Vienna attracts 30 per cent more Indians this year

Tourists from India accounted for 102,701 overnight stays between January and October 2016, each visitor clocking an average of 2.16 nights, according to Vienna Tourist Board (VTB).

“Vienna got an overwhelming response from travellers from India exceeding the target of 100,000 overnight stays for 2016 by Indian tourists in just 10 months,” says Isabella Rauter, Public Relations Manager, Vienna Tourist Board.

A direct Delhi-Vienna flight by Air India also contributed to more Indians flocking to the Austrian capital.

Similarly, global tourist flow into Vienna during the first 10 months of 2016 also grew by four per cent in overnight stays to 12.45 million and four per cent in arrivals to 5.69 million.

These figures vouch for the growing popularity of Vienna, acclaimed as the world’s most livable city, renowned for its timeless beauty, quaint streets, confectionery and charming boat rides.

“Indians love to stroll around the fabulously green city, with half its metro area dotted with 2,000 green spaces, 850 parks and 400 species of rose, perhaps unmatched by any other city in the world,” adds Rauter.

There’s plenty of heartwarming India connections to the Austrian capital.

Zubin Mehta, the most conspicuous face of India in Vienna, conducted the premiere of Verdi's Falstaff on Dec 4 with repeat shows on Dec 7, 9, 12 and 15.

Mehta also has the distinction of having conducted Vienna New Year's Concert in 1990, 1995, 1998, 2007 and 2015.

The romantic movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was shot in the Austrian capital and released in India, providing glimpses of the city’s charm.

Indians would love to visit the locations of Karan Johar’s film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and

Aishwarya Rai which the Vienna Film Commission had helped him finalize.

Located in the heart of Europe, Vienna has the right mix of culture, diversity and modernity.

The city represents North European lifestyle and South European efficiency.

It’s a multi-dimensional city that appeals to a diverse section of Indian tourists, right from young travellers to honeymooners to families.

Vienna’s USP is that it’s a safe haven for travellers, especially women.

It’s a pedestrian friendly, cycle friendly city, known for its amiable residents.

Vienna was named the world’s most livable city for the seventh consecutive year by global consulting firm Mercer in 2015.

While there are English speaking guides, tourists can also use the 24/48/72 hour Vienna Card and avail the unlimited travel option through bus, tram or metros.

Dance in Vienna

Vienna is as famous for its ball tradition as its music: each year more than 450 dances take place in the city, offering more than 2,000 hours of dance floor action between them.

Recent years have seen the emergence of a new crop of events, which have added a zing and swing to the capital’s time-honoured ballrooms.

In January and February 2017, the ball season moves into high gear with one elegant Viennese ball following the next at illustrious venues such as the Vienna State Opera, Hofburg and Musikverein, the Vienna Philharmonic Ball (Jan 19, 2017), The Opera Ball (Feb 23, 2017), the Vienna Boys' Choir Ball (Jan 27, 2017), the Vienna Coffeehouse Owners’ Ball (Feb 17, 2017) and many others will be attended by thousands of locals and their guests.

Dancing in Vienna is not confined to the waltz – more contemporary sounds also hold sway.

The HipHop Ball, on Jan 28, 2017 at the Kursalon Wien brings together two musical worlds as classical meets hip-hop and guests are free to pair their ball gowns and tuxedos with sneakers if they feel like it.

Vienna Ice World

The Vienna Ice World, an 8,000 square metre ice landscape, comes alive at Vienna Town Hall Square between Jan and Mar each year, turning into a paradise for ice skaters of every age.

The brilliantly illuminated ice rink, delivers entertaining winter enjoyment for skating fans.

Both families and sports buffs seeking action on the ice get their money's worth here.

Winding through the romantically lit City Hall Park is a magical ice path that thrills beginners and professionals alike with its picturesque routes.

A free practice area is available for young ice skaters from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

At 5.00 pm, it transforms into eight curling lanes, where sporty curlers can put their skills to the test.

Tired after a round on the rinks, skaters can seek a wide choice of refreshments at various outdoor booths and in the popular Mountain Hut with terrace.

Warming drinks are also available at Vienna Ice World - from fragrant organic punch to tea.

There are 2,000 pairs of ice skates (all pre-heated with warm air) for rent on site.

Lockers are available for any items of clothing or shoes that you don’t need while skating.

In the rhythm of Vienna: Exciting line up for 2017

2017 is a year of musical jubilees in Vienna, a city with a rich musical heritage and a thriving modern scene.

In addition to 150 years of the Blue Danube waltz, 175 years of the Vienna Philharmonic upcoming musical milestones include the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Vienna Boys' Choir’s MuTh concert hall, 200 years of the University of Music and Performing Arts.

There is also an imperial jubilee in 2017, the 300th anniversary of Empress Maria Theresa’s birth.

From classical to contemporary, Vienna is a delight for music lovers.

The city’s concert halls host so many classical music soirees accommodating over 10,000 fans every evening that music lovers will be spoilt for choice.

Each year the Austrian capital stages more than 15,000 concerts of all sizes and genres.

The Vienna State Opera, Musikverein and Konzerthaus are at the top of many tourists’ itineraries.

Music fans will also find a whole host of interesting places such as the House of Music, Mozarthaus Vienna and the capital’s other concert halls.

The Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, founded 175 years ago, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir (est. 1498) are among the capital’s leading international exports.

It’s a city where you can literally waltz around.

Couples have been dancing to the tunes of Johann Strauss’s world famous Blue Danube Waltz for 150 years now, and the golden statue of the ‘Waltz King’ in Stadtpark is one of the most photographed sights in the city.

The city is a harmonious blend of compositions.

How To Get There

Air India offers a thrice-a-week direct flight from Delhi from Vienna and back.

For those embarking from Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, leading Airlines - Air India, British Airways,Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa,Swiss, and Turkish -- offer connections with just a small stop en route.

The Vienna Tourist Board, the official destination marketing agency for the tourism sector of the city, provides many service offerings, tips and information on Viennese tourist businesses.

The Vienna Tourist Board set up in 1955 under public law as directed by the Vienna Tourist Support Law, is run like a private enterprise with flat hierarchies.

Renate Brauner, Councilor of Finance and Economic Affairs, serves as the President of the Vienna Tourist Board since March 2007.

The position of Director of Tourism is occupied by Norbert Kettner since September 2007.

The Board of Directors (officially: The Tourism Commission) consists of the president, two vice presidents and 15 additional members, the latter mostly assigned by the City of Vienna.

The Vienna Tourist Board is financed by local taxes on hotels in Vienna, the general city budget and its own revenues.