Structure & Budget

The Vienna Tourist Board’s structure and budget are governed by Vienna’s Promotion of Tourism Act. This piece of legislation also sets out the Board’s remit – specifically representing the interests of tourism for Vienna and marketing the destination. It also determines the local taxes that the Vienna Tourist Board receives. The Vienna Tourist Board is led by a President (nominated by the provincial government of Vienna) and a Director of Tourism. The Supervisory Board (Tourism Commission) – which approves the underlying guidelines for the Vienna Tourist Board’s work and its budget – comprises the president and 17 members. 14 members of the Commission are appointed by the provincial government of Vienna. The Vienna Economic Chamber, the Vienna Chamber of Labour and the Vienna Chamber of Agriculture each appoint one member.

In 2020, a budget of EUR 27.2m was set for the Vienna Tourist Board, and in 2021 the budget is EUR 25.8m. 50% of this amount will be generated through local taxes. A further 26% is allocated by the City of Vienna. The Vienna Economic Chamber contributes 2% of the 2020 budget, 3% was self-generated and 19% is accounted for by movements in provisions. 87% of the budget is invested in destination marketing (communication campaigns, PR, sales promotion, production of advertising materials, conference acquisition) as well as on-site activities in Vienna (guest services, tourist information, destination management) and the work teams involved. The corona-related shortfall in local taxes is compensated by public funding: In 2020 and 2021, the City of Vienna will thankfully contribute a total of EUR 15m to the budget ofthe Vienna Tourist Board, thus securing its basic equipment. 

In 2021, EUR 11.6m was budgeted for marketing. The largest individual items are B2C marketing including production of advertising materials, with a budget of EUR 5m; B2B marketing including the Vienna Convention Bureau at EUR 2.6m; media management at EUR 1.8m, and destination management at EUR 1m. 45% will be used for marketing. 42% will be used for staff costs and 12.6% for operating expenditure (rent, utilities, maintenance of the headquarters, tourist information centers, travel costs, depreciation, communication costs, etc.).

Corporation under public law pursuant to the law on the promotion of tourism in Vienna (WTFG of 17 June 1955), on a non-profit basis