Vienna Tourism Board has launched the next stage of its Visitor Economic Strategy under the theme ‘Optimum Tourism,’ charting a path towards sustainable, well-balanced tourism.
Key aspects of the strategy emphasize enhancing resident satisfaction, strategic expansion in cultural and MICE sectors, and a fresh collaboration with UN Tourism’s INSTO Network. Additionally, the plan includes initiatives to implement traffic calming measures in the city center, aiming to optimize public space usage while maintaining a high quality of life for residents.
This new phase aims to foster sustainable growth by striking a balance between the interests of locals and tourists. Key elements include:
Three clear goals to guide effective tourism development
Building support from both residents and tourists as the fundamental base
Emphasis on cultural tourism, the MICE sector, and attracting luxury travelers
Destination stewardship: a collective effort with shared objectives and responsibilities
Adherence to global standards and transparency through collaboration with UN Tourism
Action programs: adaptable strategies alongside more stringent regulations for public spaces
Optimum Tourism – Aiming for Sustainable Growth
Vienna’s tourism sector has set clear objectives for long-term success, ensuring a path to sustainable development. These goals are as follows:
Strike a balance between resident contentment and tourist enjoyment
Two-thirds of visitors to Vienna should align with the ideal visitor profile
Aiming for the meeting industry to contribute to one-tenth of all overnight stays in the future.
Tourism should continue to be a key economic engine, generating employment, benefiting local communities, promoting mobility, and ensuring inclusive access, all while focusing on climate protection and sustainable resource management.
Vienna has officially become a member of the United Nations’ International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). This network consists of institutions dedicated to tracking tourism trends using data and metrics, evaluating the economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism, fostering open communication, and working towards enhanced sustainability.
Governance Focus: Public Space – A Collective Duty
Significant strides have been made in regulating public spaces, such as strengthening the restrictions on street vending through updated zoning laws, largely banning short-term rentals in residential areas, encouraging a diverse range of local suppliers, and preventing the proliferation of souvenir stands. On the federal front, new legislation is being introduced to establish a legal framework for traffic calming measures in urban areas and municipalities.
