Last update 01/03/10

Five Two ski-ers rescued at Gastein

Twenty-four rescuers used a rope to move two stranded winter sportsmen to safety near Bad Gastein, Salzburg.

The two men, a Latvian, 24, and a Swede, 23, who were working as seasonal labourers at establishments in the Gastein valley, decided at 1:30pm to go off-piste, one with skis and the other with a snowboard, down the northern slope of the Kreuzkogel.

They got lost in fog and found themselves on the lip of a vertical rock wall 250 to 300 metres high. Unable to move on, they called rescuers at 4pm.

Since it was impossible to use a helicopter because of high wind, 24 rescuers climbed up to their location and used a rope in the darkness to move them 160 metres over a frozen waterfall to safety.

Neither man was injured.

24/02/10

Five people have died in avalanches since the beginning of February.

The danger of avalanches in Austrian mountains ranges from slight to considerable at present but is expected to rise over the weekend as the weather worsens.

The Lower Austrian avalanche warning service said today (Fri) the level was three in areas bordering on the Ybbs Valley and the Rax-Schneeberg area, two in Türnitz Alps and one in the Gutenstein Alps and the Semmering-Wechsel area.

It said the danger would go up over the weekend as rainfall would increase the risk of spontaneous avalanches.

The Vorarlberg service said the level of avalanche danger was three in areas above 2,100 metres and two in lower areas but still not to be underestimated. It added unstable snow cover in many areas made avalanches likely. Five people have died in avalanches in the province since the beginning of February.

The Salzburg service said the danger of avalanches was at the two and the three levels, depending on the area in question. It warned that expected new snow and high wind would significantly raise the level in the Hohe Tauern mountains.

A series of deaths by avalanche continued this week in Austria, with a 50-year-old skier from Ehrwald, Tyrol, dying in an avalanche on Tuesday near Gamskars in the province’s Zugspitz area. Police said the man’s wife reported him missing at 8pm, and searchers found his body at 11pm under 30 centimetres of snow at an altitude of 1,800 metres.

In another mountain accident, two people ski touring in Upper Austria ended up in hospital over the weekend after falling. The separate accidents occurred in Roßleithen in the Kirchdorf district and near the Simony hut on the Dachstein. In both cases, the injured skiers were taken by helicopter to local hospitals.

Last week, a 42-year-old Norwegian woman who suffered serious head injuries when she was caught in an avalanche a week ago Saturday died at Innsbruck University Clinic.

Long-term statistics show that an average of 26 people die in avalanches in the Austrian Alps every year.

7/02/10

Call for night time skiing ban

Graz. Calls have been made for a ban on night skiing after a woman was left in a coma after an accident as she skied down a mountain in the dark. The Styrian cable-car operators’ division called for the ban after a 45-year-old was left in a coma following an accident at the Hauser Kaibling ski area. She had been making her way down to the valley floor at 11pm after visiting a mountain hut when she skied into a cable running from a piste packing machine to a pole and was left hanging by her neck. Doctors said she would probably be handicapped for the rest of her life if she survived. Styrian cable-car operators’ division head, Peter Lackner said ' any ban would be difficult to agree on as interest of officials and restaurant owners would differ'.

24/01/10

Lindsay Lohan Opera Ball invite

Viennese businessman Richard Lugner has defended his decision to invite Lindsay Lohan to the upcoming Opera Ball after the press branded the actress a "fallen princess”. Lugner, 77, said the "Freaky Friday” star - who pleaded guilty to cocaine use and driving under the influence in 2007 - "got on the wrong track at some stage, but she achieved many things too.” Asked whether he expected Lohan, 23, to cause any trouble on the night, the entrepreneur said: "I’ll make sure only mineral water, no champagne, will be served in our box.” Lugner - who runs the "Lugner City” shopping centre - made an international name for himself by attending

15/01/10

Austrian Haiti quake victim confirmed

Port-au-Prince. An Austrian-born woman is among the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, it has been confirmed. The German Development Service (DED) - a resources company working with governments and NGOs - said the 61-year-old, who was one of its workers, was killed when a wall collapsed on top of her. DED said on Thursday she had married a Haitian and been living in Haiti for many years. It is unclear if the victim is the same Austrian woman working in the development-assistance field reported missing by the Austrian Foreign Ministry earlier on Thursday.

