The winter season 2023 was clearly successful in the High Tatras Region. Accommodation and catering establishments entered the winter with low expectations due to the economic and geopolitical situation.
For the period January to March 2023, we recorded 153,216 guests staying in the High Tatras, which is an increase of +50,23% compared to 101,984 guests staying in winter 2022. However, the success of this winter season is underlined in particular by the fact that the number of visitors exceeded the number of guests accommodated in the previous winter in 2019, when 130,462 guests were accommodated, which, compared to this historically most successful year in the CR in Slovakia since 1993, showed an increase in the number of guests accommodated for the winter + 17,44%. Ski resorts and accommodation facilities went into the 2023 winter season with "a little bit of a lull", all CR businesses have taken a number of austerity measures in connection with the situation and forecasts, aimed at saving all types of energy and tried to ensure the winter 2023 in the best possible way from the operational point of view.
Responsible preparation of all ski resort operators within the High Tatras Region in providing technical snowmaking during suitable climatic conditions was demonstrated, which led to the fact that also despite the 2nd warmest January since 1931 according to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, the ski resorts remained in full operation throughout the winter season 2023.
In addition to the increase in the number of domestic visitors, we are also pleased that foreign guests have returned. In winter 2023, 110,147 domestic and 43,069 foreign guests were accommodated, representing a ratio of 71.89 % : 28.11 %. In comparison, in winter 2022, 80,454 domestic and 21,530 international guests were accommodated, representing a ratio of 78.89 % : 21.11 %. Compared to last winter, the region saw an increase of up to 7 % in the number of foreign guests accommodated.
The biggest jump in the number of visitors from foreign countries is this winter Hungary, the number of tourists from this country has almost doubled, the second surprise are Romanians, tourists from Baltic States, but in higher numbers than in the past.
It is also interesting to compare with winter 2019, when 93,765 domestic and 36,697 foreign guests were accommodated, which represented a ratio of 71.87 % : 28.13 %. In the winter of 2023, the same relative ratio of domestic and international visitors as in the most successful CR year to date before the pandemic has also been achieved. Some nationalities have dropped out of the statistics altogether, guests from far away countries like South Korea or Australia are still missing.
According to the latest data, the structure of the guests staying in the High Tatras Region, TOP 10 countries in winter 2023 was as follows:
1. Slovakia 71,89 %
2. Czech Republic 12,33 %
3. Poland 5,58 %
4. Hungary 2,97 %
5. Germany
6. Lithuania
7. Romania
8. Israel
9. USA
10. United Kingdom
The greatest interest was classically in the Tatra Ice Dome attractions, skiing opportunities (cable car and ski lift operations), hiking opportunities, skitouring, or cross-country skiing, but also other attractions especially for families with children. - in bad weather or indoors (Aquapark, interactive galleries, Tanapu Museum, attractions in the foothills). The return of big events such as Tatry Ice Master, Tatra or Poprad Christmas, Snow Dogs and Štrbské Ski Cross-country Skiing definitely helped the attendance.
Source:OOCR Región Vysoké Tatry
