| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Today
Polls
RSS Feed Business22. 07. 09. - 14:00
´Brüno´ lures Brits to Vienna
By Thomas Hochwarter
Britons are flooding to Vienna because of Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit comedy "Brüno", tourism bosses in Vienna have said.
Vienna tourism office director Norbert Kettner announced today (Weds) Vienna has seen 120 per cent more bookings from Britain since the film opened.
Kettner said: "I would like to say quite frankly: ‘Thank you, Brüno!’"
He added tourism chiefs in the Austrian capital were hoping the "Brüno effect" would make up for a drop of 20 per cent in bookings for the first half of this year.
Kettner said the financial crisis and the fall in value of the pound against the Euro was probably behind the dwindling numbers.
"Brüno", the latest film from British comedian Cohen, portrays a gay, xenophobic fashion reporter from Austria who moves to America to become famous after being sacked by his employer. Vienna itself however only appears for a few minutes – and scenes taking place in the city were shot in Paris.
The film has provoked mixed reactions in Austria. Earlier this week, an Innsbruck-based lawyer specialising in youth issues appealed to watchdogs to reverse their decision to allow "Brüno" to be seen by people aged 14.
Elisabeth Harasser said she wanted the movie to be x-rated, arguing: "The law for the protection of youngsters forbids the display of sexual acts that could endanger the moral and social development of children and teenagers."
And Emil Brix, future Austrian Ambassador in London, lambasted the film as "totally inappropriate."
Brix said he was worried about Austria’s reputation as its main character keeps linking Austria with the Nazi era.
The film itself has also failed to draw in the crowds. Latest figures show that more than three times as many Austrian cinema-goers went to see the new animated movie "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs."
Austrian Times
Related articles: business boom
-
» Business 2012-05-17
The Austrian economy keeps recovering, according to the Institute for Economic Research (WIFO).
-
Post AG turnover up by six per cent
» Business 2012-05-17
Austrian postal services company Post AG has managed to increase its turnover and earnings.
-
Congress tourism boosts cities and countryside
» Business 2012-05-17
International conferences are becoming increasingly important to the Austrian tourism industry.
more related articles tagged "business boom"
Related articles: Brüno mania
-
Austrian version of 'Strictly Come Dancing' to have male couple
» Panorama 2011-01-12
An Austrian entertainer tagged as having been Sacha Baron Cohen’s inspiration to create gay fashion journalist Brüno will compete in this year’s "Dancing Stars" show – with a man as his partner.
-
Majority unafraid of bad ´Brüno´ effect, poll shows
» Panorama 2009-07-30
The majority of Austrian Times readers think that Austrians do not need to worry about the new "Brüno" movie having a negative effect on the country’s image – because it has already been badly damaged.
-
» Business 2009-07-22
Britons are flooding to Vienna because of Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit comedy "Brüno", tourism bosses in Vienna have said.
Tag cloud:
Austrian Cohen Vienna bookings Brix reverse Elisabeth youngsters youth Kettner acts endanger Brits forbids tourism watchdogs moral movie protection sexual
Ambühl at the ready for AUA affiliate
Gaudenz Ambühl has been named new head of Austrian Airlines (AUA) Group member Tyrolean Airways.
Rebel priest deplores Church's 'leadership crisis'
A Catholic preacher who established a group of "disobedient" priests reacted coolly to Viennese Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn’s warnings.
Hollande's growth appeal 'nonsense', says Fekter
Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Maria Fekter has launched an attack on the new French president.
Best of the bookshelf in May
The Austrian Times has once again searched the book publishing market of German-speaking Europe to list some of the most interesting releases of the past weeks and months.
Salzburg tourism on the rise
The city of Salzburg is more popular than ever with tourists from all around the world new figures have shown.
Suicide Sculptures Get the Push
'Suicide' sculptures by British artist Anthony Gormley are to be removed from Alpine passes in Austria where they sparked fears of a rise in the rate of mountain rescue call outs.
SPÖ demands legalised street prostitution
Integration spokesperson Anja Hagenauer (SPÖ) has suggested that "performance boxes" should be constructed in Salzburg to allow clients to park in them and carry out their business with a prostitute.
Luxury shopping at the Kohlmarkt
The Kohlmarkt is the place to look for those luxury goods. The area is home to traditional Viennese jewellers like Wagner, Bucherer and Schullin, as well as resonant international luxury brands. Rare pieces can also be acquired at the Dorotheum auction house.
Agricultural frost damages amounting to 20 million Euro
Freezing night-time temperatures last week have caused substantial damage to farmlands throughout the country, with the largest impact in Lower Austria.
The Schönbrunn Palm House
The Palm House in the palace park at Schönbrunn in Vienna is the largest of its kind on the European continent.
The most popular stories –
last 7 days
|
Giant penis is blown up |
|
Nazi still honoured in Austria |
|
Thieves caught trying to nick F**king Sign |
|
20th Vienna Life Ball a fiery success! |
|
Germinator |
Tony wrote on 01. 08. 2009 from UK about "´Brüno´ lures Brits to Vi..."
As a regular visitor to Vienna i cannot believe Bruno has had any impact on visitor numbers. Vienna is hardly featured in the film and i doubt many peolpe have actually seen the film - i have and it's not very good!
Reply