Christmas markets become New Year markets in Vienna

Categories
Travel

As Christmas fades once again into the background and New Year takes precedence the Christmas markets in the capital Vienna have transformed overnight into New Year markets. There are now officially five New Year markets which sell a range of lucky charms and fireworks and these have been joined by 336 street stalls that are […]

Vienna Xmas market boss is a Muslim who is an Advent fan

Categories
General News

The man in charge of Christmas in Vienna is a Muslim who has urged fellow Muslims to enjoy the traditional Christian festival. Akan Keskin, 55, has been in charge of the Vienna Christmas markets since 2005 and every year spends months in advance planning every detail of the traditional Christian festival. And once the event […]

Getting Festive in Vienna

Categories
Lifestyle

Countless Christmas markets may spring up in cities across Northern and Central Europe during the coming months, but it is Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt that deserves a special mention. The tradition of winter street markets in Austria dates back to the Middle Ages and markets selling festive items and seasonal food have since then become a staple […]

Germany aims to overtake Austria in Croatia

Categories
Business

Germany is challenging Austria’s position as a top investor in Croatia. Figures presented by the Croatian National Bank (HNB) today (Fri) reveal that German companies spent 131.8 million Euros in the country in the first quarter of this year, more than any other country. German firms only spent 90.4 million Euros in the same time […]

Borealis to complete construction of UAE centre

Categories
Business

Prospering plastic producer Borealis AG has said the construction of a centre for innovation in Abu Dhabi should be completed soon.The Vienna-based company – which also runs factories in Austria and Sweden among other countries – announced today (Thurs) that the facility in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be operating by […]

Firms asked to reduce European focus in favour of BRIC states

Categories
Business

The Austrian economy has to up its focus on emerging markets, a government minister has warned.People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner appealed on exporting firms based in Austria to eye up business in up-and-coming economies in Asia and South America to ensure Austria remains competitive.The minister explained today (Tues) that around 83 per cent […]

Easter delicacies under scrutiny

Categories
Business

Food hygiene inspectors across Austria are swarming out to take a closer look at Easter market offerings.Officials said today (Thurs) checks on stalls at popular markets will especially focus on the quality of products like ham and egg.Businesspeople are currently offering souvenirs and food at hundreds of Easter-themed markets in all nine provinces of Austria.News […]

Anger as WKO set to abandon €8mn ÖW injection

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Business

Officials have engaged in a bitter war of words after the Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) decided to stop subsidising the Austrian Tourism Marketing (ÖW).WKO said recently it will end its annual eight-million-Euro injection from 2012 and intensify its own tourism marketing initiatives instead. The authority criticised the ÖW for neglecting emerging markets like Brazil, India […]

Booming world economy to boost Europe, says WIFO

Categories
Business

Europe’s economies will strongly benefit from thriving world markets, a leading think tank has claimed.Vienna’s Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) announced today (Fri) that the global economy will have grown by 4.4 per cent year on year in 2010 and by around 4.1 per cent the following year before a 4.6 per cent improvement is […]

Austrian and Italian police team up at Xmas market

Categories
General News

Austrian police are cooperating with their Italian colleagues in a new pilot project.Carabinieri Lorenzo Galli and Paolo de Biasi will join Austrian police officers on patrol at the Christmas markets of Innsbruck, Tyrol, during the next few weeks.The Italian policemen said today (Fri) they will try to reduce communication troubles when their fellow countrymen become […]