Vienna relies on sustainable tourism: strategy for the future!

Vienna relies on sustainable tourism: strategy for the future!

Vienna has further developed its visitor economy strategy in 2025 and is relying on the promising “Optimum Tourism” initiative. The aim is to satisfy not only the needs of tourists, but also those of locals. This strategy is reflected in a clear vision: high tourism acceptance and guest satisfaction are the top priority. In addition, two thirds of the overnight stays should come from “dream guests”, while ten percent should come from the meeting area. The city and the Vienna Tourism Office are working together to create a good balance that takes into account both local and tourist needs, as tip-online.at reports.

In tune with the times: sustainable growth and clear rules

In a world in which professional tourism is becoming more and more important, Vienna is firmly committed to focusing on quality and responsible growth. Commitment to sustainable congress tourism and locally anchored value creation are also central elements of this strategy. The introduction of clear rules in public spaces - such as zoning and restrictions on short-term rentals - is intended to ensure that locals do not suffer from the largely positive effects of tourism. In 2024, Vienna recorded eight million overnight guests, generating a total of almost 19 million overnight stays, showing that the city is on the right track. According to wien.info, 90% of the locals surveyed rated tourism positively.

A joint project

The visitor economy is not only perceived as an economic factor, but also as a cooperation project between politics, business and urban society. Tourism development is seen as teamwork in which everyone involved bears responsibility. The so-called relaunch of the strategy underlines that the visitor economy policy is more than just marketing; it is a comprehensive urban development strategy that is also part of the UN Sustainable Tourism Initiative. Progress in a total of eleven subject areas, including climate protection and mobility, will be continuously measured. This goes hand in hand with action programs that provide targeted measures such as sustainable travel and barrier-free infrastructure, as also mentioned by tip-online.at.

A holistic concept

The Visitor Economy Strategy is an example of how cities can address the challenges of modern tourism. Since its introduction in 2019, the strategy has established itself as an international benchmark in Vienna. And all without boredom! A Placemaking Action Program works to make urban spaces more attractive for both locals and visitors while creating employment opportunities. This is particularly important as the discussion about the role of tourism in poverty reduction and the benefits for the local population becomes increasingly relevant. The development of partnerships between the public and private sectors is seen as the key to success, as spectrum.de describes.