16 AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2019 | International Boat Industry ibinews.com
Markets & Regions
EUROPE | ROUND-UP
AUSTRIA
REAL GDP GROWTH (2018) 2.7%
REAL GDP GROWTH (2019 est) 1.3%
NUMBER OF ADULTS 7.1 MILLION
NUMBER $ MILLIONAIRES 229,
BOAT PARK 65,
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
(Change in index points Jun/Jul) -0.2%
NEW CAR SALES
(Change Jan-Jun ‘18/19) -8.8%N
ot much has changed in the
Austrian leisure marine market
since IBI last reported on this
small, landlocked country back in 2018.
Despite being mountainous, with few
places to enjoy boating, Austria’s high
living standards mean its citizens have
plenty of disposable income; with limited
places to berth, most boaters can afford to
keep their yachts in nearby Italy, Croatia
or Slovenia.
“The current business year is extremely
positive, but we also have to look at the
global economic situation,” says Stefan
Frauscher of Frauscher Boats, Austria’s
biggest shipyard. “We’re seeing some
negative signs for 2020. For the moment,
though, we’re cautiously optimistic.”
Most Austrian companies, whether
they’re targeting customers looking to use
their boats at home or abroad, are small,
family-run operations – and business
is said to be stable. In Austria itself,
where restrictions on the use of marinecombustion engines are in force on the
country’s lakes and rivers, electric boating
and sailing are the norm.
“We’re still seeing a demand for electric
boats, but there aren’t enough moorings
in our harbours. That is one of the biggest
restrictions to growth,” Frauscher told
IBI. “The trend is towards higher-powered
electric boats, but pricing and poor
marina infrastructure are a hindrance to
widespread adoption.
“Austrians also use their boats a lot
on foreign lakes and seas, so there’s good
demand for our powerboat range too.”
Frauscher currently exports more
than 85% of production. The company
recently founded a sales and boat test
company in Mallorca (Port Adriano) and
another in France (Port Grimaud, close to
St Tropez) to help grow the brand and sell
boats in those areas. “We work with good
dealers in many European countries,”
says Frauscher, “and the US market
(especially Florida) is also growing.” nComplete Climate Solutions: Heating, Cooling & Roofs
Tight restrictions on the use of powerboats
on Austrian lakes means that many of its citizens
use their boats outside the countrySTEFAN FRAUSCHER, OWNER
FRAUSCHER BOATSThere’s a trend
towards higher-
powered electric
boats, but pricing
and poor marina
infrastructure are
a hindrance to
wider adoption