Vienna International Tourism Industry News

Read the latest headlines about developments in the tourism industry in Vienna and Austria

CEOs Ranked for 2025: ORF Chief Weißmann Reigns Over Austria's Business Elite

Those who feature in Austria's media landscape often determine the country's discourse. The current CEO ranking by PR service provider APA-Comm for the period from October 2024 to September 2025 shows that a historic music event and shifts in sporting power have shaken up the ranking of the most prominent company bosses. While an old acquaintance triumphs at the top, the proportion of women in executive positions is struggling with a severe setback.

Yesterday

A Glittering Anniversary in ¾ Time: the 2026 New Year's Concert Focuses on Fashion and Modernity

When the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes in the New Year on January 1, 2026, millions of viewers worldwide can expect not only musical perfection but also a visual highlight in a class of its own. Twenty years after their first joint coup, star choreographer John Neumeier and Akris fashion designer Albert Kriemler are returning for the ballet interludes. A particularly fashion-conscious maestro will also be making his debut at the podium.

Yesterday

Historic Kahlenberg Estate with 3,000 m² Garden and Views of Vienna

This unique historic villa on Kahlenberg combines proximity to the city with the tranquility of the countryside. With around 460 m² of living space, it offers 3–4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, several salons, an open-plan kitchen, terraces, and a magnificent garden—ideal for lovers of history and modern luxury.

December 15, 2025 · Sponsored Content

Vienna is Europe's Christmas Champion: Accor Index Names City Hall Square the Most Beautiful Christmas Market of 2025

The scent of punch, roasted almonds, and historic surroundings has decided the outcome: in the latest Christmas Market Index 2025 published by hotel company Accor, the Austrian capital Vienna wins the race for the title of Europe's most beautiful Christmas market. With an impressive overall score of 94 out of 100, Vienna takes the top spot, relegating Strasbourg and Brussels to second and third place, respectively.

December 8, 2025

Međimurska Popevka Conquers Vienna: Historic Concert in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein

A touch of Croatian tradition and deeply felt emotions filled the venerable Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, one of the world's most prestigious concert halls. The traditional vocal form of Međimurska popevka celebrated its triumphant debut under the title “A Tribute to Međimurska Popevka” (Počast međimurskoj popevki), marking a cultural milestone for the Međimurje region and Croatia as a whole.

November 18, 2025

Book Vienna 2025: Largest Exhibition Ever Focuses on Expansion, Internationality, and Debate

Buch Wien 25, from November 12 to 16, announces the largest edition in its history. Austria's largest book event is expanding to two exhibition halls at the Vienna Exhibition Center and extending its program to over 500 stage events with around 660 participants. The focus will be on a strong international orientation and in-depth debates on socially relevant topics such as AI, feminism, and religion.

November 11, 2025

Austrian Foreign Minister in Egypt for Peace Diplomacy

The Egyptian capital was the setting for a unique event that linked the past and the future. While the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza celebrated the country's rich history, Cairo was also at the center of intense diplomatic efforts to achieve stability and peace in the Middle East.

November 5, 2025

Luxury Hotel Mandarin Oriental Opened in Vienna

The Austrian capital has seen growth in the luxury hotel sector. The first hotel in Austria belonging to the renowned Mandarin Oriental hotel group recently opened in the inner city. Located at Riemergasse 7 near Wollzeile, the hotel invites guests and locals alike to explore Vienna's art and culture in a central location.

October 30, 2025

Park Hyatt Vienna: Spanish Deal Fails, “Super Deal” with New Bidders Ahead?

Negotiations regarding the sale of the five-star Park Hyatt am Hof hotel in Vienna have broken down for the time being. A deal with the Spanish company Medcap Real Estate, which was rumored in September, failed due to the reported purchase price of €330 to €335 million.

October 29, 2025

Stocker and Weißmann in Favor of Israel's Participation in the Song Contest

The question of Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026 in Vienna continues to cause international controversy and political debate. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and ORF Director General Roland Weißmann have now spoken out clearly and unequivocally in favor of Israel's participation, citing Austria's historical responsibility.

October 29, 2025

The Freud Case: New Exhibition Sheds Light on Nazi Injustice and the Fate of the Family

A new special exhibition at the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna, “The Freud Case: Documents of Injustice,” will shed light on the harrowing history of the family of the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, after the Nazis seized power in 1938, starting on October 24.

October 22, 2025

Croatian Businesses Showcase Their Activities at Schönbrunn Palace

The Croatian Economy Day took place in the imperial setting of the Gloriette in Schönbrunn Palace Park. Over 200 guests took the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with around 40 Croatian companies. The event, organized by the representative office of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) in Vienna, once again underscored the close and growing economic partnership between Austria and Croatia.

