Monika Klinger, BMWET

Introduction

Since May 2021, Monika Klinger has been leading the International Tourism Affairs Department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Tourism. She has extensive experience in tourism and international tourism policy, is the Austrian Focal Point for the UN World Tourism Organization, and a member of the OECD Tourism Committee. Her department is also responsible for all tourism matters related to the EU and bilateral relations. She also worked for around three years at the European Commission in Brussels. She holds a degree of the Vienna University of Economics and Business and has a vocational formation in tourism management

There are many visions for sustainable tourism. But what determines whether they lead to concrete actions, priorities, and measurable impacts? Between strategic aspirations and actual implementation lie political decisions, institutional frameworks, and the ability to align diverse interests in a common direction.

This topic block explores the role of strategies as a translation from long-term future visions to concrete actions. The focus is on how sustainability goals can be integrated into governance structures, financing mechanisms, and corporate decisions. What prerequisites are necessary for visions to have an impact? Where do conflicting goals arise between competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability? And how can strategic ambitions at the European, national, and corporate levels be connected?

International perspectives meet experiences from politics, destination management, and corporate tourism practice and are further deepened in a joint discussion.

Framing Keynote: Stefan Kreppel, Austria Tourism

Austrian Good Practice: Marie-Louise Schnurpfeil, Linz Tourism Association

Subsequent panel discussion: Stefan Kreppel, Austria Tourism / Marie-Louise Schnurpfeil, Linz Tourism Association / Monika Klinger, BMWET / Verena Brandtner-Pastuszyn, Henriette Stadthotel Vienna