Vienna International Travel Guide

Vienna as a Business Location - Areas of Strength

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 22, 2015

10 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Vienna

In this post you'll find the top 10 reasons why your company or institution should consider investing in Vienna/Austria. In fact, we'll share the international studies which confirm the numbers and facts including its closest competitors. We look at the quality of living, the smart cities index, the prosperity, international congresses and conventions, the most reputable cities, the innovation cities index, online cities, business friendliness and other factors that influence the decision making.

January 20, 2015

Vienna Among Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2015

One of the world’s best known publishers of independent travel and language guides, Lonely Planet, has ranked Vienna as one of the top 10 cities “not to be missed” by travellers in 2015. According to Lonely Planet, there is no better time to visit Austria than next year during the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which takes place in Vienna. The list also includes destinations like Washington, Milan, Chennai or Toronto.

October 24, 2014

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The Winner is Vienna

"As an internationally-minded city, Vienna is the best venue for this event, and will prove its cosmopolitan nature to the international public. Most importantly, we want the Song Contest on 23 May 2015 to be a cause for celebration for everyone in Vienna - locals and guests alike." says Mayor Michael Häupl.

August 6, 2014

Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City

The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).

July 25, 2014

Hilton Vienna Plaza Finishes First Stage of €20 Million Re-design

Hilton Vienna Plaza is currently undergoing extensive renovation as part of a €20 million modernisation that will see the entire hotel transformed. The first stage of the re-design is set for tomorrow, June 6, 2014, followed by the full re-opening in September 2014.

June 5, 2014

Croatia: Adris Grupa to Bid for Insurer Croatia Osiguranje

The Croatian financial regulator HANFA has approved Adris Grupa, the largest tobacco company on the Balkans, placing its bid to take over insurance company Croatia Osiguranje.

May 12, 2014

Austria: Unemployment Rate Rises Once Again

Once again the unemployment rate in Austria saw a significant rise. More than 440,000 persons were registered jobsless in February.

March 3, 2014

Wifo: Austrian Economic Growth Still Sluggish

Seasonally adjusted and corrected for working day effects, GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter. The upturn becomes evident only in a very moderate pace.

December 9, 2013

Stable Outlook for Recovery of Austrian Economy

The outlook for economic improvement has stabilized. Both Wifo’s economy test and Wifo’s early indicator point to an upward trend.

November 8, 2013

Croatia: Hypo Group Losing Last Industrial Participation

Croatian chemical company Dioki is facing bankruptcy which is why Hypo Group is losing one of the last industrial participations in the country.

October 14, 2013

IMF: „Banks and Companies in a Vicious Circle“

Not only Greece, Spain or Portugal are struggling with a financially stricken banking sector. In Southeastern Europe, the situation is quite similar.

October 11, 2013

Modest Increase in Croatian Purchase Power

Croatian per capita consumer spending is forecast to increase by a modest 18% to 2017.

October 1, 2013

Romania: West Region to Catch Up Economically

Romania's West Region aims to catch up with its more developed peers in the European Union.

September 9, 2013

Croatia: Record Year in Tourism

Croatia will have a record year in tourism says Minister.

September 9, 2013

Serbia: UK Enterprises Likely to Invest in Serbia

70 British companies are interested in investing in Serbia's economy.

September 6, 2013

Turkey Wants to Become 9th Largest Economy by 2050

Turkey is hoping to become the ninth largest economy worldwide by the year 2050. Growth rates will be around 5.2 percent in the years from 2012 to 2017.

August 30, 2013

Wifo: Economic Growth with Brakes On

Economic upswing will take time. Considering the individual branches an uneven picture emerges.

August 9, 2013

Mitterlehner: Romania Offers New Chances for Austrian Economy

Austrian Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner met his Romanian counterpart Varujan Vosganian in Vienna.

June 25, 2013

Significant Trade Surplus in 2012 Reflects Austria's Competitive Strength

Despite the crisis, Austria managed to achieve a significant trade surplus in services in 2012. At the same time it was possible to eliminate Austria's foreign debt in full.

June 4, 2013

Bosnia, Serbia and Turkey to Sign Economic and Trade Agreement

Ministers for trade and economy from Ankara, Belgrade and Sarajevo agreed to improve economic relations in an effort to enhance shared trade.

May 15, 2013

Positive Development in Austrian Winter Tourism

Current tourism winter season 2012/13: overnights rise by 5.3%

April 25, 2013

Bulgaria: Sofia As Most Affordable Tourist Destination

Huffington Post has nominated Bulgarian capital Sofia to be the most affordable tourist destination in Europe.