October 6, 2025

Scandal or Stroke of Genius? Herheim's “Fledermaus” Divides Opinions on Strauss Anniversary

With the premiere of Johann Strauss' operetta “Die Fledermaus” at the Musiktheater an der Wien, the 200th anniversary of the Waltz King reached a highly controversial climax. Artistic director and director Stefan Herheim presented a “ludicrous” and “fast-paced” new production that playfully exaggerates and politically charges the original, which premiered there in 1874.

October 5, 2025

Vienna's Belvedere: A Impressionist Collection of French Artists on Tour

One of the most important private collections of French Impressionism is now on display in Austria for the first time, following exhibitions in Lausanne and Cologne. From Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Lower Belvedere will present over 60 selected masterpieces from the Swiss Langmatt Museum, the former villa of industrialist couple Jenny and Sidney Brown. The exhibition, entitled “Cézanne, Monet, Renoir – French Impressionism from the Langmatt Museum,” offers a unique insight into the couple's passion for collecting.

September 24, 2025 · Sponsored Content

Prices in Vienna for Public Transport, Parking, and Local Taxes Are Going Up

The city of Vienna has announced far-reaching price increases for public transport, parking fees, and the city tax. These measures, which will come into effect on December 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, respectively, are intended to help consolidate the city's budget.

September 2, 2025

Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Vienna Prepares, Economy Benefits

The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026 promises to be not only a musical highlight but also a powerful economic boost for the Austrian capital. According to a recent study by the economic research institute ECO Austria, demand is expected to increase by 57 million euros.

August 21, 2025

EU Approves 1.6 Billion Euros for Comprehensive Reforms in Austria

The European Commission today approved Austria's second payment request for €1.6 billion from the NextGenerationEU recovery plan. In doing so, the Commission confirms that Austria has successfully met the ambitious 67 milestones and targets for the second and third installments.

July 30, 2025

Prix Ars Electronica 2025: Robotics and AI in the Spotlight of Media Art

The renowned Prix Ars Electronica has announced its winning projects for 2025, with robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) playing a particularly prominent role. From nearly 4,000 submissions from 98 countries, four Golden Nicas and numerous other awards were presented, underscoring the diversity and innovative power of the media art scene worldwide.

July 7, 2025

Vienna: Still Among the World's Leading Conference Cities

Vienna consolidates its position as a leading global conference destination: after taking first place in the prestigious ranking of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) in May, the city has now achieved second place worldwide for the third time in a row in the latest congress ranking of the Union of International Associations (UIA) for 2024.

July 4, 2025

Vienna Public Transport Company Opts for Air Conditioning and Increased Comfort for Passengers

Wiener Linien has recorded a record number of air-conditioned vehicles in its public transport network. According to the company, three out of four journeys on buses, subways, and trams are already air-conditioned. This is intended to make travel more comfortable for passengers, even on hot days.

July 4, 2025

Vienna Music Theater Days 2025: Social Upheavals on Stage

The Vienna Music Theater Days will once again serve as a platform for innovative and contemporary music theater this year. From September 17 to 27, 2025, the festival will focus on the social upheavals and fractures of our time, inviting the audience to question established structures.

June 16, 2025

Summer Night Concert at Schönbrunn: Premieres, Commemorations, and a Musical Journey

The idyllic Schönbrunn Palace will be the venue for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's annual Summer Night Concert this evening. Under a bright blue sky and against the majestic backdrop of the illuminated palace, thousands of music lovers gathered to enjoy an evening full of musical highlights. This year's concert featured numerous premieres, a touching minute of silence, and a musical journey across Europe.

June 13, 2025

Monaco’s Club Allemand International Uncovers Treasure in Vienna's Imperial Archives

What began as the annual cultural excursion for Monaco's Club Allemand International (International German Club) transformed into a historical discovery of significant proportions. During their recent trip to Vienna, members of the club unearthed a remarkable historical document about the Principality of Monaco, hidden for centuries within the imperial archives of the Hofburg Palace.

June 12, 2025

The MQ Summer Stage 2025 Kicks Off with Art, Music and Social Reflection

The MQ Summer Stage started its new season with a powerful mix of performance, music, and public art. The main courtyard of Vienna's MuseumsQuartier will once again be transformed into a stage for a diverse, freely accessible cultural program until the end of September - a venue that brings art, society, and the public together in a special way.

May 21, 2025

Thai Anantara Celebrates Debut in Austria with New Luxury Resort in Vienna

With the reopening of the Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna, the Thai hotel group Anantara Hotels & Resorts opened its first hotel in Austria in May 2025. The historic building on Schottenring, originally designed by architect Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World Exhibition, has been extensively renovated over the past 18 months and repositioned as an urban luxury resort.

