Pinzgau: Arab tourists are back
Compared to the pre-CoV years, around two thirds of the Arab guests have returned this summer season, tourism experts estimate. They continue to spend an above-average amount of money: around 300 euros per person and day.
Happy about the return of Arab vacationers
“We are glad that the Arab guests and holidaymakers as a whole are here again. The Arabs come to us very often and are mainly looking for shoes and children’s clothing. It is also striking that women’s and men’s clothing is bought. Many are much more open-minded and also friendly. We are really happy about every customer who comes in and finds something with us”, Manfred Rogetzer – he runs a specialist shop for sporting goods in Kaprun.
Many already from the second generation of vacationers
Excursions into nature continue to be popular with Arab guests. “We find that Arab guests are very experienced travellers. Here at the Kitzsteinhorn, we know that the second generation is already coming to the region. That means they know the customs in Austria. And, of course, they also become more cosmopolitan through traveling a lot,” says Norbert Karlsböck, CEO of Bergbahnen Kaprun.
Accommodation for families is very popular
The hoteliers now know the needs of Arab guests. “Many guests book via online booking platforms. And then the hotels on the lake are fully booked first, then the apartments – i.e. rooms with many beds for large families and then the rest,” says Maximilian Posch, Chairman of the Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism Association.
Again many Arab guests in the Pinzgau
In recent years, tourists from Arab countries have stayed away. This year they are back. Although the number of visitors is still a long way from the previous peak values, one thing has remained the same: no other holiday group spends as much money as tourists from the Near and Middle East.
Landscape and rain continue to be popular
It is a well-known fact that people from Arab countries particularly appreciate the Pinzgau landscape and the probably exotic weather for them. “It’s nice here, very nice. We also have good weather. I arrived yesterday and it rained all day. I really like the rain,” says a tourist from Kuwait. One guest, Ahmed Asiri Freundlich from Saudi Arabia, was also enthusiastic: “It’s excellent, good weather, the area is beautiful, everyone is, the food is good. There are many things to enjoy here in Zell am See.
In general, one speaks of a good capacity utilization of the tourism companies in the Zell am See region, not only with Arab guests, but also from neighboring European countries.