3/01/10

Tourism hoping for good winter

By Thomas Hochwarter

Low temperatures and snowfall tempts people to book up.
Warning as trips abroad get cheaper.

Vienna. Tourism officials are hoping for good business as the majority of Austrians said they would spend as much money on winter holidays this season as they had before the credit crunch.

Research firm market- agent.com said 69 per cent of 500 people participating in a poll they had carried out said they would spend as much as they always had while more than one in five (21 per cent) said they planned to spend more than usual.

The agency’s poll was not strictly about holidays in Austria, but its results may nevertheless lighten up the mood among tourism chiefs in the country hoping for positive figures this winter. For the complete article, check out our news blogs on this page.

24/12/09

AC/DC concert in doubt over birds!

Activists say the gig a threat to curlews.

A concert by hardrock legends AC/DC has been thrown into doubt - by nesting birds. Animal rights activists said they will take legal action if the concert - scheduled for 22 May 2010 at Wels airport - goes ahead because it will threaten colonies of nesting rare birds in the area. For the complete article, check out our news blogs on this page.

12/12/09

Walkers dark clothes warning

Traffic officials have warned pedestrians not to wear dark clothes after 13 walkers were killed on roads in the past eight weeks. Marion Seidenberger of car club ÖAMTC said on Monday that many people underestimated the potential dangers posed by shorter days in winter. "It is important everybody ensures they are seen in good time to avoid danger,” she said. Seidenberger said people wearing dark clothes were spotted only from a distance of as little as 30 metres when drivers had their lights on. But people wearing lighter-coloured clothes could be seen from 80 or 90 metres and those with reflective clothing could be spotted to 150 metres, she said. And the ÖAMTC expert called on runners to wear reflective clothes, vests or other devices.

4/12/09

Avalanche warnings for Alpine regions

Innsbruck. Authorities have issued avalanche warnings after heavy snowfalls in the Alps. Experts at the Avalanche-Warning Service said heavy snow in East Tyrol and along the Alpine divide had created a "precarious” situation in many areas. But they said they expected the situation to returns to normal over the coming days. Conditions above 2,500-metres were most dangerous with regions like the southern Ötz Valley and the Stubai Alps most at risk of avalanches. Skiers were warned of skiing down shadowy, steep slopes with large amounts of freshly-fal- len snow as it could increase the chance of sudden avalanches. Meanwhile fire brigades in the western province of Vorarlberg were called out 35 times on Monday night following the heavy snowfalls.

27/11/09

Salzburg Airport battles the crunch

Airport’s flight down in first three quarters.

Salzburg. Salzburg Airport bosses warned of tough times ahead for the airport as flight numbers fell in the first three quarters of this year. Official figures show the "W. A. Mozart” airport handled 15,123 flights in the first nine months of 2009 - down 12.5 per cent year on year.

Alexander Klaus, spokesman Austria’s second-biggest airport after Vienna International Airport (VIA), said passenger figures had shrunk by a similar number.

Salzburg Airport CEO Roland Hermann said it was impossible to predict results for the upcoming winter tourism season, but said it would be a success for the airport if it could match 2008 figures this year. For the complete article, check out our news blogs on this page.

21/11/09

Austrian Sports Minister warns betting scam crooks

SPÖ Sports Minister Norbert Darabos warned any Austrians found to have been involved in a Europe-wide betting scam would face "very tough punishments”. Prosecutors in Bochum announced last week they were investigating "at least 200 matches and 200 people” in several European countries believed to be part of a huge betting fraud. For the complete article, check out our news blogs on this page.

