Vienna Wants ESC 2026: Tourism Director Kettner Sees City Well Prepared
"To say we are not considering it would not be correct. But for now, the ball is in ORF's court," said the head of Vienna Tourism to the APA. The decision regarding the location and specific conditions will be made there. In any case, he sees the federal capital as well-prepared.
"If you want to be a host, both hardware and software must fit," Kettner stated in a written statement. And the man, who was also the head of the ESC organizing committee on the city side in 2015, sees his employer as excellently positioned. "In this year's summer flight schedule, Vienna is connected to 190 destinations worldwide, and Vienna is also the best-connected major city in Europe by rail," he cites Vienna as a transportation hub.
Eurovision Song Contest: "You Have to Know How to Conduct Major Events"
In addition, there is the experience with mega-events. "You have to know how to conduct major events. Vienna has proven this not only with the ESC or the Beach Volleyball World Championship 2018. The city hosts more than 6,000 congresses and corporate meetings per year, events with up to 30,000 participants are no problem. With 82,000 beds in 41,000 hotel rooms across all categories, there is also no problem accommodating guests, media, or delegates." On the software side, Vienna scores as a cosmopolitan metropolis with excellent quality of life and diversity.
Regarding the aftermath of the 2015 Song Contest, Kettner stated that Vienna's image as the world capital of classical music was already strongly established before. With the ESC, they also showcased in the contemporary field. The newly crowned winner JJ, who attended the opera school of the Vienna State Opera and studied at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna, also builds an ideal bridge here.
(APA/Red)
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