2011: Record high for the Vienna tourist industry

2011 was the most successful year of the Vienna tourist industry so far: compared to 2010, the number of tourist overnight stays in the Austrian capital increased by 5 per cent to a total of 11.4 million – even surpassing the record result achieved in 2008, the year of the European Football Championship (EURO 2008).

Vienna is always in season

Vienna counted over one million tourist overnight stays per month in many as eight months in 2011. Originally, the main tourist season was in summer, but now the city seems to be in season almost all year round.

Vienna has seen an increase in the number of visitors from Russia, Spain and Switzerland in particular.

The positive 2011 result benefits all sectors of the local hospitality industry. The number of tourist beds in Vienna increased by 4,300 (9 per cent) last year, while the overall bed occupancy rate remained almost unchanged. Although the exact figures will not be available until February this year, it is certain that the total turnover of hotels, inns and guesthouses in Vienna in 2011 will equally hit a record high.

The Vienna Card - a success story

The Vienna Card equally proved highly popular in 2011. The tourist pass was introduced in 1995; by December 2011, four million cards had been sold.

Main attraction 2012: the art and life of Gustav Klimt

Deputy Mayor Renate Brauner is confident that "thanks to the professional know-how of the local hospitality sector, and with Gustav Klimt as a tourist magnet, Vienna has an excellent competitive position in international city tourism. We will make the very best of 2012."