November 22, 2023

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November 22, 2023

Austrian tourism wants to benefit from Interreg projects

"Cross-border projects are not only an important instrument of regional development, but tourism also benefits from European networks. With this event, we want to draw attention to the broad spectrum of tourism-related EU Interreg projects. It is important to us that the valuable content is taken up by companies and destinations and used in the best possible way in the spirit of Plan T. At the same time, we are making a contribution to the implementation of the EU Alpine Space Strategy," said State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler at the event. "Not least because of its geographical location, Salzburg has always had a great interest in cross-border cooperation. Over many years, cooperation with other regions in the Alps has become a major source of inspiration. In tourism in particular, these EU projects have enabled innovative approaches to sustainable tourism development and helped to find joint answers to the challenges facing the industry - such as changing guest needs, climate change, sustainability, digital change, and a shortage of skilled workers. Salzburg institutions are sought-after partners in cross-border EU projects. And I am pleased that the results of these projects are being presented to a broad audience today and will provide food for thought for further initiatives that will help secure and strengthen this important economic sector," said Brigitta Pallauf, President of the Salzburg State Parliament. At the event organized by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics in cooperation with Innovation Salzburg and the Paracelsus Medical University on November 21, 2023, there was a concentrated overview of the applicability of the results of more than 20 projects in the areas of cultural, nature and health tourism, accessibility, mobility, digitization, climate change, skilled workers and sustainable destination development, among others.

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Bulgaria wants to expand wellness tourism

The EU member state Bulgaria wants to promote health and wellness tourism. Over 2.000 springs, natural resources such as sea salt, healing mud and herbs as well as a favorable climate on the Black Sea coast and in the mountain regions are the basis for this. Modern therapy and wellness centers, European standards at lower prices, good flight connections all year round and a wide range of tourist offers should also attract more Austrians to the Balkan state. The Bulgarian Association for Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA), a member of the European Spas Association, together with the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Embassy in Vienna, is presenting the special features and offers for health and wellness tourism. Bulgaria is the second largest mineral spring country in Europe after Iceland and has been known for its healing springs since ancient times. In total, there are more than 550 natural water springs and around 1.600 thermal springs throughout the country. The ancient Thracians already used the many thermal springs, which were known throughout the Roman Empire as the "holy springs of Thrace". This knowledge was also applied in the Ottoman Empire. While the mineral springs in the south of the country are influenced by the Mediterranean climate, the springs in the north bubble with crystal-clear mountain water - the best conditions for balneology, the study of the therapeutic use of natural healing springs, medicinal gases and peloids in the form of baths, drinking cures and inhalations. The modern and upscale spa hotels, spas and health resorts offer excellent accommodation, trained (German and English-speaking) staff and a wide range of treatments - from mineral baths and massages to reflexology, aromatherapy, apitherapy (with honey), slimming and anti-stress programs and much more. The good price-performance ratio in terms of stay, treatments and travel costs,

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Cologne Airport is building a new substation

Cologne/Bonn Airport is building a new substation at a cost of 7,8 million euros. This is due to go into operation in the middle of next year. The shell of the modern substation has already been completed, and the interior work is currently underway. From January, the switchgear and two transformers, each weighing around 400 tons, which form the heart of the pioneering facility, will be installed in the 86 square meter building. "With the new substation, we are creating an important technical prerequisite for continuously advancing the energy supply with renewable energy," says Thilo Schmid, CEO of Cologne/Bonn Airport GmbH. "We need this high-performance facility to expand e-mobility and to further increase the proportion of renewable energy in the future," says Schmid. The airport already produces electricity using its own PV systems.

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Upper Austria Tourism Day marks the starting signal for the implementation of the state tourism strategy 2030

On November 300, 20 guests accepted the invitation from the State of Upper Austria, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Upper Austria Tourism to the "Upper Austria Tourism Day 2023" in Linz. The new state tourism strategy 2030 was presented at the industry event of the Upper Austrian tourism industry under the motto "Tourism.Future.Upper Austria". "The state tourism strategy 2030 is a qualitative growth strategy for the tourism industry in Upper Austria. It embeds the economic goal of increasing tourism value creation in a multidimensional set of goals that also includes market goals, ecological and social goals as well as smartness and innovation goals. The major transformation drivers of our time, sustainability and digitization, span all milestones of the new strategy as basic principles of tourism action," summarizes State Councilor for Economic Affairs and Tourism Markus Achleitner. Four milestones define the fields of action in which the strategic specifications are implemented. In a joint effort by all tourism system partners, the aim is to shape the leisure and recreation area of ​​Upper Austria with attractive offers and motifs, to fuel the dynamics of employees and entrepreneurs, to powerfully charge the Upper Austria brand and to effectively increase the efficiency of tourism structures and organizations. "Our goal of becoming one of the most sustainable tourism countries also means broad involvement of everyone: from those responsible for tourism to companies and their employees to the population and guests. Upper Austria's state tourism strategy 2030 is particularly forward-looking in this regard; it reflects everyone's perspectives," praises State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler. 