May 20, 2025

Peter Edelmann Takes Over the Directorship of Klosterneuburg Opera with Puccini's “Tosca” as a Prelude

The renowned opera festival “operklosterneuburg” is entering a new era in 2025 with a breath of fresh air and great artistic ambition: the internationally renowned baritone and experienced opera director Peter Edelmann has been introduced as artistic director. His first season gets off to a spectacular start, with a new production of Giacomo Puccini's opera classic “Tosca”, which premieres on July 5, 2025, in the venerable imperial court of the Augustinian canons' monastery.

April 24, 2025 · Sponsored Content

Vienna Plans Traffic-Restricted Inner City with Camera-Based Access Control

After years of discussion, the traffic restriction measures in Vienna's inner city are about to be implemented. A planned amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) is to create the legal framework for automated camera access management. This amendment is being submitted to the government by Transport Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) and is due to come into force on January 1, 2026.

April 6, 2025

China's Ambassador Visits the Austrian Theatres-Holding in Vienna

The recent visit of Chinese Ambassador Qi Mei to the Bundestheater-Holding underlines the increasing importance of cultural exchange between Austria and China. The focus is on joint theater projects, artist exchanges, and the strengthening of bilateral relations in the performing arts.

April 2, 2025

Beware of Online Fraud when Buying Vignettes

Beware when buying highway vignettes online: Fraudsters shamelessly exploit the search for cheap offers. Drivers are increasingly falling for fraudulent websites when purchasing vignettes, sometimes losing huge sums of money in the process. ASFINAG is now issuing another urgent warning about fake stores and giving important tips on how to protect yourself from such scams.

March 26, 2025

Expressionism in a New Light: Schiele Meets Nosferatu at the Heidi Horten Collection

With the exhibition “Experiment Expressionism - Schiele meets Nosferatu”, the Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna is opening an impressive show that brings painting and film art into a fascinating dialog.

March 23, 2025

Westbahn Expands: New high-speed Connection on the Southern Line From 2026

Westbahn is taking the next big step: From March 1, 2026, the private railroad company will offer five daily train connections between Vienna and Villach via the newly constructed Koralm Railway. With modern high-speed trains and a fast direct connection, Westbahn represents a serious alternative to ÖBB - especially for commuters and business travelers.

March 13, 2025

Dorothy Khadem-Missagh: A Milestone for Women in the Conducting World

The Vienna Musikverein experienced a special event: the Lower Austrian pianist and conductor Dorothy Khadem-Missagh made her debut as a conductor in this renowned concert hall on the occasion of International Women's Day. Conducting the Beethoven Spring Festival Orchestra, which she founded, she presented a program that paid tribute to strong women in music history.

March 9, 2025

Luxury Villa Becomes Wellness Hotel: Benko Family Leaves Estate in Igls

Following the insolvency of Signa and the imprisonment of company founder René Benko, his family is leaving the luxury villa in Igls. The property is to be converted into a wellness hotel. Meanwhile, a court ruling makes new headlines in the Benko case.

March 9, 2025

WIKAM 2025: A Celebration of Art in the Heart of Vienna

The Vienna International Art and Antiques Fair (WIKAM) will again open its doors at the historic Palais Ferstel from March 8 to 16, 2025. As one of Austria's most renowned art fairs, it offers art lovers and collectors an exquisite selection of works ranging from classical to modern art.

March 6, 2025 · Sponsored Content

New General Manager at Park Hyatt Vienna: Bastian Baumann Takes Over the Luxury Hotel

The renowned Park Hyatt Vienna will have a new General Manager from the beginning of 2025: Styrian-born Bastian Baumann will take over the management of the luxury hotel, bringing with him an impressive international career. After several positions in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, he is now returning to Austria to lead the Hotel am Hof into the future with fresh ideas and a clear focus on the highest quality of service.

March 3, 2025

Austria Welcomes the World: FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2025 Kick Off in Saalbach

Saalbach-Hinterglemm has once again become the epicenter of the alpine skiing world as the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2025 officially begin. With athletes, fans, and officials from across the globe gathering in the Austrian Alps, the event promises thrilling races, unforgettable moments, and a celebration of winter sports excellence.

February 4, 2025

Racetrack Magna Racino: A New Owner and an Uncertain Future

The Magna Racino in Ebreichsdorf (Baden district) has once again changed ownership. As confirmed by the town's mayor, Wolfgang Kocevar (SPÖ) the horse racing track now belongs to Irish billionaire Luke Comer. Comer purchased the property from the Lürßen Group, which had owned it since 2020. While the purchase price and the new owner's plans remain undisclosed, the public and local authorities are eagerly awaiting further developments in the coming months.

