Indians tourists head to Austrian capital Vienna; city known for best quality of living

More and more Indians tourists are heading for Vienna, the Austrian capital which is also known to be the city with the world's best quality of living. According to the Vienna Tourist Board, the number of Indians visiting Vienna has doubled over the last six years - with an estimated 25,000 Indian tourists dropping by. The board expects that in 2012, night stays in local hotels by Indian tourists will exceed the 2011 record of over 55,000 room nights.

Not surprising since Vienna, according to HR advisory firm Mercer's Quality of Living index, has been ranked the city with the best quality of living. And has retained the title for four years on the trot. This sort of reputation is bound to attract tourists from everywhere, not just India.

"By blending its unique imperial architectural heritage with a distinguished legacy of great artists and musicians like Mozart and Beethoven, Vienna offers one of Europe's most dynamic urban spaces," says Verena Hable, a Vienna Tourism Board official, during a recent visit to Delhi. "With Vienna emerging as a favoured destination by Indian tourists, we look to welcoming a significantly larger inflow of tourists in the coming years."

Indiahas several points of connect with the Austrian capital. Conductor Zubin Mehta, who has lived in Vienna for many years and still conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, often has Indians include his performance in their itinerary. Vienna also allows Indian tourists to do a triangular tour of the major cities of the former Hapsburg empire, by including Budapest and Prague during their visit.