12/11/09

Haider Porsche for Auction

A Porsche once owned by late right-wing political leader Jörg Haider has gone up for auction online on Thursday. A Klagenfurt-based firm is offering the metallic blue 911 Targa on its website http://www.cavinnash.at for ten days. Auction organisers expect the winning bid to be much higher than the 320-horsepower car’s market value and believe a fan of the former BZÖ chief will snap it up. Auction organisers said Haider owned the car, which has 58,700 kilometres on the clock, between 2002 and 2004. Haider died when he crashed his VW Phaeton at high speed after a drunken night out in October 2008.

4/11/09

Austrian Economy to Grow

Austria’s economy is to grow next year, the European Commission (EC) has claimed in a revised forecast. The EC raised its prediction of economic growth for Austria in 2010 from minus 0.1 per cent early this year to 1.1 per cent in its autumn economic forecast. It also predicted Austria would record growth of 1.5 per cent in 2011. For the complete article, check out our news blogs on this page.

25/10/09

Salzburg location for new TOM CRUISE Movie

The new Hollywood action movie called “The Unknown Wichita Project” will have quite a few scenes shot in Salzburg. The city government paid a grant of 300.000 Euro to support the costs of the filming.

The city of Salzburg and also the rail line from Zell am See to Böckstein are going to be the shooting locations for the movie. Tom Cruise will play an agent who is searching for inexhaustible sources of energy. He ends up falling in love with a woman played by Cameron Diaz. There will be action packed chase scenes over various continents. There is also a pursuit across the roofs in Salzburg's old town.

It is hoped that the sum of 300.000 Euro is a good investment. “There will be a crew of 200 persons who are going to stay in Salzburg for more than three weeks. They need 200 hotel rooms of the four and five star category. This means a net product of 1,2 mio Euro”, says the city advisor.

28/09/09

Austria wins 322 million Euro contract

Salzburg. Construction firm Alpine Bau GmbH has sealed a 322 million Euros construction deal in Singapore. The company announced on Tuesday it will build two stretches of the second segment of the Downtown Line underground in Singapore to be finished in 2015. The work will entail construction of three new underground stations and a single-track tunnel 6.16 kilometres long. The Downtown Line is scheduled to be built in three segments that should be finished in 2013, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The firm already has a contract for some work on lines 3 and 4 of the city’s underground. Alpine is also working on the Gotthard Basis-tunnel in Switzerland as well as tunnel projects for hydro-electric plants in India, Bulgaria and Turkey. The new deal is another in a string of large foreign contracts for the firm this year, including assignments in Slovenia and Poland.

21/09/09

Austria to pay out €100 for fridges

By David Rogers

€100 Euros bonus for exchanging old for new devices.
Fridge offer comes after bicycle and car junking examples.

Austrian authorities have launched a new scrapage scheme for old refrigerators and freezers.

The Household Environ- mental Forum (UFH) in cooperation with the envi ronment ministry announced yesterday Austrians would get 100 Euros for the exchange of the old appliances for energy-saving "A++” devices under the scheme, which has been backdated to 1 September. The budget for the initiative, which will last until the end of the year, is 2.5 million Euros.

For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page.

13/09/09

Birth rate down in first seven months of 2009

Vienna. The number of births in Austria declined by 2.3 per cent year on year to 42,918 during the first seven months of 2009, Statistik Austria reported yesterday. The biggest decline, 7.8 per cent, occurred in Salzburg and Carinthia, followed by Vorarlberg, 4.9 per cent, Burgenland, 3.9 per cent, Lower Austria, 3.0 per cent, Upper Austria, 2.1 per cent, Tyrol, 1.7 per cent, Vienna, 1.4 per cent, and Styria, 0.7 per cent. The agency had reported last month that the number of births had declined by 2.7 per cent year on year to 35,294 in the first six months of the year.

5/09/09

Solar power sector booming in Austria

Vienna. Austria's solar-power sector is booming and feeling no impact from the recession, a senior industry figure has claimed. Roger Hackstock, head of Austrian solar industry companies’ umbrella organisation Austria Solar, said there had been an increase of 29 per cent to 8,446 in applications for solar-power subsidies year on year in the first six months of 2009. He added an additional 900 jobs in production, distribution and installation fields had also been created. The third quarter, he said, would give an indication of results for the entire year since many applications for subsidies in the first half had been for solar-power installations completed last year.

