Question about race relations and tourists in Vienna?

I am traveling with a diverse group of American tourists to Vienna in a few days. We are a group of four women from various ethnic backgrounds and religions (black, white, indian, jewish, hindi catholic, protestant). We ordered a Rick Steve's travel book for Austria and it said that Austria has a newly elected, racist, right winged government. Other people have called the locals a bunch of nazis.Those statements shed a different light on Vienna. We dont want anyone to feel uncomfortable or be confronted with racist treatment on what is suppose to be a fun vacation. Any real advice would be appreciated...even if it is to change destinations.

Your Rick Steves books are out of date: a center-left coalition was recently elected in Austria, and the far-right Freedom Party is out of power (and much less popular than it used to be). But there is still some racism in Austria -- particularly against blacks and muslims. Until recently, Austria has been a mono-racial culture, and they're just not as used to seeing faces of different colors as we are in the US. So the average Austrian (= middle-age, center-right People's Party voter) is a little scared of dark-skinned people, and will do the stupid passive-aggressive things around them that you still sometimes see in the US -- things like eying them suspiciously in stores, or moving one extra seat away on the bus. On top of that, some Austrians blame the recent influx of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East for much of their recent crime and other social problems. You and your friends should not feel threatened in any way -- Austria is still one of the safest countries in Europe -- but you might see racist graffiti here and there (if you can read it).

Vienna in particular is just about as tolerant and cosmopolitan as anywhere in Europe, and it's well on its way to becoming a truly multi-ethnic city. The young people in particular are very open-minded today. It's just the older generation that might be a little cold towards your group (colder than they would be to the average foreigner, I mean). On the whole, if you just ignore them, your visit should be fine. In the touristy parts of Vienna, you'll see a great deal of diversity and you probably won't notice any racism at all. But if you take Rick's advice and go off the beaten track looking for the "real Austria"... well, I'll just say you might find the "real Austria," and leave it at that.

First of all, the right winged party is not in our government any more. Saying the locals of Austria are a bunch of Nazis is not only insulting but not true either. I am Austrian and I am neither a Nazi nor a racist. That is an unfair generalisation, nevertheless I can understand that all these statements have made you nervous about travelling to Vienna. Honestly, you can get in to troubles in Vienna like in every other city in the world but I think you should give it a try. Personally I have experienced Vienna as a multicultural and very open city.

Hope u are enjoying your trip, where ever it is going to.

Don't change your travel plans. Austria and Vienna particularely were very cosmopolitan and multicultural until the late 1920's when it became handy to blame others (jews, slavs, gypises, communists, intellectuals and so on) for economic hardship. This attitude dominated Austria past the end of WW2, until the 70's I'd say, but Vienna becoming one of the 3 United Nations Headquarters (the other two being Geneva and NYC) in 1978 and the colapse of the Soviet empire in 1990 (Vienna is the gateway to the west for most Eastern Europeans) have opened Vienna completely to the world and again made it mone of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, along with the likes of London and Paris, more so than much larger cities such as Rome or Madrid for that matter. I lived in Vienna from 1974 to 1982 and have been a frequent traveller there since and have seen the change. If you change your travel plans you'd miss on a cultural and architectural jewel.

You have nothing to worry about. I have travelled to Vienna and other cities in Austria as a tourist since I was a little kid. I have family and friends there. I have also stayed in Vienna alone and done the touristy things like bus tours, walking along the streets taking photos of statues and buildings, going to museums and churches, eating at outdoor cafes, drinking beer at the local pubs,etc. I have even done this late at night and had not felt threatened. Most Viennese are warn, friendly outgoing people. Remember, Vienna is a city that thrives on tourism. But you also have to use a bit of common sense - when the pubs close you will have some drunkards on the streets on which you want to avoid (like in any city).

I do have some advice though for a tourist new to the sprawling city of Vienna and who perhaps does not speak German - book your hotel in the Ringstrasse area. That's central or downtown Vienna which is where most of the best hotels, restaurants, museums, churches, theatres, etc are located. Everything is pretty much in walking distance. And, most people here speak some English. But public transit is very good in Vienna - tram service and the U-Bahn if you want to go further afield and visit the world famous Schonbrunn Palace or Belvedere Palaces. You can purchase from your hotel a Vienna Card (different options) for tourists which gives you free public transit access, discounts to museums, etc. Vienna is such a cosmopolitan city, so much history is everywhere, and there is a lot to see and do here.

I have to tell you I am not a big fan of Rick Steve's. I believe that one should travel with an open mind, expect the unexpected, and always look for the silver lining. If you go to Vienna with a positive outlook, good humour, and a sense of adventure - I really believe you will have a wonderful time.

Enjoy your trip!

Cheers,

Petra M, Vancouver