The Bachelor’s program in Tourism Management starts its study life with a behind-the-scenes look at Vienna tourism landmarks. From September 7-10, 2021, 77 students received an exciting first live insight into the tourism industry during an introductory excursion.
New and innovative hotel concepts were on the agenda on Tuesday morning. During a house tour, the students were able to get an idea of the Superbude concept – the latest creative product of the 25Hours Hotel Group. At Hotel Zoku, also located right next to the Prater, the students were able to get to know a new version of an apartment hotel – “Long Stay” in combination with co-working spaces.
The afternoon was all about leisure tourism. Martin Jank, CEO of Wiener Gewässer Management GmbH, responsible for the project Wiener Copa Beach explained in an exciting lecture directly on the Copa Beach the history of the Danube Island, its leisure tourism function and gave insights into the project “Copa Beach” and its tourism relevance.
In the beautiful guest garden of the Napoleon Pop Up on Kagraner Platz, the latest project of Querfeld’s Wiener Kaffeehaus GmbH, the students learned more about the main areas of work of the Vienna Tourism Board. Markus Penz, responsible for strategic partnerships in the Vienna Convention Bureau team and TM alumnus discussed the pros and cons of city tourism together with the students. Finally, Karoline Winkler, CEO of Querfeld’s Wiener Kaffeehaus GmbH, gave an insight into the Viennese coffee house culture, the structure of the Querfeld Group such as the Napoleon Pop up and her own career path.
Imperial Vienna was the focus Wednesday morning. Florian Felder, Head of Strategy & Development at Schönbrunn Group personally guided us through the parks of Schönbrunn Palace and told a lot of interesting facts about this tourist landmark. An exciting insight into the world of Vienna’s luxury hotel industry was then provided by the Park Hyatt and the Palais Coburg. On a Secret Tour through the Museumsquartier the topics culture & tourism were taken up, before the day ended comfortably in the world’s largest fully certified organic restaurant Kolarik’s Luftburg in the Viennese Prater. Managing Director Paul Kolarik personally welcomed our students and briefly informed them about Kolarik’s Freizeitbetriebe GmbH.
Thursday was used by the students to sort out their observations and to prepare all findings for the final presentations on Friday. There, the individual teams surprised with many committed and creative presentations.
Thanks to all who contributed to the success of this introductory excursion.