WK Vienna: Every fourth Viennese chooses home as a holiday destination

2023-08-01 10:29:07

28 percent of the Viennese do not continue – Culinary art and fun in the water are the most popular activities – Very satisfied with leisure activities

Vienna (OTS) – More than a quarter of the Viennese are not drawn to faraway places this summer. They actively rely on staycation, a holiday in their own city. What makes Vienna such a special holiday destination for those staying at home was researched by the tourism and leisure industry division of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce together with KMU Research Austria. “Vienna, as a vibrant metropolis, is not only a worthwhile holiday destination for tourists, but also for the Viennese themselves. They appreciate the diverse range of leisure activities and culinary delights,” sums up Markus Grießler, Tourism Chairman at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

In the current study by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and KMU Forschung, the Viennese are strongly connected to the leisure activities in their hometown. 28 percent of the residents – i.e. more than a quarter – will not be spending any vacation with at least two overnight stays outside the federal capital this summer.

“There are three reasons for this: On the one hand, the Viennese increasingly see their city as a leisure oasis. They enjoy the familiarity of their home and take advantage of the diverse offerings of more than 500 leisure facilities in Vienna. On the other hand, in times like these, of course, the increased costs also come into play. This holiday summer is a particularly expensive one, especially when it comes to air travel. And third, there is some concern about the future that prompts some to rein in spending. We also saw that in the financial crisis of 2008,” says Grießler.

What the Viennese do in their free time

The question of leisure preferences shows how much the Viennese love their home: 65 percent state “spending time in their own four walls” as one of their favorite leisure activities, closely followed by “food and cuisine” and the Viennese “parks and Gardens”. Visiting the sidewalk café is one of their preferences for 43 percent, and for 38 percent beach and open-air pools are among their favorite leisure time locations.

Sport several times a week

The present study examined both the leisure activities of the Viennese population in summer and the frequency with which these activities are carried out. And this shows once again: What Viennese like to do, they often do. 25% of Viennese state that they do sports in their free time. Of these, 11% state that they exercise every day. 59% say they do this several times a week.

59% of the Viennese state food and cuisine as one of their leisure activities. Of these, 6% state that they practice this culinary activity on a daily basis. 23% say they do this several times a week. 48% do this several times a month, 24% only once or twice a month. The sidewalk cafés play an important role for 43% of Viennese in summer: 11% state that they visit the sidewalk cafés several times a week. 54% do this several times a month, 34% only once or twice a month.

Which activities are mentioned most often?

As part of the study, the preferred outdoor activities were also surveyed, with the Viennese showing their active side:

To go swimming: The Viennese like to enjoy the range of bathing spots in Vienna in summer, including the “Alte Donau” and the “Neue Donau”.
Go for a stroll: Respondents seem to particularly enjoy taking leisurely walks in the city’s many parks and green spaces to enjoy nature and the beauty of the city.
To go biking: The Viennese like to travel by bike and use the well-developed network of cycle paths in the city or the cycle paths on the Danube Island to do sports and explore the surrounding area.

In addition, other activities were mentioned that reflect the cultural life of the city. These include going to the cinema, visiting museums, going to Heurigen, going to restaurants and shopping in the many shops in the city. “The variety of leisure activities in Vienna is great and offers the Viennese a wide range of opportunities to spend their free time actively and with variety,” says Grießler.

The Viennese are satisfied with the leisure activities in the city

“In general, the Viennese are very satisfied with the leisure activities in the city. When asked directly what they were missing, many people couldn’t think of anything. This shows how well our leisure facilities respond to the wishes and preferences of the population,” says Grießler happily. However, some would like more activities and facilities such as swimming pools and water playgrounds (and generally cool down spots in the city), golf courses or more clubbing opportunities. Some respondents emphasize that the current offer is good and sufficient, others complain about the costs that prevent them from participating. The need for more green space, shaded seating, and parks for picnics and outdoor activities was also mentioned.

Certain events such as the “Vienna Summer of Culture” and the “Theater im Park” were rated positively and the desire for similar events in the future was expressed. There is a need for green spaces and bathing areas, with equal access for everyone being important.