Tourism Industry

Travel from Austria to the U.S. - Biden's New Policy Will End the Need for National Interest Exceptions

As announced by Biden and the White House around the UN General Assembly, as of early November it will again be possible for all adult foreign nationals, i.e. including Austrians and other foreign nationals entering the U.S. via Vienna, to enter the U.S., thus also eliminating the need for national interest exemptions (NIE). More details in the article.

Yesterday

International Luxury Travelers to Visit Vienna

The Vienna Tourist Board (WienTourismus) is targeting international luxury travelers in a fall advertising campaign across Europe and the USA in an attempt to boost Vienna's tourism industry. This campaign will include advertising for culinary events in Vienna like "Feed Your Soul," it will market Vienna as a destination for business meetings, and it will target Ultra High Net Worth Individuals. Read more about Vienna's various offers aimed at international luxury travelers.

Yesterday

"Made in Austria": Ambassadors to Serve as Export Promoters

The Austrian government is calling on its diplomats around the world to promote Austria's export and tourism industries abroad to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis. At the opening event of "ReFocus Austria", Chancellor Kurz, Foreign Minister Schallenberg, and Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) Martha Schultz laid out the government's plan. Read about "ReFocus Austria," what these officials said about it, and watch the video of the opening event.

September 10, 2021

Greater Flexibility: Austrian Airlines Improves Booking Platform

Austrian Airlines (AUA) has improved its booking platform to provide more flexibility when booking. The platform now allows customers to book flights from the entire route network of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS. This new booking platform provides multiple new benefits to customers, including a broader selection of destinations, free 48-hour booking reservations, and more. Read about all the advantages the new platform has to offer.

August 31, 2021

Vienna Danube Tower: Dining Pleasure at a Height of 170 Meters

The Vienna Danube Tower (Wiener Donauturm) offers various packages for enjoying a panoramic view of Vienna at 170 meters high. The tower cafe and tower restaurant offer three-course menus, romantic dinners, brunch buffets, birthday parties, and more. Read more about the various dining options at the top of the Danube Tower.

August 24, 2021 · Sponsored Content

Vienna's New International Long-Distance Bus Terminal

Construction on Vienna’s new international long-distance bus terminal funded by Donau Busterminal Realisierungs GmbH and designed by Burtscher-Durig is set to begin by the end of 2022, and the terminal is expected to be operational by 2024 or 2025. Read more about the estimated project costs of 200 million euros and some of the advantages it presents to international travelers.

August 18, 2021

These Are Austria's Most Popular Lakes

Lake Constance is the most popular Austrian swimming lake on Instagram. Lake Wörthersee came in second, while Tyrol's Achensee, the newcomer to the podium, came in third. Read which other Austrian public bathing lakes took the 4th to 20th places.

August 18, 2021

Austrian Airlines: Tourist Destinations in the Mediterranean Region Pilot Airline in the Right Direction

With a focus on destinations in the Mediterranean region, Austrian Airlines’ summer flight schedule gave the company an important upward boost. Also, AUA’s flights from the US destinations New York, Washington and Chicago to Vienna were well booked. But what will become of the coming fall/winter season?

August 6, 2021

Vienna International Airport: Current Situation for Arriving and Departing Passengers

Before traveling through Vienna International Airport, it is important to be up to date on the current regulations regarding COVID-19. Read about entry requirements, PCR testing at the airport, and more.

July 30, 2021

The Future of Tourism in Vienna Lies in Overseas Guests

Vienna International Airport and Vienna Tourist Board have extended their cooperation with the aim of acquiring international long-haul connections. They believe the future of the tourism industry in Vienna, especially coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, depends on attracting more overseas guests. Find out why.

July 21, 2021

Latest Travel Restrictions From Austria to the USA

Travel to the USA from Austria is still restricted due to COVID-19, but the US Embassy Vienna has provided rules for National Interest Exceptions (NIE). Learn more about them before traveling.

July 8, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Restrictions Ease on July 1

Austria celebrates its next opening step on July 1. From then on, the nightly curfew is eliminated, clubs are allowed to re-open, and FFP2 masks can be exchanged for mouth-nose protection. Read more about the new regulations below.

June 29, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies As of July 1?

The Austrian government has announced further relaxations of the Covid-19 measures starting in July. The curfew will be lifted and the obligatory FFP2 masks will be replaced by a normal mouth-nose protection in most public areas. Read more about what applies as of July 1.

June 17, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies Now?

As of today, June 10, Austria faces fewer restrictions. While the curfew for restaurants is being extended to 12 a.m. now, even fewer restrictions will be in place in July. Read more about what applies now below.

