The submission of applications for the “Tourism for All 2024” program has begun, which for the first time includes an increased holiday voucher (voucher) worth up to 400 euros.
All potential beneficiaries who meet the criteria have the right to submit until Monday, April 1, 23:59 (see here). Beneficiaries can issue an immaterial digital debit card, which they will use for their stay in any hotel or accommodation of their choice in the country.
The new Program of the Ministry of Tourism, which is implemented with the support of the Information Society, in collaboration with the Ministries of Digital Governance, National Economy and Finance, aims to immediately strengthen the domestic tourism activity by covering a significant part of the accommodation costs of the beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries and criteria
The Program, which is the upgraded digital version of the “Tourism for All 2022” Program, provides for:
- Increased subsidy of 200 euros per beneficiary (from 150 euros foreseen in the previous Program),
- Amount of 300 euros to natural persons:
- unmarried or widowed with dependent children, based on the last cleared when submitting the 2022 Personal Income Tax Declaration application,
- married or parties to a cohabitation agreement with three or more protected children, based on the last cleared at the time of submitting the joint or separate Personal Income Tax Declaration 2022. It is noted that invoking the existence of the above number of children in order to receive the increased support is possible once.
- pensioners of all Funds with a final decision to award a pension due to old age until 31.12.2022, who meet the conditions defined in the relevant Joint Ministerial Decision and invitation.
- Special provision for a higher subsidy of 400 Euros for PWDs with a disability of 67% or more and beneficiaries with PWD children with a disability of 67% or more.
- Contactless payment and redemption of the amount of the digital debit card, at any accommodation provider (hotels, accommodation, etc.) and at any destination in the country, without geographical restrictions.
- Immediate reimbursement of providers, which puts an end to waiting and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures.
- Consumption of the amount in one go or in installments until December 2024, in order to support the choice of vacations outside the peak tourist season.
Statements Kefalogiannis
The Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, emphasized the strong social sign of the new program with the significant support of the beneficiaries, the increase in the income criterion, the inclusion of new categories of special social groups. It is part, as he said, of the government’s broader effort to support Greek households and businesses, as well as the ministry’s new strategy for the sustainability of the tourism product. The minister added that the program in question reinforces the goal of extending the tourist season and aims to directly boost domestic tourism activity.
The wider utilization of the program, says Mrs. Kefalogianni, by citizens as well as by hoteliers, will also strengthen the mountainous regions of our country, which operate mainly outside the summer season.
The minister thanks in advance the hotel units that will support this year’s “Tourism for All” program and will provide the beneficiaries with the best hospitality. The enlistment of all, the minister concluded, with the aim of developing tourism and offering high-level services, contributes to the faster development of the Greek tourist product.
The strong social sign of the new program was also mentioned by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elena Rapti, pointing out that it is improved for the benefit of its beneficiaries and at the same time developmental for the benefit of Greek tourism as a whole. The Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Rapti added, responds to the multiple bet, to meet the need for vacations especially for those who cannot easily take them, to promote the sustainability of destinations and to expand tourism activity throughout the country beyond usual peak months.
The deputy minister thanks everyone in the services of the Ministry of Tourism and the Information Society, whose employees systematically led the achievement of the project.
Social tourism
Social tourism voucher holders have a chance to escape ahead of Maundy Monday and Easter.
It should be noted that the holidays with the social tourism program 2023-24 can take place until June 30, 2024.
This is a highly enhanced and attractive program, both for the beneficiaries and for the providers, as it is characterized by a reduced to zero private participation for the beneficiaries in the cost of the overnight stay in tourist accommodation and increased subsidized prices for the providers.
Beneficiaries and destinations
Beneficiaries and beneficiaries can spend up to six nights in a tourist accommodation they choose from the DYPA Register of Providers, after their direct consultation with the provider.
The accommodations in Leros, Lesvos, Chios, Kos can be made up to 10 nights with zero private participation.
In the accommodations of Rhodes, N. Evia, Evros and Samos, up to 12 nights can be spent completely free of charge.
It is reminded that in addition to accommodation in tourist accommodation, the ferry tickets are also subsidized. The participation of the general category of beneficiaries amounts to 25%, of those with many children to 20%. For the disabled, the ferry tickets are available free of charge.
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2024-04-17 18:27:15