Almost 80,000 Greeks Used Discounted Vacation Vouchers in June

Halkidiki. Photo source: Visit Halkidiki.

The last 79,977 vouchers of Greece’s “Social Tourism” program for the period 2023-2024 were used in June, with holders having preferred to take vacations in Evia, Halkidiki and Pieria as their first three choices, according to the Public Employment Service (DYPA).

The vouchers were part of DYPA’s social tourism program for 2023-2024, which offers subsidized holidays for unemployed and lower income Greeks and their families. DYPA’s program was just one of the social tourism schemes announced last year by the Greek government aimed at offering Greeks discounts on their vacations in the country and at the same time boosting domestic tourism.

Budget for new 2024-2025 program up by 43%

DYPA is now initiating the 2024-2025 same program, which will run to the June 30, 2025, and will make available 300,000 vouchers to people who are entitled to them to take a vacation in the country and at the same time support the Greek tourism sector.

The new program, active since July 1, will be funded with 50 million euros, with its budget being increased by 43 percent since the year past. People entitled to the vouchers can spend up to 6 nights in hotels all over Greece, while in certain areas of the country, such as the islands of Lesvos, Leros, Chios, Kos and Samos, their stay may be extended up to ten and in other areas such as Evia, Larissa and the Evros in northern Greece, they may even amount to 12.

With the vouchers, the overnight stays are free for their holders, while their ship tickets can also be funded to the tune of 75 percent, with those for people with special needs being totally free.

Anyone who had applied for tourism vouchers for the 2004-2005 public support program, should look up their availability at the DYPA. Approved applications will be confirmed by the last number of each applicant’s Tax Id (AFM) and Social Security Number (AMKA).