Österreich konnte seine Popularität als Winterurlaubsland bei ausländischen Gästen weiter ausbauen, noch nie zuvor wurden so viele internationale Gäste und Nächtigungen registriert. Die moderne Infrastruktur, das sehr gute Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis und die Gastlichkeit sind entscheidende Wettbewerbskomponenten. Die Ankünfte der Ausländer stiegen um 2,8% (rd. 318.000 AN) auf 11,7 Mio. Das Nächtigungsvolumen wurde um 2,7% (rd. 1,3 Mio.) auf 50,3 Mio. ausgebaut. Die Aufenthaltsdauer der Ausländer blieb mit 4,3 Nächten konstant.

Die Inlandsnachfrage ging leicht zurück (Ankünfte -0,4%, Nächtigungen -0,7%). Die Österreicher-/innen verzichteten im Jänner, Februar und April verstärkt auf Urlaube im eigenen Land.

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Get to know about places including landmarks for this will help in getting around. There are some of the top tourist attractions in UK, especially in London, Dublin and Glasgow which are the major cities. While in UK, expect to see many tourist attraction sites that includes, palaces, castles, cottages, museums, the famous river Thames in London, and many more other world famed areas. There are many world class luxurious hotels, hostels, and camp outs for accommodation found in various parts of UK that one should know about. Also there many entertainment venues and many other things which must obviously be new to anyone visiting for the first time.

Consultation of relevant maps and guides about UK and its constituent states would be useful. The maps would help by identifying which place one intends to visit and all relevant features that would enable any visitor navigate his way around without any problem. The maps and guides are a great help especially for the first time visitors who need to know their way around for the first time.

To make one’s visit more enjoyable, it is advisable to get as much information on travel tips including means of travel, getting around the place or city of travel, accommodation, and many other useful tips. Planning ahead before making the first trip to UK is very important. This would help in ascertaining where to stay like hotels, hostels and the cost, available food and drinks, and many more other relevant places or sites.

When visiting the UK one has to know the communication systems in order to get around without much difficulty. For instance in Ireland the largest high speed network the Three Ireland Contact is useful in helping visitors communicate effectively whilst in the UK. While in the UK one must also know the various help centers where one can seek any assistance from when in need.

There are areas in UK with diverse culture from across the globe and anyone visiting the place must know how to interact. It is also important for one to get acquainted with the English culture for this would enhance free interaction and make the visit more enjoyable.

Ein Blogbeitrag von Mirjam Hoogerman, ÖW Niederlande

In den Niederlanden regnet es an rund 280 Tagen im Jahr. Man kann sich gut vorstellen, dass das nicht sonderlich beliebt ist bei den Niederländern. Daher war das Team der ÖW nach einem stark verregneten Wochenende im Mai DIE Rettung für Regenmuffel. 40 Hostessen brachten ab 7 Uhr „Glück“ und waren damit perfekte Botschafter/-innen für österreichische Gastgeberqualitäten. Bei strömenden Regen begleiteten sie Passant/-innen beim Amsterdamer World Trade Center mit einem Östereich-Schirm von Bus/Metro/Zug/Taxi/Straßenbahn  zu ihrem Zielort bzw. Arbeitsplatz.

Nach kurzem Smalltalk über Urlaubspläne und den Sommer in Österreich erhielten die Gäste zum Abschied ein Österreich-Sackerl mit einem Österreich-Regenschirm, einer Tube Sonnencreme von Ultrasun, die aktuelle Broschüre “Sommerglücksmomente” und Milka-Pops. Die ersten 1.000 Sackerl waren bereits nach einer Stunde verteilt. Die schlechte Stimmung der Niederländer/-innen bei derartigen Wetterbedingungen lockerte sich durch diese überraschende und sympathische Geste wie von selber.  

Normalerweise hofft man bei Outdoor-Events ja auf schönes Wetter, diesmal war’s jedoch umgekehrt mit den besorgten Blicken auf den Wetterbericht. Denn sieben Wochen dauert das Genehmigungsverfahren bei der Behörde und bei einer Terminänderung wegen Schönwetters (!) hätte ein neuer Antrag gestellt werden müssen, samt neuerlicher Kosten. Die Aktion wurde über Facebook verbreitet und es gab viele sehr positive Rückmeldungen.

Zur ÖW Presseaussendung geht’s -> hier.

Mehr Informationen über Marketingaktivitäten der ÖW Niederlande finden Sie hier.