January 16, 2025

Greens Launch Petition for the Preservation of the Climate Ticket

The Greens have today launched a petition to preserve the climate ticket in its current form. The background to this is speculation that a possible FPÖ-ÖVP coalition is planning to cancel or restrict the annual ticket for Austria's public transport system.

January 15, 2025

Vienna's Club Scene Between Crisis and Innovation: Saving the Capital's Nightlife from Dying Clubs

Vienna's club scene is coming under increasing pressure: rising prices, new nightlife habits, and the densification of urban space are creating an uncertain future. At the same time, local players are focusing on creative approaches to preserve the diversity of nightlife culture and offer clubs a future. A detailed look at the current challenges and planned measures shows how fragile and at the same time adaptable Vienna's nightlife is.

January 7, 2025

Westbahn Expands Offer: New Overnight Connection from Vienna to Salzburg

With the timetable change on December 15, 2024, the Westbahn is introducing a significant innovation: a daily night connection from Vienna to Salzburg. This additional late-night connection is aimed in particular at commuters, night owls, and travelers who want to travel comfortably from Vienna to the West even late at night.

December 16, 2024

Jewish Museum Vienna Kicks Off Anniversary Year with Gala in New York

A special gala dinner was held in the elegant rooms of Christie's New York to mark the start of the 130th anniversary year of the Jewish Museum Vienna. This exclusive event brought together important personalities from the worlds of culture, business, and diplomacy and paid tribute to the historical significance of the world's first Jewish museum, which opened in Vienna in 1895.

December 3, 2024

Cultural Bridge between Austria and Japan: Schönbrunn Palace and Himeji Castle Enter Into Partnership

Two of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and Himeji Castle in Japan signed a partnership agreement. This cooperation aims to preserve cultural treasures, exchange knowledge, and promote sustainable tourism and cultural education. The signing ceremony took place in the magnificent White and Gold Rooms of Schönbrunn Palace and was attended by high-ranking representatives from both countries.

December 2, 2024

Viennese Sausage Stand Becomes UNESCO Cultural Heritage: A Tribute to the Viennese Way of Life

The Viennese sausage stand culture has been officially added to UNESCO's national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. With this recognition, the sausage stand joins the prestigious list of Austrian traditions and is now on par with Vienna's coffee house and wine tavern culture. The decision underlines the cultural and social significance of this institution, which goes far beyond its culinary role.

November 27, 2024

ÖBB Increases Ticket Prices by 4.9 Percent

ÖBB announced that prices for standard tickets will increase by an average of 4.9 percent from December 15, 2024, in parallel with the winter timetable. This is the first price increase in 18 months. However, numerous tickets, including the popular Sparschiene tickets and seat reservations, will remain unaffected by the price adjustment.

October 17, 2024

Vienna: The Best City Destination in Europe for Americans

Vienna has once again proven that it is undisputed as a world-class travel destination. Readers of the renowned luxury and lifestyle magazine “Condé Nast Traveler” voted the Austrian capital the best European travel destination in this year's “Readers' Choice Awards” 2024.

October 5, 2024

Wien Museum Sheds “New Light” on the City's Islamic Heritage

In a new summer academy entitled “Islamic Heritage in Vienna”, the Wien Museum is focusing on the city's often overlooked but significant Islamic heritage.

August 22, 2024

Vienna Airport Reports Strong Growth in the First Half of 2024

Flughafen Wien AG, the operator of the Vienna International Airport, presented impressive results for the first half of 2024. The company recorded significant growth in all key areas, including passenger numbers, revenue, and profit, thus continuing its successful growth course.

August 20, 2024

Alpbach: Between Tradition and the Future - the European Forum Alpbach 2024

The European Forum Alpbach (EFA) celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2024. It once again attracted over 4,000 participants to the small Tyrolean mountain village, which became the center of European discourse for two weeks. Under the general theme of “Moment of Truth”, this year's forum focused on the groundbreaking decisions that Europe must make in the face of multiple crises, from climate catastrophes to political tensions.

August 18, 2024

Austria Investing in the Future: Strengthening STEM Education and Massive Research Funding

Austria is setting standards in the education and research landscape to meet the challenges of the future. With two far-reaching initiatives, the government aims to combat the shortage of skilled workers in the STEM fields (mathematics, IT, natural sciences, and technology) as well as massively promote research and innovation in the country. These measures are intended not only to solve short-term problems but also to secure and strengthen Austria as a business location in the long term.

August 13, 2024

Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna Canceled Due to Suspected Terrorism - What Fans Need to Know Now

The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna has left many fans disappointed and perplexed. After two suspected terrorists were arrested who had possibly planned an attack on the upcoming concerts, the organizer Barracuda Music decided to cancel the events. Fans are now wondering what costs will be reimbursed and how to proceed.

August 8, 2024