On a night when the stars were shining bright at the Toronto International Film Festival, it was only fitting that the Vienna Tourist Board should come to town to cast a spotlight on the elegant Austrian city.

Resplendent at the Ritz no less, city representatives, and partners such as Air Canada, which serves the city with direct flights, offered a view of Vienna designed to entice Canadians to visit now, and into 2023, a year in which the city will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its World’s Fair in 1873.

(Other partners on hand included Lufthansa/Austrian Airlines, Vienna Airport and host hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Vienna).

“Vienna is a good hub (for Canadians) to discover Austria and Central Europe,” Advantage Austria Canada trade commissioner and consul Gregor Postl said by way of introduction, adding, “It’s a small city and easy to get around with friendly people and over 100 nationalities, similar to Toronto.”

The tourist board’s market manager for Canada, Marie Theres Polt, dug a little deeper into the “special” city, citing ample imperial history, music, art, and outdoor activities to excite visitors on a year-round basis.

Highlights include over 100 museum and bucket list attractions like Belvedere (banner photo) and Schonbrunn palaces, the Vienna State Opera (which features back-stage tours in addition to performances), and Musicverein, home of Vienna Philharmonic’s renowned New Year’s Eve concert.

Most importantly, Polt said visitors to Vienna will discover a “culture of enjoyment,” which plays out from its famous coffee houses, to over a thousand city gardens and recreational areas for swimming and paddling in the Danube.

“There’s no rush; take your time, enjoy life,” she enthused.

Vienna is also the only world capital with a significant wine growing region within its city limits, where visitors can hike or relax for a drink at sunset.

“It doesn’t get any more perfect than that,” she said, adding that such outdoor opportunities show a “different side that you wouldn’t expect from an imperial city like Wien.”

Meanwhile, in winter Vienna transforms into a “Christmas wonderland,” in large part due to the city’s famed Christmas markets.

And in spring, before Ash Wednesday, the city celebrates “ball season” with up to 400 events, some of which may be attended by visitors.

Visitors to Vienna will also find a digital tour guide and Vienna city card to help with their travels.

For the travel trade, Polt noted that the tourist board offers ample help, from collateral material to itinerary suggestions and FAM trip opportunities.

“I’m here to make your life easier,” she said.

Booking contest

One current opportunity for agents is a booking incentive offer by the tourist board and Air Canada. Through the end of the year, travel counsellors are invited to register their AC flight bookings made (and for travel) by Dec. 31 for an opportunity to win two business class tickets to Vienna (restrictions apply). The winner will be announced Jan.9, 2023.

For information on the contest email armando@ampmcanada.ca