Chinese tourists flock to Austria for winter fun

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Waves of tourists are flocking to the Gastein Valley, near the Austrian city of Salzburg, after a week of snow falling over the Alps. The region has seen a rapid influx of Chinese tourists over the past year, who come to ski as much as to bathe in the hot springs.

Snow 1.5 meters deep on average, Gastein Valley is a paradise for skiers, be they amateurs or professionals.

Polish skier Ruska said, "I’m a professional, I’m just good, but they are good too."

Over 2 million visitors stayed overnight in Gastein Valley in 2012 and more than half came during winter. For many, this is not their first time here.

And what a better way to relax after skiing than to stroll around in the streets of Salzburg, the hometown of music prodigy Mozart. You can also wind down in the hot springs at the foot of the Alps. Such a beautiful destination is by no means ignored by savvy Chinese tourists.

Mayor of Salzburg Harald Peruner said, "We received 60,000 Chinese tourists here in 2012, a 56% surge from the previous year. We are providing better services tailored specifically for them."

Statistics also show that there are fewer and fewer visitors from countries in Europe. As a result, Salzburg is shifting its focus to Chinese and South Korean tourists.

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