Vienna’s congress tourism scene really kicked into high gear in 2024. The city played host to 6,619 different congresses and corporate get-togethers, which—if you trust the Vienna Tourist Board—brought in about 1.32 billion euros for Austria. It’s impressive when you consider that this lively sector also kept nearly 23,500 jobs going all year and raked in 365 million euros in tax revenue, both numbers hitting record highs.
A Major Economic Driver
Norbert Kettner, Vienna’s Tourism Director, mentioned that the ripple effects of the local conference scene stretch well beyond the city itself, fueling growth throughout the country. Compared to 2023, Vienna saw a modest 2% rise in congress events (2,193 in total) and a slightly larger, 3% bump in corporate events (4,426 events). Interestingly, while international congresses made up just 12% of all events, they were the heavy hitters—contributing around 1.03 billion euros, drawing 39% of all participants, and accounting for nearly two-thirds of overnight stays.
Congress Tourists: High Spenders, Long Stays
In 2024, about 671,000 people took part in these events, which led to roughly 1.999 million overnight stays—a jump of 26% from the year before. What’s even more striking is that congress-goers averaged roughly 2.98 nights in Vienna, compared to the typical 2.3 nights spent by usual visitors. They also opened up their wallets a bit more, spending some 560 euros per night instead of the average 360 euros. Most of these visitors chose swankier hotels, and—according to one study—a notable 86% said they’d like to come back for a personal visit.
Focus on Specialized Congresses and Legacy Programs
The city isn’t just about numbers; it’s carving out its niche in specialized areas too. In the lead up to 2025, Vienna has lined up some major medical events—a radiology congress expecting 20,500 participants, an ESCMID microbiology meeting with about 14,500 folks, and the EASD diabetes congress drawing around 15,000 people. New buzz areas like artificial intelligence are catching attention as well. There’s also been growing interest in legacy programs that leave a mark. For example, at the European Renal Association’s congress from June 4–7, experts plan to educate students at three local schools about kidney health with follow-up sessions at the Austria Center. Similarly, the European Space Agency’s Living Planet Symposium later in June is set to feature a traveling exhibition, interactive stations, and even some live music at Karlsplatz, aiming to pull in locals and smooth the way for tourism.
Vienna’s Global Standing and Support Initiatives
Globally, Vienna continues to shine—it ranked fourth worldwide in 2023, as noted by the International Congress and Convention Association. To keep that momentum on, the Vienna Meeting Fund—born during the pandemic—keeps drawing in events, even during quieter periods. By the close of 2024, there were more than 1,200 applications for funding, with over 800 meetings approved for the period stretching from May 2021 to December 2028. Just under three million euros remain unspent out of an original 12 million euro pot.
With a unique mix of robust economic benefits, vibrant cultural outreach, and smart initiatives, Vienna seems well on its way to maintaining its position as a top spot for global congress tourism in 2025 and beyond.