Austrian minister and state secretary visit advantage austria

17. June 2024

On the occasion of the opening of the new Austrian National Tourism Office in The Hague, Austrian Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher, State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler and Director of the Austrian National Tourism Office Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger travelled to the Netherlands.

© Copyright Dhr. J Snijders / Österreich Werbung

The 20-member delegation of leading Austrian tourism experts included renowned guests such as Toni Mörwarld (Mörwald), Erich Falkensteiner ( FMTG), Michaela Reitterer (Boutique Hotel Stadthalle), Stefan Isser (Swarovski) and Klaus Panholzer (Schloss Schönbrunn).

During the opening ceremony, Ms Jacoba van Dongen of De Jong Intra Vakanties received the Silver Medal of Merit of the Republic of Austria for her years of decisive commitment to tourism relations between the Netherlands and Austria.

Austrian Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs, Martin Kocher, presents the Silver Medal of Merit of the Republic of Austria to Ms Jacoba van Dongen of De Jong Intra Vakanties for her long-standing commitment to tourism relations between the Netherlands and Austria. © Copyright Dhr. J Snijders / Österreich Werbung

The new office of the National Austrian Tourist Office in the Netherlands is located in the same building as ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA in The Hague. This gave the delegation the opportunity to visit the foreign trade centre in The Hague and meet its staff. Minister Martin Kocher and the entire team were welcomed by Deputy Head of Department Astrid Fixl Pummer (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Aussenwirtschaft Austria), who was in the Netherlands on the occasion of the PLMA trade fair.

LTR: Gerolf Friesser and Martina Eicher (Project Managers, Commercial Dept., Austrian Embassy), Martin Kocher (Austrian Federal Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs), Michael Spalek (Austrian Commercial Councillor in The Hague for the BENELUX) , Astrid Fixl-Pummer (Deputy Head of Department, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA) and Andreas Rodler and Bettina Theresia Lim (Project Managers, Commercial Dept., Austrian Embassy). <br />
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<br /> © ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

A visit to the NBTC (Netherlands Board of Tourism) was also scheduled. NBTC represents the project dealing with the theme "Design New Tourism". The projects are promoting rural vitality, redeveloping vacant properties, creating sustainable nature, creating sustainable access and ensuring quality of life for residents.

Company visit to NBTC, the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions. Reception by CEO Jos Vranken (2nd from left) and exchange of views with Ewout Versloot (2nd from right) on innovative, sustainable tourism projects and vertourism. © Copyright Dhr. J Snijders / Österreich Werbung

The programme also included a visit to Booking.com, which has grown from a small Dutch start-up into one of the world's largest travel e-commerce companies. The company offers more than 28 million different types of accommodation, making it easier for everyone to experience the world. It is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Visiting Booking.com © Copyright Dhr. J Snijders / Österreich Werbung

The new underground bicycle parking facility Stationsplein in Amsterdam was also visited. The world's only underwater parking garage for bicycles was opened in Amsterdam this year. There are now more than 11,000 underground parking spaces just for bikes at Central Station, which should help to further increase bicycle use and reduce bicycle parking in public spaces.

Visit and tour of the world's only underwater bike park in Amsterdam. © Copyright Dhr. J Snijders / Österreich Werbung

The day ended with a dinner with decision-makers from business and politics at the famous restaurant Atelier Wolf. As a fun anecdote, it should be mentioned that Mr Michael Wolf of Atelier Wolf completed his training with Toni Mörwald, among others.

The next day, another PR & media exchange for Minister Martin Kocher and Managing Director Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger of the Austrian Tourist Board took place at Hotel VOCO, after which they made their way to Schiphol Airport for the return flight to Austria.