This week we’re setting our sights on a mid-year minibreak full of rest, relaxation and retail therapy. Celebrate the solstice with a stay in the heart of Hong Kong, at boutique city hotel Ovolo 2 Arbuthnot Road.

Style Futuristic city slicker
Setting In-the-thick-of-it Central

Why this week? Take cue from the changing weather and skip town for a new season shopping spree. Forward planners can take advantage of Smith’s exclusive advance purchase offer, valid for stays before 31 December 2013. Book at least 21 days before your arrival to receive 15 per cent off room rates, plus free breakfast at Café O, use of the 24-hour gym, and a happy-hour drink on the house.

Our favourite bits Smack bang in the middle of the buzzing Hong Kong, stylish Ovolo 2 Arbuthnot Road is the perfect base to set out from on a city expedition. Hit Sheung Wan for boutiques and galleries; go heirloom-hunting in Hollywood Road’s antique shops and flea markets; or splurge on designer threads aplenty in Central and Admirality. All that pavement-pounding is bound to leave you thirsty, so head to sky high Azure Bar for post-purchasing cocktails and spectacular cityscape views.

Mr & Mrs Smith say… ‘Working a muted palette of metallics, brown and beige, the Executive Deluxe rooms feel sleekly modern and spacious and will be your oasis in Hong Kong. Beds are seriously comfy, with appealing linen, and there’s a slick desk, but it’s the bathrooms that are the real highlight, combining sumptuous marbles, tactile furnishings and hits of natural woods. We heart the wide-brimmed shower and Malin+Goetz toiletries.’

Find more boutique hotels in Hong Kong, or browse our other hotel offers…

*Copy compiled by Sophie Young

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View of the Mosel from the Castle at Cochem

Our journey took from Basel in Switzerland, the city of public sculptures and fountains where we embarked the Amadeus Princess, which took us to the city of Strasbourg where we learned how the local people have lived for centuries with the uncertainty of whether they would be citizens of France one week or citizens of Germany the next. We enjoyed our visit to a family run vineyard where we tasted a few different Alsace wines with a view over the vineyards behind the property. Next stop was Speyer where we found the crypt in the cathedral where many of the kings and emperors of Germany are buried and had a look around the famous university town of Heidelberg with the ruined castle on the hill.

At Rüdesheim we were charmed by the organs and music boxes in the Music Museum before the boat sailed down the stretch of the Middle Rhine that is known for the castles and the Loreley rock, where the beautiful siren’s song may distract the unwary sailor. At Koblenz we found that while Brussels has its Manneken Pis, this town has a fountain of a spitting boy that has become its symbol. A detour along the Mosel river took us to Cochem where we visited another of those picturesque castles on the hill and borrowed bikes from the Amadeus Princess for a cycle along the river. Finally our journey ended in Cologne, where we visited the famous cathedral, with a sweet ending at the chocolate museum. While we had to get back to work, the ship continued to Amsterdam with views of the windmills and a cruise on the city canals.

To enjoy my instagram photo diary below, hover over each photo for my commentary. If can’t see the photos, click here to view them on my blog.

For more stories from our Rhine River Cruise

While I was on our Rhine River Cruise I also posted a daily account of our journey at the Online Travel Journal – Read my 6 part series on Cruising the Rhine.

My thanks to Lüftner Cruises who hosted my Rhine River Cruise – Lüftner Cruises specialise in European river cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and other destinations in Europe, with personal service and Austrian hospitality. You can also follow them on their Facebook Page. I travelled on the Amadeus Princess on a 7 day Classical Rhine Cruise which travelled from Basel to Amsterdam, although we disembarked at Cologne.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

No, we’re not talking about Norwich City Football Club’s last minute triumph to stay firmly in the English Premier League; we’re referring to the resurgence of the Canary Islands’ popularity. With the weather in northern and western Europe a long way off from boiling point, families are rightly looking south for a guaranteed sunny escape. With over ten islands to choose from and plenty of confusion about what to expect from Europe’s most southerly islands, here’s our guide to understanding which Canary Island is best suited to you and your family holiday.

Tenerife is for everything and everyone

ianus

The largest of the Islas Canarias, Tenerife has it all; beaches, mountains, cities, villages and many a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. You can hide away in a luxury holiday villa close to the foot of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, or base yourself in the midst of it all in a city-slicking apartment with sea views in the cosmopolitan Santa Cruz. Thanks to a determined Atlantic breeze, Tenerife also has some of the best kite surfing and windsurfing opportunities. For those who prefer activities of slightly lower impact, you can take your pick from waterparks, theme parks, historic sights like the excavations of the Pyramids of Güímar and of course, miles of sunny beaches. No matter your age or extreme activity threshold, Tenerife will deliver.

