. We are open to that,” says Tourism Councilor Doris Lang-Mayerhofer (VP) when asked by OÖN. With a new location, not only the parking spaces, but also the appropriate infrastructure (sanitary facilities, waste disposal, etc.) would have to be considered.
Of course, such an offer near the center would be optimal, it is said, the camping tourists are by no means only to be seen as self-sufficient, but definitely as a wealthy public. Lang-Mayerhofer also points out that the existing campsite in Pichling is well received, and there are also offers in Steyregg and Ottensheim.
City councilor Dietmar Prammer (SP), who is responsible for city properties, emphasizes that such an offer would not only be welcomed in the city, but would also be supported. Interested operators are welcome. (jp)
Source: Nachrichten
