VCÖ Mobility Award 2023

Christian Gratzer: The VCÖ (Verkehrsclub Österreich) is an independent NGO that has been working for an ecologically compatible, socially just and economically efficient transport system since it was founded in 1988, with a focus on solutions based on data and facts. An intact environment as the basis of life for future generations is a central concern of the VCÖ. On its website , the VCÖ offers comprehensive information on mobility and freight transport as well as Austria's largest collection of publicly accessible graphics on the subject of mobility and freight transport and access to more than 2,000 good practice projects from Austria and abroad in an online database.

Christian Gratzer: Tourism is a key economic factor for Austria. Vacationers admire and enjoy the scenic beauty, tranquillity, good air and unique nature. More climate-friendly mobility helps to preserve these assets. If vacation guests can travel car-free by train and be mobile on site using public transport and bicycles, they contribute to less exhaust fumes and less engine noise in the tourist region. And this benefits both vacation guests seeking relaxation and the local population. The VCÖ Mobility Award, which is Austria's largest competition for sustainable mobility and is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Protection and ÖBB, is looking for projects from tourism regions that offer environmentally friendly mobility locally, where leisure destinations and attractions are easily accessible by public transport and bicycle and where measures are taken to reduce traffic congestion. We are also looking for projects that facilitate and promote car-free travel. This is also important from an economic point of view, as the number of families living car-free is increasing in Europe's major cities. Tourist regions that are easily accessible by train or bus will continue to be attractive for this important target group in the future.

Christian Gratzer: " The numerous submissions for the VCÖ Mobility Award show that many regions in Austria are already implementing measures for more climate-friendly mobility options for vacation guests. The projects submitted are diverse: Tirol Werbung, for example, is pushing for vacation guests to travel by train. The Wilder Kaiser Tourism Association wants to triple the number of guests arriving by train by 2024 with its "Green Arrival" project. In Carinthia, the Weissensee Premium Card and in Burgenland the Neusiedlersee Card provide free access to local public transport services. In Vorarlberg, for example, the "Guest Bike" campaign is being implemented by accommodation providers. In the Danube region, there is an eco-tourism promotion along the EuroVelo cycle path network. And Werfenweng in Salzburg is a pioneer in car-free tourism. The numerous examples of good practice show that more climate-friendly mobility is possible, thereby protecting the environment and nature locally and strengthening the tourism location.

Here you can find all the winners from 2023 in various categories.