Gran Canaria is for explorers

Gemelosrt

Arguably the most misunderstood of the Canaries, Gran Canaria has a reputation for the package holiday and tackier beach break, however, there is much more to this island. From the dramatic sand dunes of Maspalomas – just metres from the beach and Europe’s most southernly point – to the ravaged volcanic landscape that you can explore on long (or short) walks or bike rides, the island is waiting to be explored. Gran Canaria is also home to hundreds of beaches and many very accommodating beachfront apartments like this sunny penthouse in Playa de Arianga or this family home away from it all in Telde. Be sure to make the kids’ holiday by including a day trip to Aqualand water park, though be warned grown ups could end up enjoying this too.

Fuerteventura is for beach babes

JrGMontero

Comparatively flat and lacking in hiking or trekking opportunities, the appeal of Fuerteventura can be found along its coastline, where miles of white, sandy beaches promise long, hot, lazy days. The water is welcomingly clear, meaning excellent diving or snorkeling opportunities and a reliable wind means watersports can also be enjoyed on Fuertaventura if you did reach your beach-bumming limit. Seek out the authentic town of Jandia for its lively street market and for some offshore exploring head across the water to Lobos, a small mostly uninhabited island off the coast of Corralejo. For accommodation, you can choose from a modern apartment with sea views for two or a relaxing family home complete with private swimming pool.

Lanzarote is for other worldly landscape (and film lovers)

catlovers

Famously arid and home to those striking black sand beaches, Lanzarote is often overlooked as a barren place with little to offer holidaymakers but sunshine and sea. Lanzarote has often been described as ‘lunar’ thanks to its dry, black volcanic rock and when you cast your eyes on the bright white villages that clash with this, it’s an almost other-worldly experience. In fact, space-inspired films like One Million Years BC were filmed there. See our Flickr Friday post about the island for more photos from Lanzarote and read about the UNESCO Biosphere that protects its beautiful beaches. Enjoy amazing views from this eco-farm in the La Carona nature reserve or splash out on a modern luxury villa in El Cable for the whole family.

La Palma is for eco-travellers and a very different holiday 

bocata

If Tenerife is for tourists, La Palma is for travellers. This island is mostly free from skyscrapers and it doesn’t host the same number of holidaymakers as its neighbouring brothers and sisters. Many come here, therefore, to take advantage of this and explore a very different landscape and pace of life. Its formation from a volcanic explosion means the island is covered in richly green tropical flora and fauna making it a hub for nature and wildlife treks. Of course, there are still beaches to lie on too. In fact you could stay within stumbling distance of one of them in this balcony apartment or surround yourself with greenery with this beautiful garden villa. Just remember to look up at night to see a wonderful display of stars. Thanks to clear skies La Palma is also an astronomer’s dream holiday destination.

The best news is no matter your island or holiday preference, you will be guaranteed delicious Canarian and Spanish tapas, affordable and varied day trips and of course, that all-important summer sunshine.

Featured image by Falk Bayer.

Ein Blogbeitrag von Martina Jamnig, ÖW Großbritannien

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Um Londonern den Wochenauftakt etwas zu erleichtern, hat sich die ÖW Großbritannien eine musikalisch-kulinarische Überraschung einfallen lassen. Im Rahmen der Sommerkampagne wurde in der Liverpool Street Station, dem stark frequentierten Hub für City Worker, ein Stück Österreich präsentiert. Saxophon-Spieler in Lederhosen verblüfften Pendler/-innen zunächst in der U-Bahn mit einer modernen Version von Klassikern aus „Sound of Music“, bevor sie in der Liverpool Street Station zusammentrafen und weitere Songs zum Besten gaben. Standing Ovation bekam die Jazzversion des ÖW Corporate Sounds, der von den Musikern „Lederhosen Love“ genannt wird.

Unterstützt wurden die Musiker von charmanten österreichischen Dirndln, die den Londonern den Montagmorgen mit einem „Guten Morgen Kipferl“, mit Ideen für einen Sommerurlaub in Österreich und einem Lächeln versüßten. Und Londons sonst so gestresste Pendler lächelten zurück. Also doch: Monday Monday, so good to me!

Mehr Informationen über Marketingaktivitäten der ÖW Großbritannien finden Sie hier.