25/08/09

Austrians oppose EU light bulb law

By Lisa Chapman

Majority says new EU guideline on light bulbs is nonsensical.
Fear over mercury causing illnesses.

Vienna. Almost two thirds of Austrians take a dim view of new EU rules forcing people to switch to new energy saving light bulbs, a new poll has revealed.

In a poll by UFH, a Vienna-based firm that disposes of used electronic devices, 64 per cent of Austrians said the new EU guideline phasing out classic light bulbs that will enter into force on 1 September was nonsensical.

Thermal insulation to boost economy?

WKO boss wants thermal insulation subsidy programme.

Herr Leitl suggested the government provide subsidies totalling 300 million Euros for renovation of thermal insulation and make a total of 150 million Euros of craftsmen’s income tax-deductible. He claimed the second measure would both stimulate growth and decrease the size of the black market in the building trades.
For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page

13/08/09

Vienna launches bike scrap scheme

Subsidies for people exchanging old bikes for new.
Old bicycles fixed and then used in social projects.
A bicycle scrappage scheme was launched in Vienna yesterday with 70 Euros subsidies for people exchanging old bikes for new.
For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page.

03/08/09

First six months second wettest for 190 years

The first six months of 2009 were the second wettest in 190 years in northern and eastern Austria on the back of severe recent storms. The Central Agency for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) reported rainfall in northern and eastern Austria had been 147 per cent of the average over the past 190 years - just behind the first six months of 1965 when precipitation was 153 per cent of normal. Much of the rain in the first six months of the year came amid severe storms that caused flooding and property damage. This month has seen more storms and just last Thursday, Vienna was hit by heavy rain, winds and hail.

27/07/09

Austrian lake water temperatures are set to rise up to one and a half degrees as a result of global warming.

Hydrologist Martin Dokulil, who surveyed 12 lakes in a study commissioned by the Federal Forestry Agency, said the temperature of surface water in many lakes had already risen. He added many lakes considered fit only for sailing because of cold water would become bathing lakes in the future.

Dokulil predicted the summer temperature of water in Carinthia’s Wörther Lake would rise from 22.5 degrees at present to 24 degrees and that of the water in the province’s Ossiacher Lake would increase from 21.8 degrees to 23 degrees by 2050. He said it could reach 30 degrees in particularly hot summers. Austrian lake water has been getting steadily warmer since the 1960s.

For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page.

17/07/09

Austrians are paying more than the EU average for goods and services.

EU statistical agency Eurostat reported yesterday that prices for most goods and services were five per cent above the EU average. Tobacco and alcohol were below the average.

The agency said Austria was in a group of EU member states including Italy, Germany and the Netherlands which had prices slightly above the EU average while the UK, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Slovenia prices slightly below the EU average.

Denmark, Ireland, Fin- land, Luxembourg, Sweden, Belgium and France had the highest prices but Malta, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia had prices considerably below the EU average, Eurostat said, while Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Bulgaria had the lowest prices.

The news comes after it was announced on Wednesday that inflation in Austria hit zero last month for the first time since August 1966.

For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page.

28/06/09

Austrian economy to shrink by 4.3%

Austria’s economy will shrink 4.3 per cent this year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicted yesterday.

The drop in gross domestic product (GDP) will be followed though by a slow recovery next year and 2010 is expected to finish with a decline of only 0.1 per cent in GDP, the organisation said.

OECD cited a significant fall in exports as the chief problem facing the Austrian economy. The organisation also noted Austria had fared better than many other Eurozone countries as the decline of its GDP would be smaller than the Euro zone average.

Luxembourg. Austrians are paying more than the EU average for goods and services.

EU statistical agency Eurostat reported yesterday that prices for most goods and services were five per cent above the EU average. Tobacco and alcohol were below the average.

