Business is booming

Cheers to the wine industry in tourism!

Wine tourism takes positive stock.

(Bild: NTG-Dieter Steinbach)

Vinophile enjoyment that sets new standards: tourism and the wine industry are closely linked in Burgenland. According to renowned experts, these business sectors still have enormous potential. Compared to other sectors, these pillars of Pannonian identity are predicted to grow strongly.

Wine and tourism - this synergy has been pursued with vigor for almost three years. Governor Hans Peter Doskozil deliberately chose this path. With success. Exquisite wines from Burgenland enjoy the highest international recognition. Even world-class soccer clubs such as FC Bayern Munich and Red Bull Salzburg rely on Pannonian quality in the VIP sector of their stadiums. At the most recent Falstaff Red Wine Gala, almost all the prizes went to Burgenland winegrowers.

Numerous events
The colorful spectrum of memorable synergies in the form of events ranges from the Jägerball in Vienna to the Burgenland Ski Week in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee with the "steepest" wine tasting in the world and "Woodstock der Blasmusik" in Orth im Innkreis (Upper Austria) to Nova Rock and the Blaufränkischland Marathon. The figures for the Martiniloben speak for themselves: from the end of September to mid-November, this vinophile series of events attracted 65,000 guests.

The campaign with castle actor Nicholas Ofczarek is well received.

(Bild: Burgenland Tourismus/Raphael Nastl)

Best summer ever
"More than 250 winegrowers took part in the Neusiedlersee region alone," emphasizes Andreas Liegenfeld, Chairman of the Regional Wine Committee, with satisfaction. "We can look back on the best summer ever in terms of overnight stays," says Burgenland Tourism Managing Director Dietmar Tunkel, drawing a highly positive balance. The "Mörbisch Winter Miracle" will extend the season until the beginning of January 2025 - to the delight of many restaurants and accommodation providers.

Wine tourism is a growing sector internationally. "We have backed the right horse. According to experts, growth can be expected in this business sector despite all the economic adversities," emphasize Tunkel and Wine Tourism Managing Director Christian Zechmeister. Under the motto "Bringing people into the country", Wein-Burgenland and its chairman Herbert Oschep focus on specialist tours for sommeliers and retailers.

Ofczarek and the red and gold grape
At presentations in Vienna, Linz, Zurich and Munich, the tourism offer is also heavily promoted alongside fine wines. The campaign with castle actor Nicholas Ofczarek as a testimonial also has appeal far beyond the country's borders. In a league of its own: the red and gold grape. "In just three years, we have succeeded in establishing Burgenland's most important wine competition," praises Oschep. The plan is to continue in this vein and with many new ideas in 2025.