Elisabeth Koestinger

Austria and the Indecision for the Gas Embargo

The war in Ukraine has been raging for two months. To stop Russia, a great many countries have imposed tough sanctions on Russia. Many European countries and the U.S.A. want to impose a gas embargo on Russia. Austria is still very cautious about this step.

May 3, 2022

Energy Supply: Liquefied Natural Gas from Qatar, Instead of Pipeline Gas from Russia

Chancellor Nehammer visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar with the intention of lessening Austria's dependency on Russian natural gas for energy. Read about the chancellor's visit and how liquefied natural gas could help solve this issue.

March 11, 2022

Delta Variant on the Rise in Austria: Tightening of Coronavirus Measures Again

The rapid spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus in Austria is the reason for significant tightening of access to night catering and events and changes to the green passport. The latest changes are as follows.

July 15, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Will the Rules Be for the New Normal as of May 19?

Today, the new rules for the planned opening from May 19 were presented. The curfew restriction will be dropped. There will be far-reaching relaxations in the areas of catering, hotels, closed sports venues, cultural facilities and recreational businesses. These will be accompanied by security measures such as access tests, hygiene and distance measures, capacity restrictions and mandatory registration of guests.

May 10, 2021

Extension of Re-Employment Promise in Austria Gives Planning Security

In order to alleviate the hard-hit tourism industry, Austria's Labor Minister Martin Kocher and Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger have announced to further extend the re-employment promise until the end of official closures. This gives the respective businesses more planning security, since they will not have to worry about their well-trained employees.

March 31, 2021

Deadline for Austrian "Reemployment Promise" Gets Extended

To further support the hard hit Austrian economy, the Minister of Labor and Minister of Tourism have decided to extend the deadline for the so-called "reemployment promise". This allows employers to lay off their employees and agreeing to re-hire them, once the sector is allowed to open up again. The affected employees receives unemployment benefits without any placement activities by the Austrian Arbeitsmarktservice.

February 15, 2021

Tourism Conference: Clear Regulations and Low Infection Rates Are Prerequisites

Tourism in Austria will be possible with clear regulations and low infection rates, according to Tourism Minister Köstinger. The Federal Minister met with representatives of the federal states to discuss how and in which form winter tourism will be possible this year.

September 29, 2020

Warning of Economic Consequences Due to Rising Infection Rates

Austria's Minister for Tourism Köstinger and Minister for Economic Affairs Schramböck emphasize the importance of low Covid-19 infection numbers for the tourism and trade sector. They fear that a rise in numbers endangers Austria's important autumn and Christmas business.

September 15, 2020

EU Puts a Hold on Austria's Fixed Cost Subsidies

The European Commission has questioned Austria's newly introduced fixed cost subsidy to the surprise of many Austrian politicians and experts. Companies in the sectors tourism and export were predominantly planned to be subsidized.

September 9, 2020

Free COVID-19 Tests for Employees of the Gastronomy Sector

Tourism Minister Köstinger announced that employees from gastronomy businesses, youth hotels and camping sites can be freely tested for the Coronavirus since 1 September.

September 2, 2020

Austria on the Advance of Early COVID-19 Detection in Sewage

In Austria a research group is analysing sewage in order to find genetic material from the Coronavirus. The data can be used for a regional early warning system and the identification of new clusters.

August 20, 2020

Can Glyphosate Now Be Banned or Not?

With the issue of the notification statement from the European Commission, the discussion about the Glyphosate ban is starting again. According to the Agricultural Ministry it is clear that the ban is not legally compliant. However, for GLOBAL2000 a ban is still possible.

August 19, 2020

A New Start for Tourism in Austria: Opening of Accommodation Facilities with up to 65,000 Corona Tests per Week

Austria now wants to present itself as a particularly safe travel destination and is therefore planning up to 65,000 corona tests per week for tourism businesses from the beginning of July. The aim is to give foreign guests a feeling of security. The Austrian National Tourist Office is also preparing intensive advertising campaigns and will have a budget of 40 million euros for this purpose.

May 26, 2020

More Women than Men - Who Forms the New Austrian Government?

Austrian President Van der Bellen has praised the new Federal Government in the Presidency Chancellery. In addition to Federal Chancellor Kurz and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, the cabinet consists of 13 ministers and one state secretary. Among the 17 government members are 9 women and 8 men. Find out below who the new government members are.

January 7, 2020

National Council: Against Nuclear Power and Nuclear Waste Repositories at Austria's Borders

The Austrian National Council unanimously expressed its opposition both to nuclear waste disposal at Austria's borders and to the commissioning of the Mochovce 3 reactor, as well as to the obligations under the Nagoya Protocol on Biological Diversity.

April 26, 2019

Austria to Become Most Sustainable Tourism Destination in the World

Sustainability Minister Elisabeth Köstinger presented the "Plan T - Master Plan for Tourism" in Salzburg. This strategy paper is intended to ensure that Austria not only remains one of the leading tourist destinations, but that this position is further strengthened. For the first time sustainability is anchored as a basic principle for tourism. The strategic realignment of Österreich Werbung (ANTO Austrian National Tourist Office) is also on the agenda.

March 26, 2019

Austria as an Attractive Cycling Destination - You like it? Bike it!

At the international tourism trade fair 2019 in Berlin, Austria presents itself above all as an attractive cycling holiday destination. At the centre of the trade fair appearance: the cycling campaign "You Like it? Bike it!"

March 7, 2019

Austria's Largest State Visit to China Imminent

Austria's largest state visit to China to date is about to take place. Four ministers will travel to China from 7 to 12 April with President Van der Bellen and Chancellor Kurz. 170 Austrian companies with a delegation of around 200 people are also on board. The expectation is high that various agreements between Chinese and Austrian companies will be signed.

April 3, 2018