Events in Vienna are driving vast economic gain for Austria. What’s so special about what the city is doing?
In 2024, Vienna hosted 6,619 congresses and corporate events – the highest number ever recorded. Meetings generated €1.32 billion in economic impact, supported 23,500 jobs, and delivered 1.99m overnight stays. Participant numbers rose 6% year on year to 671,000.
The average stay length for meeting visitors was 2.98 nights, longer than the leisure average of 2.3. Nationwide, the meetings sector generated €365m in tax revenue. Vienna accounted for €45m.
Over a billion in revenue
The €1.32bn in economic benefit is Vienna’s highest to date. The federal government received €213m in taxes, with €152m going to provinces and municipalities.
“It is not through economic output alone that the industry makes such a significant contribution – it also creates thousands of jobs,” said Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board.
One in nine overnight stays driven by meetings
Of the 6,619 meetings in 2024, 2,193 were congresses (up 2%) and 4,426 were corporate events (up 3%). One in every nine overnight stays in Vienna came from a congress or corporate meeting.
Vienna exceeded its strategic goal of 10% – but maintaining this share will be challenging as leisure tourism grows.
Photo credit: © sLKphoto – Kreuzberger SebastianCongresses deliver disproportionately high value
International congresses made up just 12% of all meetings, but delivered: 39% of participants (260,000) 67% of overnight stays (1.34m) 73% of economic impact (€956m) 73% of tax revenue (€267m)
Medicine leads the way
Human medicine accounted for 43% of overnight stays generated by congresses. Other categories included: Science (12%) Humanities and politics (9% each) Technology and UN-related events (8% each)
Vienna Meeting Fund: Acquisition boost
The Vienna Meeting Fund was launched during the pandemic to strengthen the city’s competitiveness and attract international meetings. The scheme is now in its third phase and continues to support multi-day international events outside peak months.
To qualify, at least 50% of overnight stays must come from international delegates, and organisers must secure Green Meeting or ÖkoEvent certification to access the full €60,000 per-event funding.
By the end of 2024: More than 1,200 applications were submitted Over 800 events were approved Of the €12m allocated, nearly €3m remains
120 future meetings secured in 2024
In 2024, the Vienna Convention Bureau secured 120 international meetings with 150,000 future participants. Acquisitions now stretch through to 2038. More than 250 global applications are currently under review.
Confirmed events in 2025–26 include: European Society for Sexual Medicine (1,000 delegates) Association for Computational Linguistics (3,500 delegates) IEEE Robotics & Automation (7,000 delegates)
Strong growth in corporate and AI meetings
Vienna hosted 2,155 international corporate events in 2024 – a 10% year-on-year rise. Overnight stays rose 46%.
AI emerged as a key theme. The city hosted the TEDAI Congress and will again welcome Europe’s official TED Talks on AI in 2025. Check Point Software will also bring an AI-focused cybersecurity event to Vienna.
8 out of 10 visitors fly into the city
According to Vienna’s congress visitor study, 84% of delegates arrive by plane. Around 40% fly with Austrian Airlines.
Rail travel is encouraged through ÖBB Congress Accounts and initiatives like the City Airport Train, used by 1,200 visitors at the European Congress of Radiology.
Rise of legacy programmes
Organisers are increasingly leaving a social impact. In 2025, projects linked to major congresses will include: Kidney health education for Viennese schoolchildren (European Renal Association) Free kidney checks for the public at Austria Center Vienna A hands-on public science exhibition at Karlsplatz (European Space Agency)
Benefitting the whole destination
Congress attendees are high-spend, high-value visitors. They spend €560 per overnight stay – nearly double the city average.
In 2024: 27% extended their trip 86% plan to return privately 92% dined out 50% went sightseeing 33% visited museums 25% shopped locally
Visit meeting.vienna.info for more information.
