Business trip to Vienna, Austria.
Vienna is the home of momentous firms in the banking, insurance and manufacturing sectors. The most important products produced in Vienna include machinery, metal products, electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles, clothing, printed materials and paper.
85 percent of the workplaces in Vienna operate in the service sector and one of the most important employers is the city of Vienna itself. As Vienna is the capital of Austria, many national administrative agencies, universities, schools and embassies are located in Vienna.
As a UN city, Vienna is also the seat of international organizations and agencies. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and other international associations are located in Vienna.
Read more...Vienna’s most important growth pillars in 2005 were tourism with a new record increase of 5,4 percent in overnight stays, power supply (+11,7%), goods production and the powerful services sector with growth rates of up to 4,3 percent especially in high-tech fields.
Forty percent of the city’s area is commited to Vienna’s agricultural sector, which produces enough vegetables to feed it’s own city population.
Corporate conventions and congresses play an important role in Vienna’s economy. According to the Vienna Tourist Board, this activity alone accounts for approximately 9 percent of overnight stays.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names and academic titles.
Always use the formal word for you ’Sie’ unless invited to use ’Du’.
Austrians are direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
Dress formal and conservative. - Meetings and negotiations:
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Some time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Austria, with a population of 8,3 million, is a dynamic EU member country. Austria is an international crossroads, bordering on eight European countries: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Liechtenstein. Four of Austria’s neighbors joined the EU in May 2004 (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary), transforming Austria geographically from a country on the eastern frontier of the EU to one occupying a more central position in the enlarged EU.
The addition of two other Eastern European countries, Romania and Bulgaria, as new EU members at the beginning of 2007 strengthened Austria’s central position. Austria is a member of the Schengen agreement and offers companies access to growing markets in the new EU frontier of Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
The country has financial and transportation links to the Eastern European and Balkan region, and its banks and service providers understand regional business practices. Austria is well-diversified and relatively resilient economy. The Austrian government has sought to remain competitive by pursuing investment in high-potential industries such as telecommunications, non-agricultural biotechnology, medical and pharmaceutical research, and electronics.
Under pressure from the newest EU members, which offer lower corporate tax rates, Austria lowered its corporate tax rate in 2005 from 34% to 25%. This step reflected a commitment by the government to compete with its new EU neighbors.Austria is member in the EU and the Euro currency zone. The Euro has been the common currency for Austria since 2002.
Some facts in a list:
| Currency | Euro |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Language | German |
| Population | 8.210.281 |
| Area | 83.870 sq km |
| Population density | 98 / sq km |
| GDP | € 256.930.000.000 |
| GDP/per capita | € 25675 |
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Address
Vienna International Airport
P.O. Box 1
A-1300 Vienna Airport
Austria
Telephone: +43(0)1 70070
Fax: +43(0)1 7007 23805
www.viennaairport.com
Airport codes
IATA airport code: VIE
ICAO airport code: LOWW
Lost property
You can inquire at one of the Lost&Found Counters next to the luggage conveyor belts (Gepäckausgabehalle ) on level 0 or phone your carrier or handling agent.
There are 3 luggage handlers operational on the airport. In a table on the page Lost and Found you can find the concerning phone numbers.
Terminal info
Connectivity
Train
The City Airport Train (tel: +43(0)1 25250) leaves every half hour from the underground train station to the center of Vienna (travel time is 16 minutes). If you leave from Vienna, there is the possibility to check-in for your flight at the Mitte train station. A metro line (Schnelbahn S7) also goes between the airport and the stations Mitte, Nord and Floridsdorf.
In the near future there will also be train going to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.
Taxi
Taxis are in front of the Arrivals Hall. A ride to the center of Vienna costs approximately €32.00. Ask for the special airport price or call C & K Airport Service (tel: +43(0)1 44444). Limousines with a driver can be rented through Radio Car Vienna (tel: +43(0)1 7007 33340).
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Vienna. Taxis in Vienna are reasonably priced and can be found at clearly marked taxi stands (Taxistandplätze). They won’t respond if you try to hail them on the street. Most taxis do not accept credit cards. A receipt (Rechnung) is available upon request.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Ruftaxi | +43 6765164371 |
| Pokorny Taxi | 9113437 |
| Nordpol Taxi | 3324380 |
| Sigrald Taxi | 9140442 |
| Turgut Taxi | 3749201 |
Plachutta Wollzeile
Viennese cuisine with long history
Wollzeile 38
1010 Wien
Tel: 01/512 15 77
www.plachutta.at
Indochine 21
In „Indochine 21“ you are going on a gastronomic pleasure trip to the countries Vietnam, Laos and Cambodja ("Indochina").
Stubenring 18
1010 Wien
Tel: 01/513 76 60
www.indochine.at (Only in German)
Restaurant Hansen
There’s enjoyment awaiting you in a very special place: the basement of the Stock Exchange on Vienna’s Ring. The tasteful Mediterranean atmosphere of the restaurant, with its view of luxuriant plants, terra-cottas and numerous decorative objects from Lederleitner horticulturists, is reminiscent of a Roman covered market. If you are on a business trip to Vienna, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
Wipplinger Strasse 34
1010 Wien
Tel: 01/532 05 42
www.hansen.co.at
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Vienna.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Vienna it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Vienna.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Hilton Hotel Vienna
The contemporary Hilton Vienna Plaza hotel is set in the heart of commercial Vienna, overlooking the historic Ringstrasse and decorated with more than 1000 original art works.
