Frustrated by the Dinner Train debacle in May 2024, Sam, Danny and I looked for an alternative activity. As Sam is water baby, we and we don’t object to swimming pools, whirlpools and wellness facilities either, we booked three nights and two days in August 2024 at Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld. This ‘Signature Spa of the Alps‘ is located in Oberlängenfeld, in Längenfeld, in the Ötztal or Ötz Valley in Tyrol, in Austria.
Tyrol is a household name in Belgium. The state or Land in Austria is a popular destination during winter to ski and do partake in other winter sports, but also in summer to hike and cycle. Visit Tirol also advertises often in Belgium.
My first time in Tyrol was in 2020, visiting Innsbruck. Growing up, we went mostly to France in summer and Romandy, French-speaking Switzerland for skiing.
So Tyrol is quite unknown to me.
Introducing Tyrol
Tyrol is a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Its dramatic mountain peaks, picturesque valleys, and crystal-clear lakes have captivated visitors for centuries. The state’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, combined with its diverse range of activities, makes it a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.
Tyrol’s history dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlements dating as far back as the Paleolithic era. During the Roman Empire, the region was part of the province of Raetia, and it later fell under the influence of various Germanic tribes. In the Middle Ages, Tyrol emerged as a powerful county ruled by the Counts of Andechs-Meran.
The 14th century marked a significant turning point in Tyrol’s history, as it came under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty. The Habsburgs, who also ruled the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, played a crucial role in shaping Tyrol’s development. During their reign, the region experienced a period of economic prosperity, cultural flourishing, and artistic achievement.
The 19th century saw Tyrol become part of the Austrian Empire and subsequently the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The region played a significant role in World War I, and as a result, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919 divided Tyrol between Austria and Italy. The northern part of Tyrol remained with Austria, while the southern part, known as South Tyrol, became part of Italy.
Geography and nature
Tyrol is characterized by its mountainous terrain, which is dominated by the Alps. The region is home to some of the highest peaks in the Alps, including the Wildspitze (3,774 meters) and the Ortler (3,905 meters). These mountains provide a stunning backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, and skiing.
The state’s diverse landscape also includes picturesque valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests. The Inn River, one of the most important rivers in Tyrol, flows through the region, providing opportunities for fishing, rafting, and kayaking.
Culture and traditions
Tyrol’s rich cultural heritage is evident in its traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The region is known for its yodeling, a distinctive singing technique that involves rapid changes in pitch. Tyrolean folk dances, such as the Schuhplattler, are often performed at festivals and celebrations.
The state’s cuisine is influenced by its rural roots and the availability of local ingredients. Traditional Tyrolean dishes often feature hearty meats, such as venison and pork, as well as dairy products like cheese and butter. Potatoes, a staple crop in the region, are also a common ingredient in many Tyrolean dishes.
Tourism and economy
Tourism is a major economic sector in Tyrol, attracting millions of visitors each year. The region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities make it a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.
In addition to tourism, Tyrol’s economy is supported by industries such as agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. The region is also known for its high-quality handicrafts, including woodcarving, glassblowing, and ceramics.
Challenges and opportunities
Tyrol, like many other regions in the world, faces a number of challenges. These include climate change, which threatens the region’s glaciers and ski resorts, as well as the preservation of its cultural heritage.
However, Tyrol also has significant opportunities. The region’s natural beauty and outdoor activities make it well-positioned to attract tourists, and its focus on sustainability can help to ensure its long-term economic viability.
Focus on tourism
One of Tyrol’s most significant tourism assets is its breathtaking natural beauty. The region is renowned for its towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests. The Alps dominate the landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities.
Tyrol offers a vast network of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging mountaineering routes. Popular destinations include the Zugspitze, Austria’s highest mountain, and the Karwendel Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The region is also a cyclist’s paradise, with scenic routes suitable for all levels of experience. From leisurely bike rides along lakeshores to challenging mountain bike trails, there’s something for everyone.
Tyrol is a very popular world-class skiing destination, with numerous ski resorts offering excellent facilities and varied terrain. Popular resorts include Kitzbühel, Sölden, and Ischgl. Compared to Switzerland, Tyrol is very cheap, making it even more popular.
Tyrol’s lakes and rivers provide opportunities for water sports such as swimming, sailing, kayaking, and rafting. The Achensee, one of Austria’s largest lakes, is a particularly popular destination for water activities.
Cultural heritage and historical sites
Tyrol’s rich cultural heritage is evident in its numerous historical sites and traditional customs. Visitors can explore medieval castles, charming villages, and historic churches.
The state capital, Innsbruck, is a vibrant city with a blend of modern and historical architecture. Must-see attractions include the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Golden Roof, and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
The historic town of Hall in Tirol is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets. Visitors can explore the Old Town, visit the salt mines, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Inn River.
Perched on a hill overlooking the Inn River, Kufstein is a picturesque town with a fortress that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The former mining town of Schwaz is now a popular tourist destination with a well-preserved medieval center and a lively atmosphere.
Festivals and events
Tyrol hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, providing visitors with opportunities to experience local culture and traditions.