June 10, 2021

International Nightjet Connections to Vienna Back in Service: Now Also Amsterdam

Effective immediately, the Nightjets of Austrian Railways (ÖBB - Österreichische Bundesbahnen) are once again in operation. In addition to the 18 known night train connections, for the first time there is also a daily night train from Amsterdam via Linz to Vienna or via Munich to Innsbruck. Paris and Strasbourg are being planned.

May 31, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Easing of Measures in June and July

The Austrian government has announced a reduction of restrictive measures for June and July. A return to normality, as Austria's Chancellor Kurz has always promised, might be possible with a few exception by late summer. Find out more about every change below!

May 31, 2021

Vienna Selected as Most Desired Luxury Travel Destination

Vienna has one yet another award. After being selected as the most liveable city of the world for a number of years already, Vienna has now been awarded the prize for the "Most Desired Preferred Destination" by the luxury travel network "Traveller Made".

May 26, 2021

EU Countries Agree on Green Passport by July, Austria Plans it for June

The EU countries and EU Parliament have agreed on an Europe-wide "Green Passport" by July 1, while Austria intends to have its Green Entry Pass ready by the beginning of June. Can the Austrian solution be implemented in the EU-wide certificate? Find out below!

May 21, 2021

How to Get Into Austria as of May 19

In line with the opening steps in Austria, the government has announced new entry regulations, which should ease the travel to Austria. Read all about the regulations below!

May 18, 2021

Unemployment Decreases: Austria's Economy Trends Upwards

Austria's economy and employment show signs of recovery. The recent unemployment figures show a decline of about 8.7 percent in April compared to the previous month. Compared to last April, which was one of Austria's first months in the midst of the pandemic, this is a decrease of 32 percent.

May 4, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Openings Start May 19

The Austrian government headed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has announced the opening plans for the near future. On May 19, previously closed sectors such as the tourism, events and sports sector will re-open, while restaurants and schools will also return to "normal" business. Entry requirements will be put in place in order to keep the risk of infection relatively low.

April 26, 2021

Austrian Unemployment Decreases in March

The number of unemployed Austrians has decreased significantly in March compared to the previous month. About 56,000 fewer people have been reported unemployed, while the number of people in training at the Austrian Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS) has increased. This is likely due to the recent measure, which provides training priorities in areas where there is a particular demand for qualified workers.

April 7, 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

Austrian Airlines Continues Restructuring Process

Austrian Airlines has announced to further their restructuring process. The company will be cutting more than 650 jobs by 2023, while reducing the fleet once more. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech: "The pandemic is taking much longer than expected. For this reason, we are now taking additional measures to secure the future of our Austrian Airlines in the long term."

March 26, 2021

WKO President Mahrer Demands Tourism Opening in March

At the so-called "opening summit" initiated by Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO), the president of the WKO Harald Mahrer and other representatives of the affected businesses demand to open up the tourism and leisure industry. The currently successful model of entry tests for body-related services could be expanded to these industries as well, Mahrer emphasized.

February 26, 2021

Vienna International Airport: Passenger Decline Minus 90.5%

Vienna's airport, which is also known as Vienna International Airport (VIA) or Flughafen Wien, continues to suffer massively from the COVID 19 pandemic. The passenger decline that has been taking place since February 2020 has continued in the new year. The airport recorded a decline to just 198,295 travelers. Only cargo volumes remained stable.

February 18, 2021

WKO: Austria Needs to End Lockdown in March

After the recent announcement of Austria's federal government to have restaurants, hotels and the cultural sector closed until Easter, the heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) demand opening steps for March. They emphasize that all the current tools, such as mass testing, entry tests and stricter distance rules, would allow a safe gradual opening of the currently closed sectors.

February 16, 2021

Vienna International Airport: What Is the Current Situation and How Can I Take a Covid 19 Test?

Subsequently, you will find updated information from Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) regarding the reduced flight offer (landing ban for flights from the UK, South Africa and Brazil), extended entry requirements, Covid-19 test possibilities directly at the airport, the new quarantine form, body temperature measurements and other important coronavirus safety measures.

February 16, 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

Covid-19 in Austria: Hotels And Restaurants Closed Until Easter

After easing the latest lockdown for the retail sector and schools in Austria on February 8, the opening of restaurants and the cultural and tourism sector was heavily discussed. However, Austria's government has announced that hotels, restaurants, cultural establishments and recreational facilities will remain closed until further notice.

February 15, 2021

WKO: Austria's Tourism Industry Needs Every Possible Help

The chairman of the division responsible for tourism in the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, Robert Seeber, demands all possible help for the hard-hit Austrian tourism industry. Seeber emphasizes the need for urgent measures, so the tourism sector can once again "act as an economic locomotive and employment engine to boost the entire national economy."

