26 November, 2015

Vienna remains a destination for all seasons, but a unique winter wonderland: Vienna Tourism Board

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tourists from the region are continuing to flock to Vienna, with 2015 has already proven to be another record-breaking year for arrivals and overnights in Vienna.

From January to October, overnights from the UAE have soared 48.2% compared to 2014, recording 110,663 so far. Arrivals have also seen a similar extensive growth, with 50,891 from the UAE, up by 44.8% when compared with the previous year. Saudi Arabia also recorded a 20.4% growth in overnights, and arrivals increased by 19.4%.

As a destination, Vienna has a high international appeal, with more than 80% of visitors coming from outside Austrias borders. Of the 13.5 million overnight stays Vienna reported in 2014, around 20% were accounted for by German guests and 18% by Austrians. The next largest incoming markets were the USA, Italy and Russia. Guests from the GCC made up for approximately 295,000 overnight stays in 2014.

Vienna - A Winter Wonderland

Vienna sees most visitors from the region in summer, but the Vienna Tourist Board also registered a significant growth of visitors from the GCC in the winter months. While tourists in summer enjoy the numerous street cafs and walks in the more than 850 green parks of the city, winter invites with shopping experiences in international designer brand stores in the UNESCO heritage protected city centre, cosy coffeehouses and pastry shops a centerpiece of Viennese culture - or a stroll over the romantically illuminated season markets, said Vienna Tourism Boards Verena Hable at an exclusive event at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC.

The capitals hundreds of magical festive markets are the perfect place to get in the mood for the festive season, and most run until just after Christmas. With such a wide variety of markets to choose from, there is something for everyone. Traditionalists make a beeline for the large markets in the city centre, such as the one on Rathausplatz set against the imposing backdrop of City Hall. The season markets at Sch?nbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace have a distinctly imperial feel. For anyone looking for beautiful handcrafted artworks, the Arts & Crafts Market on Karlsplatz, Spittelberg and Am Hof are the places to go. The season market at MuseumsQuartier is a magnet for fans of designer goods, while foodies will be in their element on Mahlerstrasse and in the courtyard of specialist tea store Haas & Haas.

For New Years celebrations, the New Years market in front of Sch?nbrunn Palace and the New Years Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz are perfect for picking up high-quality handicrafts, delicious snacks and good luck charms for the turn of the year. Viennas historic old town is transformed into a giant party venue on the last day of the year.

The New Years Eve Trail winds its way from City Hall Square through the narrow streets of the Old Town, with a host of concerts and shows. The Hofburg New Years Eve Ball is a glittering night to remember in an imperial setting featuring beautiful melodies and performances by top stars from the world of ballet and opera. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra New Years Concert in the Golden Hall at the Musikverein is an unmissable part of the New Years experience with a dress rehearsal, New Years Eve Concert and New Years Day Concert, the concert is watched by around 50 million people from all corners of the earth each year.

The Danube provides another popular setting for people to take in the bright lights of the city. A New Years cruise aboard one of the DDSG Blue Danube liners includes an elegant dinner and entertaining live music. Alternatively people head to one of the capitals landmark hills the Kahlenberg, Leopoldsberg or Cobenzl which provide the best view of all the fireworks in the city as the New Year rolls in.

The citys biggest ice-skating rink the Vienna City Hall delivers the perfect backdrop for an idyllic winter dream into the new year. From 21 January to 6 March 2016, City Hall Square will transform into a giant ice rink and becomes a paradise for skating fans of every age.

Getting to Vienna

At present, 172 destinations are connected with direct flights operated by 70 airlines among them Gulf carriers Emirates (14 times per week), Etihad Airways/ NIKI and Qatar (both 7 times per week). Royal Jordanian operates flights to Vienna 5 times per week, Turkish Airlines four flights per day from Istanbul Ataturk airport.

-Ends-

About the Vienna Tourist Board
Founded in 1955, the Vienna Tourist Board is the citys official PR and marketing agency for this sector of the economy. It is financed by the hotel trade, and by the citys taxpayers. The Vienna Tourist Boards brief includes representing the interests of the city and province of Vienna in all matters relating to tourism, instituting measures to increase the volume of incoming tourist traffic, especially advertising, supporting any tourism measures instigated by the municipality, helping to create a modern infrastructure for the tourist industry, and promoting an understanding amongst members of the general public for the industry and its economic significance.

The Vienna Tourist Board is headed by a president, a director of tourism, and a supervisory board. Renate Brauner, Vice-Mayor of Vienna and Councillor of Finance and Economic Affairs, has been President of the Vienna Tourist Board since 23 March 2007, and Norbert Kettner has been managing director (director of tourism) since September 2007.

The Vienna Tourist Board actively promotes Vienna in 20 source markets.

Media inquiries Online & Social Media Channels
Vienna Tourist Board www.vienna.info
Mrs. Verena Hable twitter.com/ViennaInfoB2B
Media Relations Manager facebook.com/ViennaTouristBoard
Phone: +43 1 211 14-363 instagram.com/viennatouristboard #welovevienna
E-Mail: verena.hable@vienna.info youtube.com/Vienna

Press Release 2015