2011 a Capital Congress Year for Vienna

VIENNA, Austria, March 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Vienna's 2011 congress report reveals increases for all key indicators. The Vienna Tourist Board's Vienna Convention Bureau has been an authorized "Green Meetings" certification agency since the beginning of the year.

A total of 3,151 congresses and corporate events were held in Vienna last year, 7% more than in 2010. The resulting bednights rose by 6% to 1,412,133, equivalent to 12.4% of Vienna's total bednights. Throughout Austria, the Vienna congress industry generated value-added of 838.4 million euros, an increase of 9% and a new record level. International congresses - of which there were 638 - made the biggest impact. Although they accounted for only 20% of all events, they produced 67% of bednights and 72% of value-added in this sector.

Vienna is continuing to develop its congress infrastructure, and Director of Tourism Norbert Kettner has already announced the next step: "Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration will start teaching at its new premises near Prater in the 2013 winter semester. The Vienna Tourist Board was involved in the planning process, making it possible to ensure that the auditorium complex is ideally incorporated into the nearby facilities of Reed Messe Wien, so that its infrastructure will be perfectly complemented during university vacations."

Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Tourist Board's Vienna Convention Bureau, has also revealed a new service: "Since the beginning of the year, we have been authorized to certify conferences whose organizers take climate protection, regional value-added and social compatibility into account as Green Meetings. Congress organizers are taking an intensive interest in such matters at the moment, and it was therefore essential for the Vienna Convention Bureau to acquire the necessary expertise so as to be able to offer effective assistance."

Astrid Pockfuss Tel.: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] http://b2b.wien.info