Price shock on the Urfahranermarkt: Families raise the alarm!

Price shock on the Urfahranermarkt: Families raise the alarm!

Urfahr, Österreich - The Urfahranermarkt opens on Saturday, April 29, with great expectations of over half a million visitors. The preparations are in full swing because around 278 stalls, rides and marqueezes are set up on a total area of 60,000 square meters. But despite the beautiful weather last weekend, the market was only able to record small number of visitors. This could be related to the consistently high prices for rides and dishes, which, according to a survey in social networks, are perceived by many parents as unaffordable. A visit is increasingly luxury for some families, as expenses of over 100 euros can be reached quickly. OE24 reports that the prices for rides are between 4 and 10 euros per trip, while the food, such as two sausages and a lemonade Euro costs.

The prices on the market have increased. Half of a beer costs 6.40 euros, half a liter of lemonade 5.50 euros, and Schnitzel or grillhendl with fries cost 17.20 euros. This price development could continue to have a negative impact on the number of visitors, especially since the guests' comments reflect that many find a visit too expensive. The fear that a new visitor record will move far away, according to OE24 .

In addition, the festival program will also include traditional fireworks on May 5 and a charity concert for the victims of the Ukraine War on May 3. Free access to 57 showmen shops for the first few hours after the opening could also create incentives, but the high price structure remains a big topic among visitors.

The economic overall situation, which also affects folk festivals in Germany, shows similar trends. According to a study on the economic importance of folk festivals, the expenditure per visit increased to an average of EUR 32.80, which corresponds to an increase of 17 %. These price increases are due, among other things, to significant increases in operating costs, which could hardly be passed on to the guests. The monetarization effects of such festivals to the local economies are also remarkable, with an estimated 3.34 billion euros for the local economy in Germany. In addition, an increasing number of visitors uses sustainable means of transport, which increases the awareness of ecological questions in the industry.

Overall, the Urfahranermarkt faces a major challenge: While high number of visitors and a wide range of offers are sought, the pricing ensures that many families may have to stay away. The coming days will show how the situation develops and whether the enormous importance of the market for the region can continue to be maintained.