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Switzerland tourism with new attractions

Summer can come! The Jungfrau Railways are kicking things off with the new "Eiger Walk of Fame" attraction. On the circular route, visitors follow in the footsteps of the first conquest of the Eiger North Face - including a fantastic Alpine panorama. You can also get a view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from Glacier 3000. In addition to pure relaxation, guests can enjoy culinary delicacies in two new restaurants in the building designed by Mario Botta. The Rigi Railways also delight with a wide range of offerings that allow participants to travel back in time. The Jungfrau Railways are welcoming summer with a wealth of new attractions and culinary delights. The opening of the "Eiger Walk of Fame" promises a fascinating experience for visitors who want to follow in the footsteps of the first conquest of the Eiger North Face. From the Eigergletscher station, the path leads to a photo spot with a breathtaking Alpine panorama. Information boards along the way explain the moving history of mountaineering. www.jungfrau.ch Dining above the clouds on the Glacier 3000 Culinary delights on the Glacier 3000? In summer 2024, two new restaurants will open in the building designed by Mario Botta. Here, visitors can enjoy local gourmet cuisine in an inviting atmosphere while taking in the view of the "Peak Walk by Tissot" and the Matterhorn. Sustainability also plays an important role in the new building: 600 solar panels on the facade cover a large part of the restaurant's energy needs and 6 percent of the annual consumption of the operating company Gstaad 3000 AG. Rigi: Past meets present The Rigi also attracts with a wide range of offerings and a unique mix of past and present. The oldest

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Venice entry: Tickets can be booked from April 25, 2024

Venice is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. "The long-announced entrance fee will now come into force on certain days from April 25th: In future, day visitors will have to reserve their trip to the old town online in advance and pay an entrance fee of five euros. This measure is intended to better control the flow of holidaymakers," says ÖAMTC travel expert Yvette Polasek. In future, travelers will have to reserve and pay for their Venice trip in advance at https://cda.ve.it/de/. After successful payment, a QR code will be generated that acts as a ticket and must be presented during a check. Anyone traveling without a ticket can expect fines of between 50 and 300 euros. Children under 14 and overnight guests who spend at least one night in accommodation in Venice are exempt from the fee. "It is important to note that overnight guests must also register themselves if they do not receive a QR code from the accommodation - if the name and address of the booked accommodation is provided, the fee is waived and they also receive a QR code," explains Polasek. People with a European Disability Card and their carers can be exempted from the fee by presenting their card and do not have to register online in advance. Part: 29 test days for entrance fee - permanent introduction from 2025 In order to ensure a smooth introduction of the day tickets, the city administration is testing the entrance fee in advance on 29 days in 2024. Specifically, this daily fee will have to be paid from April 25 to May 5, 2024 and on the following weekends (Saturday and Sunday) until July 13 and 14, 2024 (with the exception of January 1).

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Austrian Federal Army in Cyprus for 60 years

Austria has been participating in the "United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus" (UNFICYP) with a contingent since April 14, 1964, after the UN Security Council gave the then UN Secretary General U Thant the mandate to set up a UN peacekeeping force of over 1964 men in March 6.300. At the time, Austria provided a field hospital with a strength of 55 people. Defense Minister Tanner: "From the very beginning, Austrian soldiers made an important contribution to maintaining peace in Cyprus. At one point, with a deployment strength of over 300 'peacekeepers', we were also one of the largest troop contributors. The climatic conditions posed a major challenge in operational management. Above all, the tensions between the parties to the conflict required the utmost diplomatic action from our soldiers.” In 1972, when the Irish contingent on Cyprus was reduced, the Austrian contingent grew to battalion strength, around 300 soldiers. Tensions on the island reached their peak in 1974, with the overthrow of the Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios. Parts of the Austrian UN battalion were involved in the fighting for Nicosia airport at that time. On August 14, three Austrian “peacekeepers” fell victim to a Turkish air raid near Goshi. A total of 16 Austrian soldiers were killed or died during their deployment on the Mediterranean island. Around 17.000 Austrian “peacekeepers” were deployed on Cyprus. With the withdrawal of the Austrian UN battalion in 2001, Austria still held several staff positions in the multinational staff. Currently, two officers and one non-commissioned officer are serving for peace in Cyprus.