The news comes after it was announced on Wednes- day that inflation in Austria hit zero last month for the first time since August 1966.

For the complete article, check out our newsblogs on this page.

22/06/09

Hubbies now shun sex!!

Women have put men under so much pressure for better sex they've now gone off it altogether, a new study of bedroom habits has revealed.

Hapless husbands are now so terrified by their partners' intimate knowledge of what turns them on they no longer know if they're coming or going.

The study - by sexual science therapist Professor Zbigniew Izdebski, in Poland - says one in three men is now too frightened for sex.

And he blames women's magazines and websites for turning women on to what really satisfies them.

"Men feel they are judged by their women, who have been educated by magazines and know exactly how long foreplay and everything that goes with it, should last," he explained.

"The whole methodology of the women's climax is seen by men as something similar to a difficult intelligence test and therefore best to avoid at all costs.

"Instead of enjoying the intercourse, men instead try to remember the 'right' routine in case they get it wrong. The pressure to get it right emotinally and physically can become to much. Consequently, we see more and more modern men 'having headaches' to avoid sex," he added. Thanks to our colleagues at Austria news for this little ditty of news...we are waiting for the pendulum to swing the other way now!! Any comments from you men out there??

09/06/09

Sauerkrauts are best in bed!!

Sauerkraut lovers have plenty to smile about after a British study found pickled cabbage was almost as good as Viagra - and a fraction of the cost!

Croatian nutritionist Dr Lejla Kazinic Kreho who has published a study on the best natural viagra. This was based on data gathered by King's College London and stated "The knowledge collected at King's College shows pickled cabbage is the best natural viagra.

"It may be hard to believe that saurkraut is one of most powerful aphrodisiacs, but the British data is conclusive." So, if you want to keep up with the pace, try Pickled cabbage...it isw not yet known if other pickled foods have the same effect?

Speaking to Croatian daily Vecernji List she said: "I can only suggest all men try it. Eat cabbage twice a day and observe how your sexual power increases."

For more Austria news - http://www.austriantimes.at/index.php?id=13806

2/06/09

Austria to keep border patrols
Vienna. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann called yesterday for an extension of the army’s border patrols beyond their scheduled cancellation at the end of the year. Faymann called the extension of such patrols in the country’s eastern regions one of three anti-crime measures he would discuss with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels today. Read the complete story on our news blog on this page.

21/05/09

Austrian Ministers 2009 pay freeze!

Vienna. Social Democrat (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann said legislation would be introduced stripping federal level politicians of a salary increase this year. Faymann said around 900 people, including President Heinz Fischer, would forego their July raises.

Such politicians were to have received a salary increase of 3.2 per cent in July. Faymann said the foregone raises would save around three million Euros, not enough to balance the budget, but a symbolic contribution during a recession. We felt this new snippet warranted some space, particularly with all the bad news about UK politicians!! You can read the full article in our News Blog on this page.

13/05/09

Shake the Lake!

The yearly Jazz festival, 'Shake the Lake' kicks off next week on 20th May...and already Wolfgangsee area is staring to buzz with tourist bookings up considerably over last year! Proving the event is becoming one recognised on the world music circuit. So if you want to come visit and enjoy some of the best in Blues music and Jazz,, be quick as accommodation is filling up fast!

For more info and details; Check out the website http://www.shakethelake.at

If you need accommodation have a look at our rental apartments page.

2/05/09

10th Shafberg run!

The race against the Schafberg cog wheel railway train takes place on the 17^th May 2009. The run to the top of the Schafberg Mountain is a real challenge, with the train taking 45 minutes...the run has been completed in 43 minutes...so it is possible to win!

Check out www.wolfgangsee.at
If you need accommodation have a look at our rental apartment page.

26/04/09

Austrian Teachers Strike!

The big news this past week has been the ongoing teachers dispute. Controversy kicked off in late February when Social Democrat (SPÖ) Education Minister Claudia Schmied announced plans to have teachers spend two hours more in the classroom per week while wages remained on the same level. The minister is hoping to agree on a compromise solution that will increase teachers’ weekly working time by one instead of by two hours, it has been announced. If you would like more on this or any other news about Austria inj English, please click on our News Blog on this page..

