Greek Social Tourism Voucher Holders Flock to Evia and Halkidiki in July

Beach Mykoniatika, Halkidiki.

In July, a total of 14,464 vouchers from Greece’s 2024-2025 Social Tourism program were redeemed for vacation accommodations across the country. Issued by Greece’s Public Employment Service (DYPA), these vouchers offer subsidized holidays to unemployed and low-income Greeks and their families.

The most popular destination for voucher holders in July was Evia, followed by Halkidiki and Preveza. Data for the period of July 1-31 reveal the following regional units as having the highest number of vouchers redeemed:

– Evia: 2,986 vouchers (20.6 percent of the total)
– Halkidiki: 1,170 vouchers (8.1 percent)
– Preveza: 1,009 vouchers (7 percent)
– Pieria: 801 vouchers (5.5 percent)
– Argolis: 795 vouchers (5.5 percent)

Additional notable regions include: Lefkada with 638 vouchers (4.4 percent) redeemed, Magnesia with 626 vouchers (4.3 percent), Chios with 516 vouchers (3.6 percent), Islands in the Attica Region with 463 vouchers (3.2 percent) and Thasos with 422 vouchers (2.9 percent).

Limni, Evia. Photo source: Visit Greece

The 2024-2025 Social Tourism program is set to run until June 30, 2025, with voucher holders able to redeem their vouchers throughout this period. The program offers a basic vacation package of six overnight stays at participating accommodations, with recipients required to make their own reservations and cover a small percentage of the total cost.

Voucher holders can stay free of charge for up to ten nights at accommodations on the islands of Leros, Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Samos. In North Evia, Evros and Thessaly (excluding the Sporades islands), the program extends to 12 free overnight stays.

In addition to covering accommodation costs, the program subsidizes ferry tickets by 75 percent for voucher holders. Those with vouchers who have severe health issues receive ferry tickets at no cost.

DYPA’s initiative is part of a broader set of social tourism measures introduced by the Greek government to provide Greeks with vacation discounts and promote domestic tourism.