ITTN’s Allie Sheehan and Niall O’Neill attended a Discover Austria Lunch yesterday in the Iveagh Garden Hotel, hosted by Austria National Tourist Organisation (ANTO) and Advantage Austria.
Austria is a very popular ski destination for the Irish market and is becoming increasingly popular for the summer season with wellness holidays, outdoor adventures like hiking or biking and cultural getaways.
More than 100,000 people have travelled to Austria from Ireland in 2023 with the numbers rising, contributing to over 400,000 hotel nights.
During the lunch, we heard from various regions in Austria including:
Hotel Bergland Sillian
Conveniently accessible from both Venice and Munich, Hotel Bergland Sillian offers a variety of attractions in its surrounding area, such as the scenic Drau Cycling Path and the breathtaking Dolomites, known for their stunning vistas and alpine hiking trails. The hotel also hosts music concerts featuring talented local Irish singer-songwriters.
Hotel Sans Souci Vienna
Hotel Sans Souci Vienna, an art hotel established in 2012, is housed in a historic building and features Vienna’s longest indoor hotel pool. It stands out for its unique artistic ambience, reflected in everything from its in-house art gallery to its food, decor, and cocktail offerings.
Schönbrunn Group
The Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see in Vienna. Serving as the Imperial summer residence, it offers a range of tours for adults and children, showcasing the lives of Maria Theresa and the Imperial couple, Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi. Since 2002, Schönbrunn Group has provided a window into the grandeur of Austria’s imperial past.
Tourismusverband Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann in Tirol
Renowned for skiing, the Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann region also draws visitors with its unique September Dumpling Festival. Nestled between the Kitzbüheler Horn and Wilder Kaiser mountains, it offers excellent opportunities for hiking and immersing oneself in nature.
Tourismusverband Paznaun – Ischgl
Easily reachable from Innsbruck, Munich, and Zurich airports, the Paznaun – Ischgl region is home to five 5-star hotels and 86 4-star hotels. The Silvretta Arena ski area boasts 74 lifts and cable cars with 365 km of ski slopes, including the option for night skiing in Galtür and See.
Tourismusverband St. Anton am Arlberg
St. Anton am Arlberg, where Austria’s first ski club was founded nearly 125 years ago, remains a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts. It offers over 300 km of ski slopes and 200 km of off-piste routes, making it Austria’s largest interconnected ski area.
Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus GmbH
Zell am See-Kaprun is a year-round destination renowned for its stunning glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Known for its commitment to sustainability, the region offers seasonal attractions like Christmas markets and convenient transportation options, including a railway service to the city and an electric car shuttle to nearby hotels.
