From January 23 to 25, 2005 Salzburg will be hosting the austrian travel business, the largest Austrian specialized tourism fair. Each new season sets new impulses – and the Austrian National Tourist Office will be introducing these at the atb 2005 at the trade fair center in the city of Salzburg. The name atb already discloses what it stands for: “austrian travel business“ means presentations of offers and business deals in a pleasant, professional business environment which assures tailor-made contacts for providers and buyers alike.

The atb is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year and will also be an important impulse-setter for the Mozart Year 2006 in the virtuoso’s home town.

900 exhibitors present Austria
Traditionally Austria’s largest sales tourism trade fair for local tourism operators, the atb will showcase all that Austria has to offer on an area of 11,000 sq.m.: “At 266 booths, 530 tourism and tourism-related businesses will present extensive information on the tremendous diversity of offers of the Alpine republic,” explains Dr. Arthur Oberascher, CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office. More then 760 buyers and over 160 media representatives from some 50 nations will be attending the 30th atb.

ANTO Services & Mozart 2006
Several of ANTO’s business units will again be represented at a special stand, providing atb visitors with extensive information about their expertise and services. The theme “Mozart 2006” will naturally also be highlighted at Austria’s largest specialized tourism trade fair this year: the anniversary year of the great Austrian composer is represented at a joint stand of all Mozart 2006 Marketing Group partners - ANTO, Vienna Tourist Board, Salzburg Provincial Tourist Board and Salzburg Municipal Tourist Board. Visitors can conduct Mozart’s most popular opera, the ‘Magic Flute’, alongside a virtual conductor of Vienna’s ‘House of Music’. The joint stand also features a film produced especially for the anniversary year by Curt Faudon, that promotes MozartLand Austria internationally. Furthermore, music fans can get ‘tuned’ into the Mozart Year at several listening stations with piano pieces, operas and symphonies. Moreover: information on the musical genius can be accessed on the internet at terminals provided for the purpose.

Attractive Fringe Program
In cooperation with its partners from the tourism business, the Austrian National Tourist Office has put together a very attractive fringe program for participants featuring a variety of social events that promise relaxation, entertainment and good times.

Upon the request of numerous participants, the atb 2005 will offer a new and improved fringe program: the evening events prior to the intensive fair days have been organized differently and the traditional Hospitality Suites will this year be held on the evening of the last fair day.

The opening of the atb features the Mass of Coronation by W.A. Mozart, performed by the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, and will be held in the Salzburg Dome. On the evening of the first fair day, atb participants are invited to a gala evening according to the motto “atb 2005 meets Mozart” at the Salzburg Congress Center, organized by ANTO and its partners Salzburg Provincial Tourist Board and Salzburg Municipal Tourist Board.

The Hospitality Suites of individual enterprises are a fixture in the program at every atb. The hosts of this year’s Hospitality Suites include: the Hotel Kaiserhof, the Kavalierhaus as well as Stiegl’s Brauwelt (Brewery) and Crowne Plaza. This evening is not only for cultivating contacts but also serves as a convivial event for enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of Salzburg’s tradition, Zeitgeist and brew specialities.