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OGH overturns Opodo Prime subscription sales

Anyone who was sold a paid Prime membership when booking a trip via the Opodo booking platform can now claim their money back. The Supreme Court (OGH) ruled in favor of the AK: The simultaneous conclusion of a paid Opodo Prime membership of around 75 euros when booking a trip is invalid. Consumers can claim their money back using the AK sample letter. In addition, all eleven clauses complained about by the AK are invalid, for example a clause on further automatic subscription renewal. More than one trip booked: When booking a trip, Opodo did not adequately inform consumers of the contractual conditions for the Opodo Prime subscription, in particular the costs, immediately before confirming the "buy now" button. Only in the small print was there a note that 30 euros would be automatically debited after the 74,99-day trial period. This procedure violates the Distance and Away-from-Home Selling Act (FAGG). The subscription was therefore never valid. Consumers can now claim their membership fee back. The AK also sued for eleven clauses and won. The most practical illegal clauses of the Opodo booking platform (as of September 2021): Invalid subscription: Opodo wrongly classified the booking of a trip as the conclusion of a paid Prime subscription. The automatic debit of 74,99 euros was made wrongly. Consumers can claim the money back using the AK sample letter. Invalid subscription extension: The general terms and conditions for the Opodo Prime subscription also stipulated an automatic extension of this membership if consumers had not canceled in time. However, there are clear requirements for an automatic contract extension: Both in the contract and in fact, consumers must be informed of an impending extension of the contract. In addition, they must be informed in a reasonable

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ÖAMTC warns of dangerous child seats

The mobility club and its partner organizations are currently testing the latest child seats. One model, the Peg Perego Viaggio Twist with an Isofix base, was found to have serious safety defects. ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl summarizes: "During the frontal crash test with the seat mounted against the direction of travel, the support leg broke off at the joint of the Isofix base. The seat shell then detached itself from the base and was thrown forwards along with the 15 kg dummy, which could lead to serious injuries in a real accident." The same thing happened with the seat installed in the direction of travel: here too, the support leg broke in the frontal crash. The released forces ripped the plastic housing of the base apart and caused the dummy to be thrown far up and forwards. The manufacturer was informed of the situation by the test partners and asked what measures were being taken to solve the problem. According to Peg Perego, the Viaggio Twist received its approval in October 2023 and has only been sold in small numbers since then. Due to the failure in the consumer protection test, Peg Perego has temporarily stopped selling the Viaggio Twist. Consumers who have already purchased the Peg Perego Viaggio Twist + Base Twist (or just the Base Twist) should contact the point of sale or the manufacturer's service contact. Unsafe product on sale - why is that possible? The frontal impact tests carried out by the ÖAMTC and its partner organizations as part of the consumer protection tests are based on the Euro NCAP crash tests in terms of accident severity. The products are subjected to significantly higher forces than in the legally required approval tests for child seats. However, studies in recent years have shown that many products are also

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APF recovered 2,5 million euros for passengers last year

In 2023, the APF was able to obtain a total of 2,5 million euros in compensation, compensation payments and reimbursements for travelers in more than 5.200 completed proceedings. The Agency for Passenger Rights (APF) advocates for travelers in rail, long-distance bus, scheduled ship and air transport. As part of out-of-court arbitration procedures, the APF helps travelers to assert their rights free of charge and without commission. "Satisfied passengers are a prerequisite for a well-functioning transport system. The APF provides support especially when things are not running so smoothly. As a competent arbitration body, it helps travelers to protect and enforce their rights and thus offers them great relief. I am pleased to be able to provide all passengers with this free service from the Climate Protection Ministry," said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. Overview of figures 2023 In 2023, the APF was able to obtain a total of 2,5 million euros in compensation, compensation payments and refunds for travelers in more than 5.200 concluded proceedings in its arbitration proceedings. The largest share, amounting to 2,3 million euros, is attributable to the aviation sector. On average, this means a payment of 472 euros per settlement for passengers. "Depending on the flight distance, air travelers are entitled to compensation payments in the event of long delays and flight cancellations. Travelers often had to pay for alternative transport themselves and were not adequately looked after by the airlines with meals and hotel accommodation. In the rail sector, the APF was increasingly confronted with cancellations of incorrectly booked tickets, unjustified fines and compensation claims for reduced services in night train services," says Maria-Theresia Röhsler, Head of the APF. "My thanks go to the dedicated APF team.

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Railway: “Rail cruises” in Switzerland

Just get on board and don't miss a thing. On the rail cruise you can enjoy the most popular highlights, but also lesser-known gems of Switzerland's largest holiday canton. On the Alpine Cruise, the Rhaetian Railway takes its passengers past the most beautiful and unusual places in Graubünden to Tirano in Italy. The route of the optional four-, five- or eight-day trip is just as much the goal as the destinations that can be discovered along the Arosa Line, the Albula Line and the Bernina Line. The Rhaetian Railway trains cross unique viaducts on their journey and the large panoramic windows of the Bernina Express allow an incomparable view of the Swiss Alps. The journey through Chur begins leisurely. But soon the stroll through the city on rails is over: now the red train becomes a mountain railway. After countless curves, Arosa welcomes you with fresh mountain air, sunshine and a pinch of humor. From Thusis, the Rhaetian Railway climbs through spiral tunnels and over viaducts up the Albula Valley towards St. Moritz. The line, which is harmoniously embedded in the landscape, is a showpiece from the time of the railway pioneers and is part of the UNESCO RhB World Heritage Site. The Bernina Line between St. Moritz, Valposchiavo and Tirano impressively connects the north and south of Europe. It leads past mountains, lakes and glaciers down to the palm trees in the Valtellina. The famous panoramic route is part of the UNESCO RhB World Heritage Site - a trademark for railway lovers from all over the world. The Alpine Cruise offers the luxury of deciding whether the "rail cruiser" wants to relax or be active. The four, five or eight-day trip includes overnight stays in the