21/04/09

Launch of Log homes range!

The new Log home range is now available and we shall be launching a new web page section especially for this distinctive range of homes. Unlike the Wooden chalet range that can be self built, this range is more complicated but suits the requests of many clients who prefer their home built for them. Check out our property section for more info and links to our supplier.

14/04/09

More British in Austria!
The numbers of bookings from British tourists have increased substantially for this coming summer. We have noticed a distinct increase in numbers, compared to last year!...so is this a sign of good times returning? That is difficult to say, as Austria has always been a popular winter destination for British tourists and many airlines are offering some great fare deals to Austria, but what we can say is that more British are booking self catering accommodation!

6/04/09

Free land in Austria!

The small village of Rappottenstein in Upper Austria free land to boost dwindling population.

The small municipality of Rappottenstein is losing people -- currently there are only 1,760. The population has been decreasing over the years and everyone is worried that the village could die out!. The solution is simple: give anyone who wants to live in Rappottenstein village a free land plot.

According to Kurier newspaper report: free land, 800 and 900 square metres (8,611 to 9,687 square feet) is given to those who pledge to start a family, at least one child in a decade. It is open to both singles and married couples.

Singles also have to get married. Other conditions stipulate that the new owners have to build a house on the plot in three years. If the conditions are not fulfilled, the owners will have to pay 12,000 euros.

Rappottenstein is near the Czech borders if you want to take up the offer.

27/03/09

Easyjet special offers to Austria.
Easyjet have announced some great offers for their flights. From April you can get to Austria for just £14.99! So, now is the time to take a few days out, book that property viewing.....and of course enjoy some Springtime in Austria.. Well done Easyjet.

19/03/09

Austrian mortgage interest rates
Austrian mortgage rates have come down in the last few months and this has increased interest again in Austrian property. Many prospective buyers who had been waiting for a better Euro Sterling rate, have found that it can be just a good if not better to take an Austrian mortgage to fund their purchase. Speaking with other colleagues from all Austrian regions..the story is the same, when it comes to buyers. Many enquiries for property, but most people are concerned about the future and whether now is the right time. Is there ever a right time to buy property? Many people are just lucky and sell at the top of the market and get a good price...but they still have to buy something else that is equally at the top of the market. What we can say, is that Austria is a safe country to invest in as it does not have the booms and busts of some other housing markets. This is in part due to the incentive that the Government gives to investors...keep your property for ten years and when you sell, there is no Speculation tax...so in effect you can buy a property and know that in ten years if you sell, all the profit is yours!! Now, can someone please email Mr Brown??

9/03/09

Interest in Austrian land grows
Interest in land and investment property here in Austria has grown quite considerable over the past few months. Whether this is a reaction to the Sterling Euro exchange rate or the low interest rate being paid on UK deposits remains to be seen. But the recent reduction in UK bank base rate will we think increase the interest even further in Austrian property as a better place to invest money.

2/3/09

Local Elections on a Sunday?
Yes, that is correct, we have just had our local elections for Mayor and council members last Sunday! It surprised us as well, we had been following local news and it was something special to see the villages and towns busy with people out to vote...guess they had a good excuse not to go to church?? Who won?..the local Austria peoples Party.

Sterling is still hovering around 1.11-1.13 Euro and we have been getting many enquiries for the spring and summer Holiday rentals, so perhaps the newspapes are all doom and gloom after all?

23/2/09

Fasching weekend (Carnival)
Lots of fun was had this past weekend as it is Carnival time in Austria. Lots of snow also so people's fancy dress has keep to warm costume. Some clients arrived, to buy property, late on Saturday evening only to find every restaurant full with revellers...thinking that it was all private parties and they would not get served...they settled for a kebab at the local takeway. Little did they know what fun they were missing!! They will soon find out when they become owners!!

13/2/09