VIENNA TOURIST BOARD gets a new Director Norbert Kettner, Managing Director, Vienna Tourist Board

Mr Norbert Kettner is the newly appointed Managing Director of the Vienna Tourist Board and he wishes to build on Vienna's powerful image as a "beautiful city with a great history" by harnessing its qualities as a "creative city" and "powerhouse of innovation".

In his first media event as Managing Director of the Vienna Tourist Board, Kettner underscored his wish to see Vienna's image and the expectations made of it increasingly reflect the vibrancy of modern-day reality in the city. He values the way in recent years that Vienna has succeeded in positioning itself as a destination which is a "springboard of economic, social and cultural innovation". Kettner believes Vienna 's image as a "beautiful city with a great history" to be so internationally strong that the city's inherent creativity and vast innovative potential largely go unnoticed. He would therefore like to heighten international awareness of Vienna's creative potential and vitality .

Austria gears up for EURO 2008
Vienna has witnessed a fourth record year in succession in terms of the growth that the city has seen in the increase in the number of overnight figures in 2007. The latest statistics published by the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and UIA (Union of International Associations) respectively ranked the Austrian capital first and second most popular international conference destination in the world in 2006. Only very recently, Vienna hosted the European Society of Cardiology's ESC Congress with an attendance of 31,000.

Vienna will be Europe's capital of soccer for UEFA EURO 2008. Seven games in the tournament including a semi-final and the final are due to be played in the Austrian capital ( June 7-29, 2008). The tourism marketing effort is already well underway.

Kettner notes: "This is a unique opportunity that we will capitalize on. Sporting the slogan 'Live Life, Love Sports' the Vienna Tourist Board is targeting soccer fans as well as visitors simply wishing to enjoy some exhilarating fun and action, and in so doing experience our city as a 'feel-good machine'."

Austrian Airlines Organizes Corporate Cricket Sixes Tournament

Austrian Airlines held their Inaugural Austrian Corporate Sixes Tournament for the Corporates at the Islam Gymkhana on the 14th Oct 07. It was for the first time that any airline has held a Cricket Sixes Tournament for their Top valued Corporates. The Tournament featured Top Corporates which included Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. , Cape Gemini Consulting India Pvt. Ltd.,Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Siemens Ltd.,Hexaware Techologies Ltd.,Maersk India Pvt. Ltd , Bayer CropScience and Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Tata Consultancy Services emerged as Winners beating Cap Gemini in a closely fought encounter. The Tournament was well received by the Corporates and was a roaring success!

After e-ticketing, it’s time for mobile check-in

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a global standard that paves the way for global mobile phone check-in using two-dimensional (2D) bar codes which will be directly transmitted to a passenger's mobile phone, personal digital assistant or smart phone. The bar code becomes the passenger's boarding pass and it is read directly from the screen of the mobile device, eliminating paper completely from the check-in process.

"Passengers want the convenience of self-service options in a paperless environment. This standard is an important step in getting rid of paper that bogs down processes and drives up costs," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Historically, airline global applications for mobile phone technology have been restricted due to different regional formats. The IATA standard uses existing codes: Aztec and Datamatrix, which are used extensively in Europe and North America; and QR which is widely used in Japan. All three are proven technologies and can be read by a single scanner type that is cost effective and readily available globally.

"The creation of a standard code is only part of the solution," said Bisignani. "In the next months we will be working with our members to develop standardised processes and guidelines that facilitate global implementation."

The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). Upon full implementation, BCBP will save the industry over US$500 million annually. A 2D standard for paper bar coded boarding passes was established in 2005 and is the basis for web check-in. Both standards (mobile and paper based) can be issued and accepted by airlines worldwide.

SHOPPING TIPS for those travelling down under

Shop at award winning Harbour Town with savings of up to 60% below normal retail prices and over 120 brand-direct outlet stores.

AUSTRALIA'S outlet shopping success story, Harbour Town, is going from strength to strength with a second major expansion of the Gold Coast centre just completed, more great brands added at Adelaide and Perth, and a string of industry awards under its belt. Australia's Harbour Town outlet shopping phenomenon began in 1999 on Queensland's Gold Coast, introducing a 'shopping adventure' experience in a one-stop destination where stylish designer fashion and homewares outlets sell for up to 60 per cent below regular retail prices every day. 

