From April 4 in Vienna

Styrian charm offensive attracts holidaymakers to the country

(Bild: Juergen Hammerschmid)

Culinary delights, a Gaude, customs and entertainment: for the 25th time, the Styrians are bringing spring to Vienna and turning the Rathausplatz into a white and green village for four days. For the anniversary, everything gets a little more colorful and bigger, from Blochziehen to yodeling.

The first time in 1996, it was still more of a small "regular customer festival" for Styria's most important vacation guest - but now the Styrian Spring is breaking all dimensions, is eagerly awaited in the federal capital and (temporarily canceled due to the pandemic) is even bigger for the 25th time. 1700 Styrians on site at the Rathausplatz act as hosts, the focus is on what we do best, culinary delights, fun and entertainment. Shows on the enlarged stage, huge LED screens allow the regions to pass live over the heads of the visitors, and social media is also used to get young people on board.

(Bild: Christa Blümel)

"Vienna will once again become the second largest city in Styria," says Michael Feiertag, Head of Styria Tourism, looking forward to the festival. For the first time, Cafe Landtmann near the Burgtheater will also be bathed in green light and coffee will hopefully be served with the wish "Take a vacation in Styria". Popular cooking shows will take up a lot of space, even though Feiertag will probably no longer be allowed to pick up a spoon. Last year, together with super chef Richard Rauch, he messed up the potato sausage in front of a large audience.

The Wiener in figures

• 350,000 guest arrivals and one million overnight stays in Styria in summer 2023 - 12.6 percent of which were attributable to the Viennese
• After the Styrians themselves, the residents of the federal capital are our most important guests
• Their share accounts for 22 percent of domestic overnight stays
• The average length of stay remains constant at 2.9 nights
• Their favorite destinations are thermal spas, Eastern Styria, Schladming-Dachstein, Graz and Southern Styria
• The average Viennese guest is 58.2 years old
• 75 percent are regular guests
• The main activities are hiking (49%), swimming (18%) and excursions (17%)

Some tweaks have also been made - last year's appearance was a little rough in places, "this year we also have a uniform hut concept with lots of local wood," promises Feiertag.

Festival costs a six-figure sum

There's certainly a lot going on - but the spectacle also costs a six-figure sum. It is not possible to calculate the number of visitors it brings, "but it is of great importance for tourism, because the Viennese are among our most important guests," says Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Provincial Councillor for Tourism.