The third draw concerns 125,000 new beneficiaries, who will be able to redeem the digital cards until June 30
On Monday, January 30, 2023, the 3rd draw of the Program will take place “Tourism for All» which concerns 125,000 new beneficiaries, thus reaching 400,000 in total for this year alone. This is what the Deputy Minister of Tourism emphasizes to the Athenian Macedonian News Agency Sophia Zacharakis underlining that the digital cards can be redeemed until the end of June, so it would be good for the beneficiaries to hurry to take advantage of them, as he notes.
Focusing on the “Tourism for all” program, Ms. Zaharaki pointed out that it is a program that started in 20-21 as a measure to support tourism in the pandemic, and through it 19 million euros were redeemed from 200,000 beneficiaries. In fact, the “Tourism for All” program of the Ministry of Tourism has a double objective: firstly, the support – in times of global crises – of our fellow citizens, and secondly, the expansion of tourist traffic throughout the country and throughout the year, said Mrs. Zaharaki .
This year, as highlighted, the program has been significantly upgraded. Now it is granted with a digital card on our mobile phone, while the subsidy amounts to 150 euros per beneficiary, and 200 euros for our fellow citizens with disabilities. It covers accommodation in every destination in the country, and for the entire winter months, thus contributing to the long-awaited extension of the season, while we ensured that the businesses were credited with the money immediately, notes the Deputy Minister. The program for 2022-2023 has a budget that exceeds 64 million euros, at the same time that in the 4.5 years of the previous SYRIZA government, no corresponding accommodation subsidy had ever been granted by the Ministry of Tourism, notes Mrs. Zaharaki.
As far as the benefits of the program are concerned, it is of special interest that alternative destinations and the hinterland were especially strengthened. The top overall regions were those of Central Macedonia, Peloponnese, Attica and Thessaly, while the greatest positive change in the winter months was shown by Western Greece, Western Macedonia and the Northern Aegean. Among the destinations, the big cities (Thessaloniki-Athens) stood out, but also more alternative options (such as Tolo, Parga, Ioannina, Edipsos, Thassos, Kalavrita, Kastoria).
“At the Ministry of Tourism, we remain committed to the government’s commitment to practical and targeted support for Greek citizens, and we are already planning the continuation of the program in the future, constantly improving it, for the benefit of its beneficiaries, but also of Greek tourism as a whole”, emphasizes Mrs. Zacharakis.
What the winners of the program should know
Beneficiaries of the program drawn on January 30th should know that each immaterial digital prepaid card is redeemed either once at the same tourist accommodation or in parts at successive tourist accommodation depending on the available balance at any time the beneficiary wishes until 6/30/2023.
At the same time, during the process of submitting the application to the Program and activating the immaterial prepaid card, any type of mobile phone can be used. But once the immaterial prepaid card is activated, to be used at a POS terminal, it must be connected to Apple Pay or Google Pay services and used by a smartphone that supports NFC transactions. Alternatively, it can be used by submitting its details to appropriate websites of accommodation providers without the use of NFC technology. ATTENTION: Only one immaterial debit card can be inserted into each mobile phone for transactions!
They should also know that the immaterial digital prepaid card is individual and can be redeemed at any hotel or tourist accommodation until the end of June 2023. Regarding any restrictions, it is emphasized that there is no restriction on the number of nights, nor in the period when the beneficiary chooses to use his individual digital check. The only condition is that the total amount of the contactless payment does not exceed 150 euros (or 200 euros for the disabled). There is also no geographical limitation, as tourist accommodation throughout the country participates in the Program.
Example of expenditure of the program amount
The beneficiary can use the amount of 150 euros once, but he can “break” the total amount and use it in different periods of time, in any way he wishes. For example, he can spend 50 euros on staying in a hotel during the summer months and use the remaining 100 euros for the same purpose in the fall, winter, next spring or early next summer. Thus, the Program also contributes to the goal of extending the tourist season to twelve months a year. In any case, for any question, you can submit your question via email [email protected]
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