- Perchtenläufe: These winter rituals involve costumed performers who parade through the streets, often wearing masks and carrying torches.
- Summer festivals: Tyrol’s summer months are filled with music festivals, outdoor events, and traditional celebrations.
- Christmas Markets: During the Christmas season, Tyrolean towns and villages come alive with festive markets featuring local crafts, food, and drinks.
Facts and figures on tourism in Tyrol
“Tourism in Tirol has a long history. Until the late 19th century, most visitors were traders and travellers on the important north-south and east-west transit routes passing through the region. From the early 20th century, Tirol became increasingly popular as a holiday destination in its own right”, a February 2024 press release by Visit Tirol says. You’ll notice it uses the German spelling, Tirol with i.
Tourism is an essential part of Tirol’s economy. Almost 25,000 local businesses rely on tourism. With around 50,000 employees, the tourism sector is not only important as a creator of jobs but also drives other fields such as crafts and trade.
Upswing in tourism
“The earliest visitors to Tirol, who arrived more than 200 years ago, were members of the ruling elite embarking on elaborate journeys to educate themselves and broaden their horizons. From the middle of the 19th century, more and more people found themselves drawn to the mountains during the hot months of the year to cool off. Alongside summer tourism, mountaineering soon became the second mainstay of tourism in the region. It was not until the early 20th century that winter tourism began to develop.é
Tourism in Tyrol took off in earnest after World War II. “This enabled even peripheral regions such as the valleys to enjoy economic development and prosperity. Until the mid-1990s, summer was the more important of the seasons – and in 1991 it brought Tirol its best result to date with just over 23 million overnight stays.”
In 2018/19, the last full tourism year before the COVID-19 pandemic, 27.5 million overnight stays were recorded in winter compared with 22.2 million overnight stays in summer, representing a ratio of 55:45 %.
Tourism year 2022/23
The balance sheet for the 2022/23 tourism year, from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023, shows a significant increase compared to the previous year, as the winter season in the 2021/22 tourism year was still adversely affected by coronavirus restrictions.
As a result, arrivals increased by 15.4 per cent to 12.1 million and overnight stays by 11.8 per cent to 48.5 million. It is therefore also worth comparing this figure with the 2018/19 tourism year (before COVID-19).
Using this as a basis, the 2022/23 tourism year is 2.5 per cent lower in terms of arrivals and 2.4 per cent lower in terms of overnight stays.
The average length of stay for Tyrolean guests over the entire 2022/23 tourism year was 4.0 days, which is consistent with the previous year.
The 2022/23 winter season was the first without coronavirus-related restrictions since winter 2018/19. For this reason, a comparison with the pre-crisis level of 2018/19 is also recommended for winter 2022/2023.
After the sharp declines during the pandemic, figures have recovered significantly and are only slightly below pre-coronavirus levels: 25.7 million overnight stays in the 2022/23 winter season represent a drop of 6.5 per cent compared to winter 2018/19.
At 5.8 million, guest arrivals are still 7.3 per cent below the pre-pandemic level. And according to a calculation by MCI Tourismus, the regional value creation of 3.5 billion euros, adjusted for inflation, comes within six per cent of the figure from the 2018/19 winter season. At 4.5 days, the average length of stay in winter 2022/23 was up 0.8 per cent on the pre-crisis level.
“Despite challenging conditions – in particular massive inflation rates – the 2023 summer season closed with a year-on-year increase in both arrivals and overnight stays: 6.3 million guest arrivals in the period from May to October 2023 represent an increase of 5.1 per cent. Overnight stays increased by 1.5 per cent to 22.8 million. The average length of stay dropped slightly to 3.6 days (minus 0.1 day). In terms of overnight stays, the 2023 summer season was the strongest since the summer of 1991, despite a significant decline in the number of beds from 371,000 to 328,000 over the past 30 years. Value creation grew by 1.9 per cent year-on-year to 2.4 billion euros.”
Tyrol’s tourism strategy
Tirol’s tourism strategy is set out in the ‘Tyrolean Way 2021‘. This strategy paper is based on four core drivers from which fields of action and measures are derived:
- Tyrol is a place where people both live and spend their holidays.
- Tyrol’s tourism industry is family-based and cross-generational.
- Tyrol is a recognised for its leadership expertise in alpine tourism
- Sustainability and regional focus.
And us?
We did not stay the average four days. We arrived on a Monday evening and left on a Thursday morning. Three nights, two full days. It’s all we had.
But I can see why four days is a good amount. From Belgium, Tyrol is more or less a ten-hour drive so four days make these hours in a car worth it.
While you can fly to Austria or travel there by train, I feel like most Belgians going to Tyrol will do so by car, to be mobile while in Austria.
Tyrol 2020
- Habsburg Schloss Ambras Castle in Innsbruck.
- Ibis Innsbruck.
- Imperial Palace Hofburg Innsbruck.
- Ferdinandeum Tyrol State Museum in Innsbruck.
- Innsbruck.Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
- 2020 Saxony, Bavaria and Tyrol Getaway.
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