Economy Of Velden am Wörther See
Velden am Wörther See is a market town and a popular tourist destination in the district of Villach-Land in the Austrian state of Carinthia. The town is situated on the western shore of Lake Wörth, the largest and most famous lake in Carinthia. Velden is known for its scenic beauty, cultural events, and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to the famous Schloss Velden, a former palace that now serves as a luxury hotel and casino.
The town has a strong and diversified economy, mainly based on tourism, but also on other sectors, such as production, trade, and public services. The town also has a high quality of life, with a range of educational, social, and cultural opportunities for its residents and visitors.
Tourism
Tourism is the main economic activity in Velden, as the town attracts visitors from Austria and abroad throughout the year. Velden offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as swimming, boating, hiking, biking, golfing, and skiing. The town also hosts several festivals and events, such as the White Nights, the Harley Davidson European Bike Week, and the Advent Market. Velden is especially popular in the summer months, when the town becomes a hotspot for celebrities and high society.
According to the latest statistics, Velden has over 2,500 jobs, of which 100 are in agriculture and almost 400 are in the production and commercial sectors. However, the majority of the workforce is employed in the service sector, which accounts for over 2,000 jobs. The most important subsectors in the service sector are the social and public services, with 600 employees, and the accommodation and catering sector, with 500 employees. In addition, the trade sector is a significant employer in the area, with 400 employees (as of 2011).
Velden records approximately 500,000 overnight stays per year, of which over 100,000 occur in the months of July and August. The average length of stay is 3.5 days, and the occupancy rate is 54%. About half of the guests are Austrians, followed by Germans, Italians, and Swiss. The town also attracts visitors from other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the UK, as well as from overseas markets, such as the USA, Canada, and China (as of 2019).
Traffic
Velden is well connected to the rest of the country and the region by various modes of transport. The town is located on the Southern Railway, which connects Vienna with Italy and Slovenia. Velden has two railway stations: the historic Velden station, which is near the town center, and the Lind/Rosegg station, which is in the local area. The town is served by regular trains and S-Bahn (suburban rail) connections to Villach and Klagenfurt, the two largest cities in Carinthia.
The town is also accessible by road, as it lies on the southern A2 motorway, which runs from Vienna to the Italian border. Velden has two feeder roads that connect it to the motorway: Velden East and Velden West. The town is also on the Carinthian federal highway B 83, which runs along the northern shore of Lake Wörth and connects Velden with other towns and villages in the region.
