Many hotel bosses expect summer overnights increase

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Business

The Austrian tourism industry is in an optimistic mood as more than four in ten hotel managers expect more overnights this summer.Thomas Reisenzahn, general secretary of Austrian Hotel Industry Association (ÖHV), said today (Thurs) 41 per cent of hoteliers are braced for more guests this season compared to last summer.He stressed only 13 per cent […]

Soaring interest in safe investments sends up flat prices

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Business

Flat prices jumped in “crisis year” 2009 as many see condominiums as a safe haven for their money, according to a business expert.Thomas Malloth, head of the Federal Economic Chamber’s (WKO) real estate department said today (Weds) the value of owner-occupied flats rose by 3.5 per cent from 2008 to 2009.”Strong demand, especially in conglomerations, […]

Supermarket chain launches hydro power cooperation

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Business

Customers of an Austrian supermarket chain will be able to order hydro energy supply while buying their foodstuff.Bosses at Merkur said today (Tues) shoppers would be offered contracts with Styrian provider Unsere Wasserkraft, a subsidiary of Energie Steiermark, at its shops as of now.Merkur is part of the German Rewe Group which also includes market-leading […]

Vast majority back tax on assets, poll shows

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Politics

More than seven in ten are in support of the introduction of a tax on assets, a new study has found.Public opinion research agency Karmasin has found that 72 per cent of Austrians backed the possible new tax, while only 18 per cent rate the suggestion a “bad idea”.This result – revealed by a poll […]

Kapsch TrafficCom earnings jump

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Business

Austrian IT firm Kapsch TrafficCom AG has reported a rise in earnings.The road toll specialist said today (Fri) net earnings soared from 16.4 million Euros to 36.5 million Euros year on year in the 2009/2010 business year.The company – which is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (WBAG) – also said turnover improved by eight […]

AUA summer holiday ticket price hike ahead, say reports

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Business

Austrian Airlines (AUA) and Lufthansa are considering raising their ticket prices this summer, according to reports.Austrian business media write today (Fri) that tickets for continental flights by AUA will cost between 10 Euros and 20 Euros more from 1 July, while Lufthansa ticket prices will be upped by 22 June.Reports also have it that the […]

US Ambassador makes investment appeal

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Business

The US Ambassador to Vienna has encouraged Austrian firms to invest in the USA.William C. Eacho said at a Vienna business event hosted by the Austrian Economy Chamber’s (WKO) Foreign Trade Department (AWO) yesterday (Thurs) that the US economy would continue to recover.”(US President Barack) Obama’s long-term reforms will bring the country back on track […]

Austrian car fuel prices below European average

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Business

Austrian car petrol prices are lower than the European average.German motorists association ACE Auto Club Europa said today (Fri) Turkey topped the ranking with an average 1.88 Euros for one litre of petrol. It said fuel was cheapest in Russia where drivers pay just around 81 cents.ACE Auto Club Europa said car petrol cost an […]

Austrian textiles industry stitches its wounds

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Business

The Austrian textiles industry is hoping for better times ahead after registering a dramatic decline in turnover last year.Official figures presented today (Fri) show the industry was confronted with a 20 per cent year on year drop in turnover in 2009 to 2.05 billion Euros. Statistics also show that the number of staff employed in […]

New Catholic priests figures in decline

Categories
General News

Fewer Austrians decided to become Catholic priests in the first half of this year than in 2009 as the church’s crisis continues.Church officials said today (Thurs) 24 men will be consecrated priests in 2010 by the end of this month. They said 33 consecrations took place in the first six months of last year.The Austrian […]