Vienna now and prospective – The quality and congress city develops further

We know already that living in Vienna is pretty good. This was proven by the Mercer-study in 2010, when the Danube metropolis arises the second time as the city with the highest living quality. In the survey from the “Economist Intelligence Unit” Vienna is successful too. According to the “Livability Ranking Report” from August 2011 Austria’s capital city reserves the second rank of the top-destinations worldwide. Ambitious goals will also be met in the future, especially in the tourism economy.

Vienna as an international metropolis with highest quality
Vienna is the city with the highest living quality. In the Mercer-Ranking[1] 2010 Vienna was able to trump Zurich and Geneva, which are on second and third place. 39 different criteria build the basis of the evaluation, whereas health, security, education and transportation are the most important areas.
221 metropolises have been evaluated concerning their living qualities. Within the eco-ranking, where the cities with the best environment are presented, Vienna is not in the top five. The best evaluated cities in this ranking are Calgary, Honolulu, Ottawa, Helsinki and Wellington.
In 2011 Vienna could prove again, that its living quality is pretty high. The result of the ‘Liveability Ranking Report August 2011’[2] from the “Economist Intelligence Unit” states that the Danube metropolis reserves the second place. It just surrendered against Melbourne.
It is the first time since a decade, that Vancouver is not at the top. The crisis of the Euro and the Arab spring have definitely influenced the ranking. Every city is evaluated in five big areas like balance, health, culture, environment, education and infrastructure.

Sector of tourism as a seminal industry
The city of Vienna wants to focus on the sector tourism in the future. As a branch with high potential, Vienna as a multifaceted brand should be encouraged and worked up. With the formula ‘100 and 1 and now’ the tourism-concept 2015[3] wants to achieve a high goal. The sales volume of the hotel industry should increase about 100 Million euros and the number of overnight stays should be raised by one million. The ‘now’ in the formula refers to the metropolis Vienna, as a popular destination of travellers, which you must not miss.
11.000 travellers were questioned; both people who know Vienna and those who don’t were considered. Expectations and desires from travellers as well as interests of the tourism economy are combined in the concept. You can find offers like culinary, culture, design, architecture, sightseeing and relaxing, business and Wellness in Vienna. Its attractive infrastructure meets the hybrid consumption value.
The Viennese atmosphere is a very special one, where borders between cultures, genres and social levels are mixed together. There is no strict distinction possible. Contradictions, like the pulsating capital city and the idyllic vineyards with a unique view over Vienna are balanced and meet the needs of guests. So, Vienna as a touristy label offers diversifying innovative qualities.
Because the Danube metropolis is regarded as the worldwide most successful destination for congresses, the corporate function, congress and trade fair tourism is counted among the most important segments. In the Business section the overnight stays have been nearly doubled in the last decade, whereat serviced apartments became very popular. These apartments offer a place, where guests can feel like home and at the same time don’t have to miss the services of a hotel. Viennaresidence | business rental apartments is such an apartment-rental agency, that rents serviced apartments for short as well as long term stays. The apartments are high-class and modern furnished and fully equipped, from dishes and microwave to towels and a washing machine. Just everything you need for living. The agencies, like viennaresidence, offer additional services, like chauffeur services, cleaning or shopping via partner businesses. These features reliefs everyday life and a comfortable and trouble-free stay in Austria’s capital city is waiting for the guest. Moreover serviced apartments offer an inexpensive alternative to a long-term stay in a hotel.
In the future Vienna’s image as a congress-city will be developed. With its diversifying offers concerning different localities, from the Viennese Hofburg and Austria Center Vienna to the Messe Vienna, Universities and palaces, the city can manage every kind of congress or trade fair. With special and innovative products Vienna wants to build up a trend in the congress-tourism. For example, the offer of modern localities should be extended and the image of the trade fair location should be sustained with more awareness and openness.
The goal of the tourism-concept 2015 is, amongst others, to develop Vienna as an international congress metropolis. Thus, the image of the city will be brightened and also the sector of tourism will profit. With the Mercer-survey and the ‘Liveablitiy Ranking Report’ we have an evidence for Vienna being a cosmopolitan and innovative City with high living quality.

[1]cf. http://b2b.wien.info/de/reisebranche/marketing/tourismuskonzept-wien-2015, access on Sept. 28^th, 2011.
[2]cf.http://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=liveabilityAug2011, access on Sept. 28^th, 2011.
[3]cf. Mercer 2010, http://www.mercer.ch/press-releases/1381150, access on Sept. 28^th, 2011.