Haider And All That

FEBRUARY 12: Oh, Austria. After my return from Austria when I heard that exclamation little did that I realise the next question would not...

FEBRUARY 12: Oh, Austria. After my return from Austria when I heard that exclamation little did that I realise the next question would not be on Austria8217;s beauty or music but on Joerg Haider and the recent demonstrations. People around appeared to be rather anxious to hear the first-hand report. I was so full of the nostalgic trip that I did not really feel very comfortable thinking about politics, but then I did not want to be dubbed ignorant or indifferent either.

So what about Haider? I was glad that at the end of my trip I had an idea of what to say though I am no political commentator. When I started hearing a symphony orchestrated by Haider sympathisers I wanted to know a bit about the mainstage composer. Indeed, Joerg Haider the right-wing elected leader is seen as a dreaded devil today by many, mostly by members of the Opposition parties or by those outside Austria.

It was interesting to speak to two people for and against Haider one had worked for the office of the right wing Freedom Party and the other was a daughter of a socialist politician. As obvious, since the problems began when the socialists, after the October election, fell apart, they see him as a promoter of the neo-Nazi movement.

Through his ideas on nationalism, the Freedom Party views the anti-Haider allegations as coming from the rich Jews, in particular of the US, without regard for the effort to bring a stable government. Their comments were a reminder of the political scenario of the past few years. An aura of fear encircles Haider more because of Adolf Hitler being an Austrian, despite the fact that he ruled in Germany not in Austria.

Any views on the subject are marked by one comment, even if they are by conservatives, that Austrians have a right to their government, so let the Austrians decide themselves, if the world believes in democratic ways.My trip to Austria also brought me face to face with its thriving business tourism. In the midst of the political crisis, the Austrian National Tourism office was showcasing Austria to hundreds of buyers from all over the world with full enthusiasm and no signs turmoil.

It was the 25th year of the National Annual Tourism Fair of the Austrian Tourism Business. By now very well-known in India, the Swarovski crystals to heritage hotels, from Sound Of Music tours to special dinner concerts, from official tourist organisations to international hotels, from Austrian Airlines to city sightseeing tours, they all stood together for the tourist from far and wide. The Austrian National Tourist office is targeting the conventional markets but also fast-emerging markets like India.

Michael Hofrer, CEO of the Austrian Tourist Office wants Austria to be a 8220;must-see destination not just another stopover8221;.

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Austrians seem to celebrate everything they have: historical cities, music, painting, wine, beer, and even tourists having touched the record billing of 200 billion Austrian schillings in 1999. The recent turbulence has certainly not come in the way of tourism at a high altitude, as was very visible from the jam-packed train between Innsbruck and Munich and the smiling faces of ski holidayers. When it comes to tourism and culture I will definitely say, Oh! Austria.

The writer is the author of the Harper Collins book, Where Silence Sings: Sounds and Rhythms of the Raj, and was on a visit to Austria last week