Am Stadtpark 1
Vienna, Austria A - 1030
Tel: 43-1-71700
More info about Hilton Hotel Vienna
Best Western Hotel Das Tigra
Best Western Hotel Das Tigra is a stylish family-run 4-star hotel boasting a great location and excellent accommodation in Vienna. Das Tigra hotel will become a perfect base to stay whether you are in town on business or enjoying a leisure trip.
Tiefer Graben 14-20
1010 Wien, Österreich
Tel: +43/(0)1/533 96 410
More info about Best Western Hotel Das Tigra
NH Hotel Wien
The hotel is furnished with comfortable suites (35-50 sqm) and offers a livable and cozy atmosphere throughout your stay or business trip in Vienna. They are equipped with a living room, sleeping room, bar/kitchenette and a large bathroom.
Mariahilfer Strasse 32-34
A-1070 Wien
Tel. +43.1.521720
More info about NH Hotel Wien
Since the end of the 1990s, four teams of star architects have been working on converting four 102-year-old gasometers into a new urban complex.
Beside the 615 modern flats and an events hall holding 4.200 people, the 22.000 m2 ground floor of the gasometer complex in the Vienna district of Simmering - once a heavily industrialized area - will also have a great shopping mall with some 70 shops.
Just 8 minutes away from the city centre (Stephansplatz) on the U3 underground line (station: Gasometer), this new El Dorado offers sheer shopping pleasure in any weather. The gigantic size of this construction project is illustrated by the fact that Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel would easily fit into each of the four 75-metre high gasometers.
During your shopping you can also go for a guided tour; you can learn everything you could know about the new architecture of the gasometers, the history of the gas works and alternate uses (from location for James Bond movies to rave events).Additional information at:
www.wiener-gasometer.at
Jugend Stil by Otto Wagner
Architect and creative genius Otto Wagner (1841-1918) was one of the great pioneers of Viennese modernism. He propagated the ideal of contemporary architecture geared to the needs of modern society. Now a special map of Vienna brings together 26 of the city’s most important Otto Wagner buildings.
The Otto Wagner City Map is the result of a joint project involving the Vienna Architecture Center, Kirche am Steinhof, Wagner Werk – Museum Postsparkasse and the Wien Museum. German and English versions of the map including building descriptions are on sale for EUR 4 at any of the above locations and from the Vienna Architecture Center’s webshop (www.azw.at). If you have enough time for sightseeing during your business trip to Vienna, I would recommended you to "take a walk".
A combination ticket granting entry to the four Viennese cultural institutions behind the Otto Wagner City Map is also available for € 12,-. The ticket is valid at the following institutions and exhibitions: a_schau. Austrian architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Vienna Architecture Center, Kirche am Steinhof, Wagner Werk – Museum Postsparkasse and the Otto Wagner Pavilion, Karlsplatz (special branch of the Vienna Museum).
Architekturzentrum Wien
MuseumsQuartier
Museumsplatz 1
7th district
www.azw.at
Kirche am Steinhof
Baumgartner Höhe 1
14th district
Wagner:Werk Museum Postsparkasse
Georg-Coch-Platz 2
1st district
www.ottowagner.com
Otto Wagner Pavillon Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz
1st district
www.wienmuseum.at
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General number | 112 |
| Police | 133 |
| Ambulance | 144 |
| Fire | 122 |
| Gas leaks | 128 |
| Alpine rescue | 140 |
| On-duty medical unit | 141 |
| Crisis-hotline | 142 |
In case of a medical emergency you can contact:
Ambulatorium Augarten, Dr. Wolfgang Molnar (medical director and U.S. Embassy panel physician), Untere Augartenstrasse 1-3/IV/1/5, 1020 Vienna, Austria, Tel. 330 34 68, homepage: http://www.ambulatorium.com, e-mail: mail@ambulatorium.com, general practitioners, acupuncture, gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, orthopedics and orthopedics surgery; accepts credit cards, English fluent.
Opening hours:
Mon, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Tues, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Wed, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 2:00 - 7:00 pm
Thurs, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Fri, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Sat & Sun, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Austrian German, or Austrian Standard German, is the national standard variety of the German language spoken in Austria and in South Tyrol (Italy).
Although in business people speak English, some German phrases can always come in hand....
| Hello | Hallo |
| Good day | Guten Tag / Morgen |
| Good evening | Guten Abend |
| Good night | Gute Nacht |
| Good bye | Auf Wiedersehen |
| Bye | Tschüß |
| See you soon | Bis bald |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nein |
| That depends | Das kommt darauf an |
| I don’t know | Ich weiß nicht |
| I don’t think so | Das glaube ich nicht |
| I suppose so | Ich nehme an |
| I think so | Ich glaube schon |
| It doesn’t matter | Es macht nichts |
| I don’t mind | Es ist mir egal / gleich |
| Of course | Natürlich |
| True | Richtig / Das ist wahr |
| With pleasure | Mit Vergnügen |
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