Tourism in Linz: A Situation Report
On November 6, 2006, the Linz Convention and Visitors Bureau released the results of a survey conducted by market, a local polling organization, concerning perceptions of tourism among the Linz populace. And the picture looks very good indeed, especially in connection with the European Capital of Culture year.
The acceptance of tourism in Linz is high: 50% of all those queried welcomed the recent increases in the annual number of visitors to the city. 91% of the population is aware that Linz with be the 2009 Capital of Culture. This major project got high grades: 53% “very good”; 35% “good.” The bottom line: Linz 2009 has massive popular support!This survey also brought out some areas in which Linzers would like to see some improvement. For instance, the inner city parking situation came in for criticism, as did the fact that many downtown restaurants aren’t open the whole weekend.
Linz hoteliers recorded almost 700,000 overnight stays in 2005, which represents an occupancy rate of over 70%. The industry’s aim is to reach the 930,000 mark in 2009.
