One of the travel industry’s best-known faces and personalities is departing: Astrid Gruchmann-Licht, Director for Australia at the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) Sydney – will leave at the end of November 2022 and head back to Austria.
Gruchmann-Licht has built a reputation during her 33 years with ANTO as one of the most capable and proactive National Tourist Office directors in the country.
She is departing for personal reasons to pursue other interests in Austria. ANTO will remain committed to the Australian market and keep its presence in Sydney, although with some changes as part of a global restructure.
Kathrina Denk, well known to the Australian industry and to lovers of Austria, will be promoted to the role of Market Representative. From January 2023, Denk will share offices with the Austrian Trade Commission and the Austrian Consulate General in the Sydney CBD. Further details will be shared with the industry at the end of October.
Gruchmann-Licht’s final b2b project in Australia is an exciting and useful new tool for agents: the Austria Resource Hub, specifically designed for the Australian travel industry.
The hub is a place to learn, be inspired and find the necessary tools to design an unforgettable itinerary to Austria. Gruchmann-Licht and Denk have been working on its development together.
In the video below, Astrid Gruchmann-Licht explains the development against stunning Austrian backdrops – and gives details of a wonderful promotion in which travel agents can win one of six spots on a superb “Pre-Christmas in Austria” famil from 22 – 30 November 2022.
Four destinations have been released so far in the Austria Resource Hub, with more to follow: Salzburg, Innsbruck, the Wolfgangsee region in the stunning Salzkammergut and the Arlberg region – all located in the western part of the country – are the first feature destinations.
Gruchmann-Licht paid a visit to each destination to get the latest product updates from Austria’s experts on the ground. Instead of only talking about what is new, she ventured out to experience it all firsthand – like enjoying a backpack-picnic at 2200 metres on the mighty Nordkette mountain in Innsbruck, riding on Austria’s steepest cog railway up the Schafberg in St Wolfgang, multi-day hiking the Arlberg Trail from Lech to St Anton or discovering the trick fountains in the pleasure palace of Hellbrunn in Salzburg.
“We are excited to launch a ‘one-stop shop’ for creating a unique trip to Austria,” says Astrid Gruchmann-Licht.
“Inside the hub, agents can not only find the highlights for destinations Aussies love to visit, but the videos will really give them a better understanding of what is waiting for their clients – and themselves – in the cities and regions.
“For our famil competition we encourage agents from all over Australia to participate and experience one of the most magical times of the year in our home country.
“Pre-pandemic, the weeks leading up to Christmas have enjoyed the highest increase in visitor numbers from Australia,” Astrid adds.
To celebrate the launch of the Austria Resource Hub travel agents can win 1 of 6 spots on a unique “Pre-Christmas in Austria” famil from 22 – 30 November 2022 including flights with Emirates (plus connecting domestic flights if needed). To go in the draw, agents have to watch the short videos of the four featured destinations and answer eight quiz questions correctly by 17 October 2022.
Written by Peter Needham
