VIENNA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Austria's tourism sector set a new record this year, with 116 million overnight stays from January to August, up 0.3 percent year on year, Statistics Austria reported Friday.

Foreign visitors drove the growth, accounting for 87 million nights, while domestic stays totaled about 29 million, it said.

In August, the peak summer month, overnight stays topped 21 million, a 0.7 percent rise. "Tourism in Austria continues to boom," said Statistics Austria Director General Manuela Lenk, noting that foreign guests made up roughly three quarters of all stays. ■