At the beginning of October, the People Powered Tourism project team participated in a two-day study visit to Vienna, focused on exploring innovative approaches to sustainable tourism, with an emphasis on visitor experience and local community well-being.
During the study visit, we explored lesser-known city districts and examples of how sustainability, urban renewal, and community involvement shape a new vision for tourism development.
From eco-hotels and green roofs to urban green spaces designed to preserve biodiversity, city gardens, and districts revitalized through placemaking tools, Vienna demonstrates how the quality of life for residents, visitor experience, and environmental protection can be successfully balanced.
Highlighted examples include:
- Stadthotel Henriette – the first hotel in Vienna operating according to the principles of the economy for the common good; a family-run eco-hotel using exclusively green energy, natural materials, chemical-free cleaning products, and organic food.
- Urbanouts Initiative and Wirtschaft am Markt restaurant – transforming abandoned spaces in the 12th district of Vienna into vibrant areas for the local community and visitors.
- Boutiquehotel Stadthalle and Hotel Indigo – lush inner courtyards and rooftop gardens with beehives, exemplifying the integration of sustainability, biodiversity, and hospitality.
Vienna thus confirms its status as a city that successfully combines sustainable development, shared values, and innovative tourism approaches, creating a balanced and inclusive urban environment.