GNTO’s “Tourism for All” Program Launched

The “Tourism for All” discounted vacation program will run as of this month until 31 May 2013, according to a decision signed last month by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni aimed to boost the domestic tourism market.

The program provides vouchers for social groups with mid and low income to take holidays in tourism establishments everywhere in Greece. It includes discounts at Greek hotels and other lodges of all categories that obtain the GNTO seal.

The “Tourism for All” program for 2012-2013 is covered by a budget of 5.5 million euros and divided into two sub-programs through which 81,200 vouchers will be distributed to beneficiaries.

The first sub-program offers six-day holidays (five overnight stays) from August 2012 until 31 May 2013 and the second sub-program is aimed for the elderly and will run from 1 October 2012 to 31 May 2013.

The GNTO’s “Tourism for All” program is Greece’s sole social tourism program in effect and will run as of this month until 31 May 2013.

Eligible for the sub-programs are low-income employees and pensioners with their dependents that were not beneficiaries of the (now abolished) social tourism program of the Workers’ Welfare Organization (OEE), disabled persons with disability upper to 67 percent and multi-child parents.

Details of the program, participation requirements, participating hotels, accommodation prices and further information are available from the Citizen Service Centers (KEP), GNTO offices and the GNTO sites www.gnto.gov.gr and www.visitegreece.gr.

The “Tourism for All” program is Greece’s sole social tourism program in effect. Other social tourism programs, run by public authorities, were abolished in February as they were included on an agreement of austerity measures with Greece’s creditors.

At that time, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels had volunteered to run the subsidized tourism holiday programs but received no response from the government. The chamber’s president, Yiorgos Tsakiris, said the proposal would be re-submitted to the new tourism leadership.