Austria is heading into what looks like a record winter tourism season, at least measured by arrivals. The national tourism board, Österreich Werbung, expects 21.7 million guests for the winter season, a figure that would set a new benchmark. Behind the scenes the mood among operators is far less cheerful. Businesses report that turning a profit has become harder with each passing year, even as visitor numbers keep climbing. One reason is that travelers themselves have grown harder to read, with booking habits that shift late and complicate planning. Cost pressures are piling up as well, from energy bills to staff wages. All of this means a record influx of visitors no longer translates automatically into a profitable season. According to the report, filling beds is proving easier than making those beds profitable.