Vienna’s congress tourism scene actually kicked into excessive gear in 2024. The town performed host to six,619 completely different congresses and company get-togethers, which—should you belief the Vienna Vacationer Board—introduced in about 1.32 billion euros for Austria. It’s spectacular when you think about that this vigorous sector additionally saved almost 23,500 jobs going all 12 months and raked in 365 million euros in tax income, each numbers hitting file highs.
A Main Financial Driver
Norbert Kettner, Vienna’s Tourism Director, talked about that the ripple results of the native convention scene stretch nicely past town itself, fueling development all through the nation. In comparison with 2023, Vienna noticed a modest 2% rise in congress occasions (2,193 in whole) and a barely bigger, 3% bump in company occasions (4,426 occasions). Apparently, whereas worldwide congresses made up simply 12% of all occasions, they had been the heavy hitters—contributing round 1.03 billion euros, drawing 39% of all individuals, and accounting for almost two-thirds of in a single day stays.
Congress Vacationers: Excessive Spenders, Lengthy Stays
In 2024, about 671,000 individuals took half in these occasions, which led to roughly 1.999 million in a single day stays—a leap of 26% from the 12 months earlier than. What’s much more placing is that congress-goers averaged roughly 2.98 nights in Vienna, in comparison with the standard 2.3 nights spent by normal guests. Additionally they opened up their wallets a bit extra, spending some 560 euros per evening as a substitute of the common 360 euros. Most of those guests selected swankier motels, and—in keeping with one research—a notable 86% mentioned they’d like to come back again for a private go to.
Deal with Specialised Congresses and Legacy Applications
The town isn’t nearly numbers; it’s carving out its area of interest in specialised areas too. Within the lead as much as 2025, Vienna has lined up some main medical occasions—a radiology congress anticipating 20,500 individuals, an ESCMID microbiology assembly with about 14,500 of us, and the EASD diabetes congress drawing round 15,000 individuals. New buzz areas like synthetic intelligence are catching consideration as nicely. There’s additionally been rising curiosity in legacy packages that depart a mark. For instance, on the European Renal Affiliation’s congress from June 4–7, consultants plan to teach college students at three native colleges about kidney well being with follow-up classes on the Austria Heart. Equally, the European Area Company’s Residing Planet Symposium later in June is ready to function a touring exhibition, interactive stations, and even some stay music at Karlsplatz, aiming to tug in locals and easy the best way for tourism.
Vienna’s International Standing and Assist Initiatives
Globally, Vienna continues to shine—it ranked fourth worldwide in 2023, as famous by the Worldwide Congress and Conference Affiliation. To maintain that momentum on, the Vienna Assembly Fund—born in the course of the pandemic—retains drawing in occasions, even throughout quieter durations. By the shut of 2024, there have been greater than 1,200 functions for funding, with over 800 conferences authorized for the interval stretching from Could 2021 to December 2028. Slightly below three million euros stay unspent out of an authentic 12 million euro pot.
With a singular combine of strong financial advantages, vibrant cultural outreach, and sensible initiatives, Vienna appears nicely on its solution to sustaining its place as a high spot for international congress tourism in 2025 and past.