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Austrian Airlines advertises at the Hahnenkamm race

The airline Austrian Airlines is using the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel for extensive advertising measures. It will act as a so-called premium partner of the event. AUA has announced a multi-year partnership with the renowned Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel. This collaboration will help shape the highlight of the alpine ski calendar and international winter sports for years to come. CCO Michael Trestl: "We are delighted that the "Hahnenkamm" will shine in Austrian red this year and look forward to a promising collaboration in the coming years!"

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Zurich: Edelweiss celebrates its first flight to Colombia

The holiday airline Edelweiss launched a new route from Zurich via Bogotá to Cartagena on November 22, 2023. This event was celebrated with the traditional ribbon cutting at Gate D43 of Zurich Airport. Francisco Javier Echeverri Lara, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Switzerland, and Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, cut the ribbon together with the crew. The new route will be served with Airbus A2023s on Wednesdays and Sundays until the end of May 340.

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Ethiopian wants even more Airbus A350

During the Dubai Air Show, Ethiopian Airlines signed a letter of intent to purchase eleven Airbus A350-900s. This would increase the order backlog to 33 aircraft of this type, including four A350-1000s. During the show, the carrier also ordered eleven Boeing 787-9s and 20 B737-Max-8s. The airline also secured 15 options for the former type and 21 purchase rights for the medium-haul jets.  

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Widerøe takes on Bergen-Brussels

The Norwegian airline Widerøe has announced the launch of a non-stop connection between Brussels and Bergen. This is to be operated from April 12, 2024. Initially, two weekly rotations will be offered, each on Mondays and Fridays. "We are very pleased to be able to offer this direct connection to the Norwegian fjords. Bergen offers a breathtaking variety of cultural and historical experiences to impressive scenery. With this new flight connection, it will also be easy to visit the majestic fjord landscape," says Kristin Gaustad, Widerøe's Sales and Marketing Manager, Leisure Travel. 

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Volotea expands its Verona base

The Spanish low-cost airline Volotea has announced that the Verona base will be expanded to three Airbus A2023s in the 320 summer flight schedule. At the same time, it was announced that the destinations Prague, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Valencia, Madrid and Comiso will be offered from Verona in the 2024 summer flight schedule. A total of 19 destinations will be served, eight of which are domestic destinations. 

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Flixbus does not want to sue against the exclusion of network cards in Austria and Germany

The long-distance bus operator Flixbus hopes that it will be included in the 49-euro ticket in Germany and the climate ticket in Austria. In this regard, the company is in “good discussions” with the politically responsible people, according to a company spokesperson. In contrast to Germany, Flixbus does not hold a single national route concession in Austria. Blaguss Reisen is the concessionaire for the now discontinued domestic routes Klagenfurt-Vienna, Graz-Linz and Graz-Salzburg. Dr. Richard holds the permits for Graz-Vienna and Graz-Vienna Airport. Both companies criticize the fact that the Ministry of Transport is not interested in including national long-distance bus connections in the climate ticket. Blaguss Reisen has discontinued the routes for economic reasons and now sees no further possibility of including such routes in the climate ticket on its own. Dr. Richard also reports a decline in passenger numbers. Since the Flixbus brand is owned by both Blaguss Reisen and Dr. Richard is only used as a sales brand on the routes within Austria, but the entire operation is carried out independently, the German group's influence is very limited anyway. At most, it might have a say in sales issues. Flixbus wants to grow permanently, but has no plans for Austria According to a Flixbus spokesman, the only national routes in Austria are from Graz via Pinggau to Vienna or to Vienna-Schwechat Airport. These are operated by the bus company Dr. Richard, which holds the concession. Competitor Blaguss Reisen gave up its Flixbus routes within Austria a few weeks ago. When asked what Flixbus' official view is on the fact that in Austria you are excluded from the climate ticket just as you are excluded from the 49-euro ticket in Germany, a spokesman told Aviation.Direct: "Long-distance buses would

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