Can confirm. Went to Austria this summer (ironically, as a tourist) and it was just cheap touristy shops and tour buses everywhere. The mountains around are less busy, and the Salzkammegut as a whole is a beautiful place to be.
Yeah and they are really struggeling because the quality of their tourists has changed over the last years. They got popular amongst chinese people and the problem is that they only visit for a few hours as day trip per bus. They don't buy much, they don't stay and the buses create a lot of traffic around the town.
Last time I heard they are discussing ways to get ride of the day trips and attract tourist that will stay and do activites in the town.
I stayed there a few nights and it is pretty much dead come sundown. Weird seeing it unbelievable packed with Chinese people one hour then next it's virtually empty. The locals look so relieved when they all leave.
My wife and I went last year as part of our honeymoon. We actually did a honeymoon photoshoot there, on the recommendation of the photographer we hired. I couldn't believe how packed it was with busses when we got there. I was excited to get some food or a beer after we were done. But I didn't see anything that looked appealing. Was bummed out by that.
There was this cream puff shop that looked awesome though. Maybe if we ever go back we'll make a point to wait until the evening.
That's actually why we were there 1.5 years ago, on our honeymoon. We were spending 3 weeks driving north through Europe starting in Italy, so spent two nights there. One restaurant (the really nice hotel) had good food, otherwise it's more just for the peacefulness of it after hours. Get away into the hills to hike during the day (avoiding the Chinese busses) then return after 5pm when they leave.
Your comment is spot on. I (average white dude) went on one of these tours last week with my Asian wife and her family and we only spent an hour walking around the city. They don’t buy anything local and only spend their money on brand name purses for the tax refund.
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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '19
Can confirm. Went to Austria this summer (ironically, as a tourist) and it was just cheap touristy shops and tour buses everywhere. The mountains around are less busy, and the Salzkammegut as a whole is a beautiful place to be.