Austrian Tourist Office Appoints CEO
VIENNA, Austria, October 12, 2006. After a little over six years, Mr. Arthur Oberascher, CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO), welcomes Ms. Petra Stolba as his successor to further foster Austria's position in the international tourism market and increase the number of international guests to Austria. She will take up her new position with 1st November 2006.
Mr. Arthur Oberascher, who is also the current President of the European Travel Commission, will remain an influential figure in the Austrian tourism industry taking on the role as President and Co-owner of Arcotel Hotel Group, the country's largest privately owned hotel chain.
Ms. Petra Stolba, the first female at the helm the Austrian National Tourist Office, is currently heading the Department for Tourism and Leisure Management at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. She has a broad educational and practical background in tourism as well as economics.
It is Ms. Stolba's goal to reinforce and strengthen the brand 'Austria' as a leading travel destination and to further the country's global appeal as one of the leading tourist destinations. Her aim is to grow the number of international visitors at an annual rate of 3 percent.
'I am handing over an efficient and competent marketing organisation that has adopted swiftly to new challenges in a highly competitive environment. I am confident that ANTO will further strengthen its international focus,' says Mr. Arthur Oberascher.
'The Austrian Tourist Office is well equipped to conquer emerging markets. We have met the increasing demand for market diversification by opening new branch offices in markets like India and China; and have also internally improved and modernized our company structure. I am very happy to see Petra Stolba take over this exciting and challenging position and put her enormous knowledge, skills and passion into the Austrian tourism industry.'
The Austrian Tourist Office has currently 34 offices and representations worldwide with the London team servicing the UK and Irish markets .
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