With top national and international brand outlets amassed in one exciting attraction, Harbour Town was an instant hit with leisure shoppers, and the concept spread.  In late 2003, Harbour Town outlet centres opened in South Australia's Adelaide Airport precinct and at West Perth in Western Australia. The centres have collected many design and development awards, including a prestigious Queensland Tourism Award for excellence in tourism retailing and multiple accolades for presentation, marketing and environmental excellence from peak national and international tourism, shopping centre and property industry bodies. 

Building on that success, the Harbour Town outlet shopping adventure is still growing.  Owners, The Lewis Land Group of Companies and ING Real Estate, say additional outlet shopping facilities have been provided at both the Gold Coast and Adelaide centres to meet growing demand, while major international brands have been added to enhance the Perth attraction.  “Extensions were always anticipated but, due to the tremendous success of the concept, expansion has come about sooner than expected,” said Harbour Town national tourism sales manager Lidia Latimer.  “It consolidates Harbour Town's position as a number one  tourism attraction.” 

“Harbour Town Gold Coast attracts more than six million shoppers per year, over half of which includes 620,000 international tourists,” Ms Latimer said.  “Research shows shopping is now regarded by the majority of tourists as a primary leisure activity, so it is vital Harbour Town continually evolves to cater to their needs.” 

With their prime city or beachside locations and huge range of brand direct outlets, the Harbour Town centres are akin to shopping theme parks, integrating top value outlet shopping with entertainment, al fresco dining and selected services like beauty salons and convenience stores.  Creative and stylish shops, shady boulevards and open plazas, cool fountains and lush landscaping add to the appeal. Harbour Town Adelaide expanded by adding a further 30 outlets plus restaurants and cafes.  Now with more than 90 outlets, the South Australian shopping attraction includes some of the leading local and international brands. In Perth, Harbour Town now boasts more than 100 outlets, with a giant 720sqm Nike Factory Store and 700sqm Adidas outlet among its most significant.  In the past 12 months, popular new brand openings have included Levis, Ron Bennett, Ojay and Jacqui E. 

Harbour Town's Gold Coast brand line-up reads like a who's who of international and signature Australian designer brands and labels: iconic Australian outfitters Driza-Bone and R.M. Williams, quality Rodd & Gunn apparel, global children's label Pumpkin Patch, surf supremo Rip Curl, leading French lingerie label, Simone Perele, and Lonsdale London sports and leisure wear. Ms Latimer advised international shoppers, who may not be familiar with some of the outlet store names, to venture inside where they will most certainly recognise the famous brands on sale every day. A huge drawcard is Leading Labels, a clearance house for retail conglomerate Pacific Brands Limited whose brands include Bonds, Berlei, Holeproof and Tontine. 

Harbour Town centres have so many big names covered  Calvin Klein, Lisa Ho, Rivers, Mambo and City Beach Surf are firm favourites, as are quality names in homewares and gifts, Sheridan, Villeroy & Boch, Royal Doulton and Oneida, and a range of perfume and jewellery outlets. Tour groups and individual travellers are greeted in modern Harbour Town Tourism Lounges, where a special Tourism Club Card provides even further discounts on already reduced outlet prices and facilities include information, tour bookings, internet, refreshments and an international prayer room. 

For package tour and conference organisers, a range of shopping programs is offered, including half-day tours with either a champagne welcome, refreshments or lunch.  Harbour Town Gold Coast, which boasts the resort city's largest cinema complex, also provides a special 'shop and stop' package which includes a private movie screening in Reading Cinemas' luxury Gold Lounge theatres.

 “The feedback from travel industry professionals has been very positive because it is the ideal destination to recommend for shopping, break-out, free day and complimentary options as part of their clients' packages,” Ms Latimer said. “Both domestic and international visitors delight in the value and variety.  Harbour Town centres are sensitive to the needs of their many visitors from around the world, and a wide range of restaurants and cafes caters for diverse tastes and traditions.” Harbour Town Gold Coast is located just 15 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, Australia's premier beach resort destination.  In Adelaide, Harbour Town is handy to the airport and South Australia's famous Glenelg beach precinct, while Harbour Town Perth is within walking distance of the city centre.

Harbour Town outlet shopping centres are open every day, with direct transfers available from hotels and apartments. For further details visit www.harbourtownshopping.com.au

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