Twice as many Greeks are eligible this year for subsidized holidays under Greece's “Tourism for All” scheme, with 200,000 more people to get the benefit.
Sixteen major European airlines have confirmed that they reimbursed over 500,000 vouchers that they had imposed on consumers for cancelled flights during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Greece has revised regulations on refund claims for bookings of airlines, ferries, yachts, hotels and travel packages that were canceled due to Covid-19.
Making vouchers for canceled travel more attractive, as an alternative to reimbursement in money, would increase their acceptance by consumers, according to the European Commission.
Twelve EU member states, including Greece, have requested for the European Commission to approve the temporary issuance of vouchers for canceled trips due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The European Commission is not against vouchers as an alternative to cash refunds for canceled travel bookings due to Covid-19, but only if they are voluntary and secured against insolvency of travel operators.
Greek airlines, ferries and tourism enterprises are allowed to reimburse customers with 18-month vouchers for canceled bookings due to Covid-19, instead of cash refunds.
Consumer groups in Greece are calling for the implementation of EU regulations that foresee full refunds for travel plans that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A provision is expected to soon pass in Greek Parliament that will allow tourism enterprises to issue 18-month vouchers to customers, instead of paying cash refunds, in efforts to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 cancellations.
IATA’s CEO explains to travel agents the association's “flexible approach” to BSP payments, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and informs that it considers travel vouchers as "the best answer" instead of ticket refunds.
Τhe European Commission is encouraging customers to opt for vouchers instead of refunds and consider traveling at a later date, in an attempt to offset losses for the travel industry due to COVID-19.
Greeks that are eligible to receive vouchers for subsidized vacations, through the Greek National Tourism Organization's social tourism program "Tourism For All," may apply to the Citizen Service Centers (KEP) as of 12 March.
Tomorrow, Tuesday 10 September, is the last day the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) will accept applications for social tourism vouchers for its 2013-2014 program.
Vouchers for this season’s “Tourism for All” state-subsidized vacation program will be distributed on Friday, 19 July, from the Citizen Service Centers (KEP).
The UK media has applauded Greece for the ‘Rodos Week’ initiative that offers free hotel stays to travelers that were forced to flee Rhodes in July 2023 due to wildfires.
