Greece Doubles ‘Tourism for All’ Subsidized Vacation Vouchers

Twice as many Greeks are eligible this year for subsidized holidays under the government’s “Tourism for All” program, said the tourism ministry, announcing that an additional 200,000 people will be able to get the benefit.

The annual program, which covers a portion of the cost of vacation for lower-income Greeks, has been updated and after the decision of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, an extra 30 million euros will be allocated to the plan in addition to the initial budget of 31 million euros. Now, with a new budget of 61 million euros the plan will subsidize the holidays of some 400,000 Greeks in total in 2022.

The “Tourism for All” program covers the cost of accommodation, transport and food through digital vouchers issued by vouchers.gov.gr.

Those entitled under the program will be able to redeem their vouchers from mid-September onward through to June 2023. The deadline for applications was July 21. The first round of vouchers will be issued by lottery drawing next week, the ministry said.

The new upgraded support scheme offers a total subsidy of 150 euros for accommodation costs and payments are made digitally. At the same time, business owners are compensated immediately.

Under the same program, people with disabilities are entitled to 200 euros.

“Beneficiaries of the 2022 program have now increased to 400,000 as part of ongoing efforts  to support the average Greek family, professionals and workers in the tourism industry. In this way, at the same time, we are strengthening our effort to extend the tourist season, stimulate winter and city break tourism and ensure activity all year round,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

The minister underlined that it is a ministry and government priority to distribute the returns to Greek society.

“For the first time, we have such a broad network of support to strengthen domestic tourism so that even our most vulnerable citizens can enjoy the beauties of our country and take the breath they all deserve,” he said.

More information on Greece’s “Tourism for All” subsidized holiday program can be found here (in Greek).

Meanwhile, in relevant news, the second phase of the so-called “North Evia – Samos Pass”, which covers, through the use of a debit card, accommodation, food and transport costs for some 32,000 beneficiaries goes into effect from today through to August 31.

The 6-million-euro program, in its second phase, is aimed at stimulating tourist activity by serving as an incentive to visit Northern Evia, which suffered devastating damage and loss due to forest fires last year, and Samos, which has been dealing with the refugee influx over the last few years.