London's loss will be Waterford's gain this week when Austrian business students arrive in the south-east for a fortnight's work experience.
The 34-strong party from the Vienna Business School would have been London-bound but the strength of sterling against the euro has made the cost of such a trip prohibitive.
Mr Don Andermahr, the Bournemouth-based agent who organised the trip, chose Waterford last year as an alternative to London when organising a similar tour for a smaller group from the same school.
"My wife, Helena, is from Waterford so I know the city very well," he said. A presentation on Waterford's attractions was made to the Austrian students and their parents and the city was "sold".
The group stays until April 7th and each person will be placed in a company in or close to the city. Waterford Chamber of Commerce has been working with Mr Andermahr's company to secure places for the students.
A programme of visits to attractions such as the Waterford Treasures museum and wine-tasting at Waterford Crystal, to promote the best of Austrian wines, will form part of the excursion. There is a "strong social side" to the experience, says Mr Andermahr, and 12 of the students will spend a day at Waterford Institute of Technology observing how the institute is run.