Austria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and expanding the presence of its companies within Saudi Arabia’s tourism and investment landscape, in a step that aims to achieve shared economic diversification and boost the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
The new plans align closely with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, with a special focus on sustainability, innovation, and luxury experiences.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Austrian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Oskar Wüstinger described the tourism sector as one of the “most dynamic bridges” between the two countries. He noted that Saudi-Austrian relations are strong both politically and economically and continue to be strengthened through high-level exchanges.
According to the ambassador, a number of joint initiatives are underway in the field of luxury tourism, including promotional campaigns, specialized training for Saudi travel agents, and the organization of events and exhibitions in the Kingdom to build lasting partnerships between private-sector companies.
On tourism, Wüstinger pointed out that Saudi tourists represent one of the fastest-growing markets for Austria, showing a marked interest in high-quality and luxury experiences. He added that the number of visitors from Saudi Arabia has risen steadily, with past August alone witnessing an increase of nearly 34%, reflecting the deepening of bilateral ties.
“Saudi visitors are a rapidly growing market with a strong interest in quality and luxury experiences,” he stressed, noting that Austrian tourism companies are working closely with "Saudi travel agencies, luxury operators, and media partners to design bespoke packages. Austria also organizes showcases and events in Saudi Arabia to foster direct dialogue and strengthen partnerships."
He explained that Austria, where tourism accounts for around 7–8% of the national GDP, is responding to the preferences of Saudi travelers by offering "Arabic-speaking staff, prayer facilities, and customized gastronomy to ensure comfort, privacy, and memorable stays."
Regarding broader economic relations, the ambassador confirmed that Austria seeks to deepen economic and investment cooperation with Saudi Arabia, amid a shared interest in expanding private-sector activities in both countries. He noted that bilateral investments are growing across key sectors, including mining, tourism, entertainment infrastructure, green technology, renewable energy, and logistics.
Notably, trade between the two nations has also witnessed a significant leap since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austrian exports to Saudi Arabia grew by 51% in 2022, reaching €481 million ($508.7 million), while Saudi exports to Austria surged by 662% to €180 million ($190.3 million), an indication of the strong momentum in economic and trade relations.
