The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Symphony Orchestra provided the perfect setting for an event celebrating Austrian tourism on Tuesday night, given Austria’s strong musical roots (think Mozart, The Sound of Music).
Against this backdrop, guests of the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) gathered to hear the latest news from the central European nation as well as celebrate and farewell outgoing ANTO Australia Director Astrid Gruchmann-Licht, who will be returning to her homeland after a lengthy stay in Australia.
Gruchmann-Licht has been with ANTO for more than 30 years and returns to Austria for personal and family commitments.
During the event, the outgoing director reflected on some of her biggest achievements in her role down under, like the projection on the sails of the Opera House called “Visions of Vienna” in 2015.
Along with music by members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, guests enjoyed a charming Viennese cafe set up in the north foyer of the building.
To fill the space left by Gruchmann-Licht, Kathrina Denk will be stepping up as Marketing Representative for Australia in a newly created role.
“Working in the travel industry is like being part of a big family,” Denk said.
Kathrina started with ANTO six years ago and told attendees she looks forward to continuing to inspire Australians to visit Austria.
ANTO will continue to promote the Austria Resource Hub, focusing on winter in Austria including skiing, snowboarding, white Christmas and Christmas markets. It will also host a pre-Christmas famil for six travel advisors.
ANTO will return with a roadshow and Austrian delegation later next year.