April 24, 2013

Global Demand for Tourism Knowhow From Austria

Tourism in Austria is a unique success story. Companies, cities and municipalities from all over the world are profiting from the knowhow of Austria’s tourism experts.

April 23, 2013

Croatia: Greece As A Threat To 2013 Tourism

Last year Croatian tourism proceeds increased 3.2 % on a year-on-year comparision. However, with Greek tourism expected to rebound to pre-crisis standards, the country fears to be left behind in the competition.

April 22, 2013

"Croatia Will Not Benefit From Joining The EU"

Croatia will join the European Union as the 28th member state in a few months. Economists criticize the country for not carrying out enough reforms and only focusing on tourism.

March 22, 2013

Austrian Tourism Industry Performs Well

First half of tourism winter season 2012/13: 2.1% rise in overnights due to non-resident visitors.

February 26, 2013

Austria: Economic Sentiment on the Rise

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) underlines that the economic slowdown comes to a standstill.

February 8, 2013

Austrian Tourism Records New All-Time-High

Tourism in 2012: Almost 131 million overnights mark new all-time-high in number of overnights.

January 25, 2013

Significant Upward Trend in Austrian Tourism Sector

Positive start in winter season 2012/13: 4.15 million overnights in November. The number of guests from Italy and Russia is growing remarkably.

January 4, 2013

WIFO: South Europe Needs New Industrial Policy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) stresses that Spain, Greece and Portugal need new growth measures instead of austerity cuts.

December 15, 2012

Summer season 2012: Holidaying in Austria Continues to be Very Popular

Over 19 million guests in the 2012 summer season did not only lead to a new record, but also to 65.6 million overnights.

December 6, 2012

Hungary: Tourism Industry Booms

In October, public accommodation establishments saw a 9.1% rise in arrivals.

December 5, 2012

Austria: Services and Tourism Contribute to Increase in Trade Surplus

Austria's trade surplus doubled in the first half of the year to € 3.5bn, despite a fall in goods traffic.

November 13, 2012

Congresses: Vienna Leads the Ranking

Regarding the number of congresses, Vienna still ranks first as event location. The outlook is promising.

September 24, 2012

New Record in Croatian Tourism Sector

In the first eight months of 2012, about 10 million tourists came to Croatia. This is a new record level.

September 15, 2012

Austrian Tourism Has Good Prospects

Start of summer season 2012: 16.8% more overnights and 14.4% more guests in May 2012.

June 25, 2012

Austrian Business Location: Further Slump in Competitiveness

According to the Swiss Management Institute IMD, Austria only ranks 21th among 59 analyzed countries. The Austrian tax policy is the absolute weak point.

May 31, 2012

Erste Group: Poland and Ukraine Benefit from Euro 2012

EURO 2012 investments helped to boost investments in both countries. € 30.2bn invested whereof approx. 90% spent on infrastructure in Poland & Ukraine.

May 26, 2012

New Records for Austrian Tourism

Winter season 2011/12: with 64.3 million overnights still at a high level; new record of 16.4 million arrivals.

May 24, 2012

Great Demand for Austrian Tourism Knowledge in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian tourism industry pushes for an improvement in quality. Austrian AWO brings together Austrian suppliers and potential business partners in Bulgaria.

May 21, 2012

Massive Gap in Purchasing Power

Purchasing Power Parities 2012: Higher travel costs for overseas destinations; Austrians' purchasing power 40–70% above the level in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary.

May 21, 2012

Congresses: Vienna Ranks First

Vienna is still number one worldwide in cities hosting international congresses. The U.S. takes first in the country category.

May 18, 2012

Austrian Labor Market: Most Jobs in SME

The quantitatively most important employer in Austria are still small and medium sized enterprises. Above all, handicraft enterprises are a major pillar for the domestic labor market.

May 12, 2012

Austria Achieved Positive Current Account in 2011

Last year, Austria´s current account reached a surplus of 1.9% of the GDP.

May 4, 2012

Small Growth in Austrian Winter Season

The current tourism winter season 2011/12 recorded a rise in overnights by 2.1%.

April 26, 2012

Moderate Increase in Vienna-held Congresses

3,151 congresses were held in Vienna in 2011. This is an increase by 7.0%.

March 27, 2012

Moderate Growth in Tourism Sector

Current Austrian tourism winter season 2011/12: +4.6% more overnights due to rise in February (+11.7%).

March 26, 2012

Moderate Rise in Austrian Bilateral Trade with Italy

In 2011, Austrian exports to Italy went up by 8.6% to € 9.3bn. After Germany, Italy is Austria´s second largest trade partner.

March 21, 2012

Boom in Viennese Tourism

In January 2012, the Austrian capital registered an increase of 11.5% in tourists. 675,000 guest nights were recorded.

February 20, 2012