Vienna in the debt strudel: criticism of budget policy and tourism boom!

Vienna in the debt strudel: criticism of budget policy and tourism boom!

In the Vienna City Council there are currently heated discussions about the city's financial policy. GR Andreas Bussek from the FPÖ criticized the statement of Ornig (Neos) municipal council, which spoke of a "solid budget policy". Bussek demanded an apology from the city government to the citizens and warned that rising debts pose a serious problem. He emphasized that the city is currently looking for money to operate loans instead of making significant investments. Bussek also pointed out that the city government could not "squeeze" the citizens.

grin Katharina Weninger from the SPÖ emphasized the successful tourism sector in Vienna as an example of the positive development of the city. According to Weninger, in 2024 there was an impressive number of tourism, since every third euro generated in the Vienna Economy by the so-called "Spillover effect". She emphasized the strategy of relying on tourists and not on mass tourism. In fact, more than 6,600 congresses and conferences took place in Vienna last year, which makes the city one of the leading congress destinations worldwide.

growth in tourism

The tourism sector in Vienna recorded a remarkable upswing in 2024. With an increase of 7 % of overnight stays compared to 2023, a total record of 27.5 million overnight stays was achieved in the nine state capitals, which is about 18 % of the entire Austrian tourism volume. This proportion lies above the level before pandemic. According to the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, sales in the tourism sector rose considerably, and Vienna is described as one of the most sought -after destinations worldwide.

Vienna had already recorded 18.9 million overnight stays in hotels and pensions in 2022. Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that congress tourism generated the highest income, with over 500 euros per night for congress participants. In the city there are over 180 bookable venues with a capacity of more than 400 people, but there is a need for additional locations, including a new multifunctional hall.

challenges in the cultural and art area

The discussion about cultural funding in Vienna is also intensively conducted. GR Karl Mahrer from the ÖVP demands that art and culture should be accessible to everyone. He criticized the current implementation of large -scale projects and the cuts in the music school places. In addition, Mahrer brought applications to the evaluation of art and cultural funding and pleaded for a decentralization of art and culture to create more accessibility and funds for district museums.

The topic of debt view was also addressed by GR Paul Johann Stadler (FPÖ). He asked questions about the deviations in the budget and announced that he critically review the funding of the city. In addition, Office emphasized. Strin Barbara Novak the need for a common consolidation process, since the city's debt is currently 11.94 billion euros.

Ultimately, it becomes clear that tourism is a central support for the economic development of Vienna. The city is investing in modern event infrastructures and plans the further expansion of capacities in order to continue to exist in the future as a leading destination for high-quality tourism. So reported OTS , Wirtschaftsbund Vienna and Press Vienna about the dynamic development and the challenges in urban politics and in tourism.