In the year 2017, the city of Vienna hosted more than 4,000 congresses, corporate events and incentives. The events brought about 611,000 participants to the city, responsible for 1,874,000 overnight stays. This number represents a growth of 9% in relation to the previous year.
From 2008 to here, the profit generated by the events of the city grew around 78%. In addition, also in 2017, visitors to Vienna contributed with 1,163 billion euros, leading to an increase of 8% for Austrian GDP. Most of this amount (79%) is generated by international congresses.
Tourism director Norbert Kettner explains the main reasons why the Austrian capital is in evidence as a destination for event organizers. “Vienna stands out for its ease of access as an important hub in Central Europe, as well as for its extensive hotel offerings and excellent facilities for events.” According to Kettner, Vienna won the loyalty of the organizers, “Until 2025, the European Congress of Radiology takes place in the capital, an event that brings together over 20,000 participants every year; until 2024, the general assemblies of the European Union of Geosciences also take place in the capital, “he says.
From the second half of this year, Austria assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it is expected that a large number of small and medium-sized events will take place in Vienna. Currently, the city has direct flights to almost 200 destinations worldwide and has 66,000 hotel beds.
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