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Lower Austrian tourism study presented

At a press conference at the Hotel-Gasthof Graf in St. Pölten on Tuesday, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner presented the results of a current study - carried out by the market research institute MANOVA - on the economic factor of tourism in Lower Austria. Tourism is an important economic pillar, said the governor, because "more than two billion euros are generated annually in tourism in Lower Austria." The focus is on spa or health tourism, with 21 percent of overnight stays, 36 percent are accounted for by seminar and business tourism, according to the study, and "the largest area is classic holiday tourism, which is responsible for 43 percent of all overnight stays." In addition, there is a clear trend towards quality tourism, with the number of four-star beds having increased to around twelve percent in the last five years. "A clear trend towards holiday and quality tourism in Lower Austria," said Mikl-Leitner, and the state wants to promote this as much as possible. “Over the past five years, we have supported around 1.600 investment projects with more than 32 million euros in grants, thereby implementing investments totalling 247 million euros.” Many new businesses have been created, such as the Hotel Garni Zwettl, the Kittenberger Chalets in Schiltern, the Refugium Lunz and the Hafnertec in Wieselburg. Many businesses have also used the funding to improve quality – the Lower Austrian Inn Package has been particularly successful here, “where we have provided four million euros in funding,” said the governor, who went on to explain: “175 hosts are investing in their businesses and we are triggering more than 20 million euros in investments, which above all also generate orders

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Styria with numerous attractions in summer 2024

The best way to travel through the Green Heart next summer is from A for Ausseerland to T for thermal and volcanic land. The topics are incredibly broad: from the European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024 to 950 years of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont with the world's largest monastery library in the Gesäuse National Park to Formula 1 Grand Prix, Moto GP or Airpower in the Murtal to the new Dachstein mountain station as an "energy crystal" on the highest mountain in Styria. The thermal and volcanic land is the most popular golf destination in Austria in 2024 and those hungry for exercise can cycle and hike perfectly from alpine to southern hilly, always strengthened by the best culinary delights - from "Alpine culinary delights by Richard Rauch" to picnics in the vineyard. Culinary delights have never been more of a focus, and the application for the Green Heart has never been bigger than this year. Styrian trams in Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Amsterdam and Vienna, digital branding at major events in Germany alongside many digital external appearances from Poland to the Czech Republic and facade advertising in Vienna, many podcaster, influencer and streaming platform collaborations, international print, radio and TV presence, guerrilla marketing campaigns in the Netherlands, Styrian appearance in Italy, business collaborations with, for example, a fashion brand in Hungary, and much more: these are just a few examples of the largest national and international appearance that Styria has ever implemented in seven markets in order to bring the Green Heart into the spotlight and thus into the shortlist of holiday choices. In addition, a separate summer campaign is being played out together with all adventure regions, which also strongly emphasizes the culinary side of Styria in order to draw attention to the Green Heart. Styrian accommodation providers will

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Hidden payment fees cost consumers dearly

1,9 billion euros in losses: In Germany, hidden fees in inflated exchange rates, high costs for international transactions and expenses abroad by travelers are incurred. On behalf of Wise, the economic research company Capital Economics has determined that consumers and companies in Germany lost 1,9 billion euros last year through hidden fees on international payments - for example for travel, business, education or supporting relatives abroad. Consumers paid around 2023 million euros in hidden fees in 551 The hidden fees that German consumers paid as part of personal expenses while traveling amount to 288 million euros. The fees for transfers abroad or from abroad to Germany totaled 263 million euros. These hidden fees arise, for example, from exchange rate surcharges on currency conversions when transferring money abroad, withdrawing cash or making card payments. German companies even paid around 1,3 billion euros in fees Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) paid 1,3 billion euros in hidden fees last year. Many companies are deterred from expanding abroad by the costs and complexity of international payments. In 2021, German SMEs' export turnover to third countries was over 100 billion euros. The problem could be solved if the market were transparent: it would enable SMEs to make a fair market comparison and promote competition between providers. However, SMEs are currently not protected by transparency regulations in either the EU or Germany. How do hidden fees arise? The reason for hidden fees is usually currency conversion, which can be difficult even within Europe.

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