Vienna tourism chief Kettner wins five-year contract extension

Vienna’s Tourism Commission has extended Norbert Kettner’s contract as managing director of Vienna Tourism for another five years, ORF reported Wednesday.

Kettner has led the organisation since 2007, during which time overnight stays in Vienna have more than doubled. Further growth remains the goal, but officials said the focus would be on quality.

‘Optimum Tourism’ strategy

Vienna recorded about 9.7 million overnight stays in 2007 and more than 20 million last year. Following his reappointment, Kettner said he would continue pursuing the “Optimum Tourism” strategy, which aims for sustainable growth.

The strategy seeks to maintain a balance between the number of visitors and the needs of residents. Kettner said Vienna had successfully established itself as a meeting destination and remained highly attractive to visitors interested in art and culture.

Tourism councillor Barbara Novak said the Vienna tourism strategy, which Kettner had helped shape, showed that economic success, visitor satisfaction and the interests of Vienna’s residents could go hand in hand.