February 10, 2021

Vienna Hopes for Revival as Congress Metropolis

The Covid-19 pandemic has influenced numerous different industries. Conventions, congresses and large-scale corporate events have not been possible, although they were important drivers for Vienna's tourism and international standing as congress metropolis. For 2021 and the upcoming years, the city hopes to experience a revival of this particular industry.

February 3, 2021

Austria's Unemployment Rate at 11 Percent

Crisis-related unemployment, especially due to the lack of a seasonal start in tourism, has a huge impact on the unemployment rate in Austria at the moment. More than 500,000 people are currently seeking for jobs, which is an increase of more than 63,000 compared to the previous. month.

January 5, 2021

Selmayr: Member States Need To Decide on Skiing at Christmas

The recent debate about skiing during the Christmas holidays will need to be regulated on a national level, according to the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, Martin Selmayr. Selmayr states that the EU has neither the obligation nor the expertise to impose any EU wide rules in this matter.

November 25, 2020

October: Minus 84.5 Percent Overnight Stays in Vienna

The Covid-19 crisis has hit the hotel and tourism industry hard. Especially urban areas are affected which is also the reason for the drastic numbers of overnight stays in Vienna. Compared to 2019, the city recorded a minus of 84.5 percent in the month of October.

November 20, 2020

Austrian Airlines Goes Into Hibernation

The worsening Covid-19 situation in Europe also affects Austrian Airlines and its success in the upcoming winter months. After a summer which was better than most forecasts had predicted, the current rise of Covid-19 cases means a reduction in demand for flights in the near future.

October 29, 2020

Danger for Winter Tourism: Germany Warns Of Travel to Austria

After Germany had warned against travel to Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg last week, rising Covid-19 infection rates in other parts of Austria have led to an expansion of the travel warnings to almost every federal state of Austria. These warning will be in effect on Saturday with no end in sight.

October 22, 2020

September: 75 Percent Fewer Overnight Stays in Vienna

Compared to September 2019, Vienna has recorded 75 percent less overnight stays this year. Due to Covid-19 and current travel regulations, the City of Vienna faces a drastic reduction in tourists which can be also observed when looking at the statistical measurements.

October 20, 2020

Federal Chamber of Commerce: Lockdown Is Unthinkable and Needs To Be Avoided

The heads of the Federal Chamber of Commerce emphasize the importance of avoiding a second lockdown due to rising Covid-19 cases in Austria. They also demand further support measures for the economy and particularly hope that the EU approves the planned fixed cost subsidy.

October 9, 2020

Austrian Airlines to Reduce Flights and to Increase Short-Time Work

Due to new travel restrictions from Germany, Switzerland and other countries with regard to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Austria, Austrian Airlines will reduce the number of flights which were originally planned for the upcoming season to only 30% compared to last winter.

October 6, 2020

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

Sacher Hotels Lay Off 140 Employees

The dramatic situation in Austria's tourism industry does not even spare one of the most prestigious hotels in Europe. The Sacher Hotels, located in Vienna and Salzburg, have announced the dismissal of 140 employees.

September 15, 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

A Ban on Alcohol for Advent Markets May Be Discussed

For the director of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, Harald Mahrer, is it imaginable to have Advent markets this year. However, he is preferring a mandatory mask wearing at Advent markets and recommends a discussion about a possible ban on alcohol.

September 4, 2020

Massive Drop in the Austrian Service Sector Turnover in 2nd Quarter of 2020

The service sector experienced a major decrease in turnover by 27.9% less than in the same timeframe of the previous year. The sectors "accommodation and gastronomy" and "other economic services" like travel agencies declined at the most.

September 3, 2020

Three Quarter Less Overnight Stays in Vienna

This July, the number of overnight stays in the city of Vienna decreased by 73.3% compared to July 2019. The major reason is the Coronavirus lockdown and the travel restrictions implemented by other countries.

August 26, 2020

Austria Fears for Winter Tourism

The upcoming winter will be an immense challenge for the Austrian tourism industry. Tourism operators are requesting general and unified regulations implemented by the government to secure planning and tourists. A major focus will be laid on Après-Ski.

August 21, 2020

Austria Introduces Travel Warning for Balearics

The government announced a travel warning for the Balearics and therefore reacts on the increasing number of Corona infected returners. The travel warning is valid since Monday, August 24 onwards and a negative PCR-test or a home quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.

August 19, 2020 · Updated: August 19, 2020; 18:37

Comprehensive COVID-19 Tests for High-Risk-Country-Travelers Should Bring Back Freedom to Travel

AUA Austrian Airlines calls for comprehensive COVID-19 testing to replace general landing and entry bans.

August 19, 2020