In the last three years arrivals (and bednights) from the Middle East to Austria have doubled.
This makes Austria one of the most popular destinations in Europe among travellers from the Middle East, said Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, director, Middle East, Austrian National Tourist Office Dubai.
The Austrian National Tourist Office has opened its first office in the Middle East in February 2007.
In the process, flight frequency to Austria has increased steadily. In 2007 both Austrian Airlines and Emirates fly daily from Dubai to Vienna.
Qatar Airways began daily flights to Vienna in May, while Saudi Arabian Airlines starts to fly to Vienna from Riyadh and Jeddah from June 20.
The most popular Austrian destinations for guests from the Middle East are Vienna followed by Salzburg City and Zell am See, Ehrenbrandtner said. Destinations in Austria that are new to market are Gastein, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, he added.
Guests from the Middle East claim to come to Austria for various reasons, said Ehrenbrandtner: because of shopping and sightseeing in the city of Vienna, pristine nature with more than nine thousand lakes and the Alps; Austrian hospitality and the enjoyment of wellness and culinary delights.