AUSTRIA BYRAIL

EMIRATES customers can travel through Austria with more ease than ever before after touching down at Vienna International Airport thanks to a new Rail & Fly deal. The new offering allows passengers flying with the Dubai-based carrier to seamlessly book both flights and Austrian Railway Company tickets in one transaction. The trains travel to seven main cities across Austria, including Bregenz, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg and St. Pölten. Emirates Business and First Class passengers also receive complimentary access to the rail lounges at all major train stations (Wien Hauptbahnhof, Wien Westbahnhof, Wien Meidling, Linz Hauptbahnhof, Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Graz Hauptbahnhof, Klagenfurt Hauptbahnhof) in conjunction with their First Class rail ticket. Not only is the Fly & Rail a convenient way to get around but Emirates guarantees the connections. If any train delay occurs Emirates will honour the passenger’s flight ticket, rebook the passenger and also offer hotel accommodation if needed. Australia Director for the Austrian National Tourist Office, Astrid Mulholland-licht, said the Fly & Rail deal was a great travel solution for Emirates customers wanting to explore Austria. “Our theme for this year and next year is journeys – our focus is about travelling through Austria connecting various places of interest and doing that by rail is a fantastic way to do it because our rail system is really efficient and well run,” Mulholland-licht told travelbulletin. Mulholland-licht said the upcoming Austria Show and Travel Industry Workshops this month would been an ideal time for Aussie travel agents to refresh their understanding not only of the new deal but Austria’s tourism offerings overall. “This is the perfect opportunity for people to update their knowledge on Austria while we actually come through their city,” she said. The show will take place from 6pm to 9pm on 24 October at The Edge, State Library of Queensland in Brisbane, 26 October at Cell Block Theatre in Sydney and lastly on 27 October at The Pavilion Arts Centre in Melbourne. Twenty-one destination and product experts from both Austria and Australia will be exhibiting during the roadshow. Some of the key Austrian partners attending are Sacher Hotels Vienna and Salzburg, Swarovski Crystal Worlds and the Vienna Tourist Board, while Aussie suppliers featuring Austrian produce include APT, Beyond Travel, Emirates, Insight Vacations, Rail Europe and Viking. The “entertaining and informative” evenings about all things Austria will be filled with food, wine, musical performances and stand-up comedy. Admission is free and there will be a host of prizes to be won. For any questions about the event or to confirm your attendance, email