From 8 to 10 October, representatives of Austria’s leading visitor attractions gathered in Lech am Arlberg for the 6th Austrian Leading Sights Congress, dedicated to the theme “Internationalisation in Tourism.” The event focused on global networking, new markets, and the future competitiveness of Austria’s top attractions.
The congress was opened by President Mag. Klaus Panholzer and Secretary General & CEO Patrick Quatember, joined by Deputy Provincial Parliament President Dr. Monika Vonier, a video address by State Secretary Mag. Elisabeth Zehetner, and Vice Mayor Elias Beiser. For a fresh and motivating start, Red Bull athlete and paragliding pilot Paul Guschlbauer delivered an inspiring keynote, drawing parallels between elite sports and tourism and highlighting the shared values of performance, focus, and mental endurance. A subsequent panel discussion featuring Mag. Susanne Kraus-Winkler (WKO), Christoph Brunner (Lech Zürs Tourismus), Jay Munro-Michell (ETOA), and Paul Guschlbauer explored new positioning strategies in an increasingly competitive global tourism landscape.
In the afternoon, Mag. Anton Zimmermann (BMWET) and Mag. Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger (Austrian National Tourist Office) offered insights into the further development of “Plan T” and shared current trends and marketing strategies in Austrian tourism.
A social highlight of the congress was the “Alpine Hüttengaudi” networking evening on the Kriegeralpe, including a guided tour of the Skyspace Lech – combining exchange, culinary experiences, and a spectacular alpine setting at 2,000 metres.
The second day focused on Austrian Leading Sights members under the theme “Austrian Excellence Worldwide.”Claudia Kamerad (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Parndorf), Mag. Florian Felder (Schönbrunn Group), and Markus Ostermann (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) discussed cross-border brand strategies and international guest experiences.
The Austrian Leading Sights Congress once again served as a key platform for decision-makers, experts, and partners of Austria’s tourism sector to exchange ideas, share insights, and strengthen the international visibility of Austria’s leading cultural and visitor attractions.
