Vienna sees 50 percent jump in Indian tourists

A record number of Indians went visiting Vienna in 2015, with numbers showing a 50 percent jump and the bulk of them also staying overnight as opposed to a day visit that has also been an option with some guests, the city's tourist board said on Thursday.

"More Indians are choosing to visit Vienna, our city of stately castles, culture, cuisine, music and vast green spaces. The growth in Indian visitors to Vienna was among the highest, after the Arabic countries and Taiwan," said Isabella Rauter of the Vienna Tourist Board.

"Our city drew a record number of 40,355 Indians last year. They accounted for 89,628 overnight stays. While the number of Indians visiting Vienna grew 49.5 percent, the number of overnight stays grew 38.7 percent," said Rauter, who overseas media relations for India and Italy.

The Viennese -- who have been viewing films since 1902 -- also take movie-making seriously.

Last year, the Vienna Film Commission helped Bollywood director Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" team identify, finalise and shoot at a number of locations in the sprawling paradise.

The board officials alluded that its promotion in 2015, covering 20 key markets, including India, had paid off, especially based on the theme of "150 years of the Ringstrasse" -- the 5.3-km ring road, marking its transformation from the residence of the monarchy to the Austrian capital.

This makes the city itself a sight to admire and savour, what with its stately buildings, coffee houses and blooming parks and gardens lining the boulevard to provide relaxation and solace to the capital's population and visitors, with as many as 700 hectares under vineyards.

Vienna, which promotes its own tourism as against the larger Austria, is home to 27 castles, 163 palaces, 109 museums and 120 music and theatre stages that hold more than 15,000 concerts annually, the tourist board said.

"Vienna's imperial heritage along with contemporary attractions and young neighbourhoods will continue to offer something for everyone in an Indian family, as the city prepares to welcome Indian travellers in much larger numbers in 2016," board director Norbert Kettner said.

The city also lends its name to a unique style of cooking.

Besides, Viennese coffee houses offer irresistible pastries, pies and cakes, confections prepared with a traditional flair, in addition to the beverage, which makes for an unforgettable experience, board officials added.