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The balance for the tourism year 2022 around the Kalkalpen National Park is positive: The Steyr Tourist Association and the National Park Region report in a press release of a total of 308,529 overnight stays in 2022. “That is an increase of almost 29 percent compared to the previous year,” says managing director Eva Pötzl in conversation with the Steyrer Zeitung. Steyr is popular with visitors, both day visitors and business people. The seminars and conferences sector in particular has picked up again. According to Pötzl, an increase of 14.3 percent compared to the successful year 2019 is really gratifying. “However, with the two hotels Aiden by Best Western and harry’s home, we have 400 more guest beds in the city,” remains the head of tourism on the carpet.
Recommendations such as the “bucket list” for the national park are well received. This means that excursions and activities can be found on a kind of hit list – without this best-of, the journey home is almost impossible. The tourism industry has a lot planned for 2023: in spring, for example, the Steyr museum ticket will be advertised. As reported, ten museums in Steyr can be visited in April with a cheap ticket for twelve euros.
According to tourism expert Pötzl, pilgrimages and hiking are very popular – this demand is taken into account. In addition to the already popular Sebaldusweg, the Benediktweg will be opened in August. The pilgrimage route leads from Hinterstoder to Passau. “The Mariazellerweg – which leads, among other things, from Steyr in the direction of Maria Neustift and on to the well-known place of pilgrimage – is being redesigned and completely revised as part of a leader project.” The tourism industry expects even more awareness and higher occupancy rates by addressing special target groups. The Ennstal is a stronghold for climbers. Specifically, bouldering, i.e. climbing on boulders to the jump height without rope and harness, is very popular there and almost magically attracts the fans of this sport. The situation is similar with the trend sport of trail running – running in the great outdoors – depending on your mood and condition, even up steep mountain peaks. “We work together with the Steyr running coach Florian Reiter and will in future be offering 15 specially designated trail running routes,” says Pötzl. In June, the “Trans National Park” opens for mountain bikers, with varied stages through the Limestone Alps and the Gesäuse.
While the booking situation for the summer is already looking good, tourism professionals are already planning for next year. In 2024, culture will be a priority. With the Bruckner anniversary and the cultural capital of Bad Ischl, there are two highlights. Linz has once again drawn the displeasure of Steyr’s cultural workers: None of the projects submitted for 200 years of Anton Bruckner will be funded from the state’s special fund.
Source: Nachrichten
