On Monday, January 30, 2023, the 3rd drawing of the program will take place “Tourism for all” this concerns 125,000 new beneficiaries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 400,000 this year alone.

Sophia Zacharakis, Deputy Minister of Tourism, told APE-MPE that digital cards can be used until the end of June, so beneficiaries should hurry up and use them.

Speaking about “Tourism for All”, Ms. Zaharaki noted that this is a program that started in 20-21 as a measure to support tourism during a pandemic. Thanks to this, 19 million euros were redeemed from 200,000 beneficiaries.

He added that the program has a dual goal: firstly, to support our fellow citizens during global crises, and secondly, to expand the flow of tourists throughout the country and throughout the year.

This year, as emphasized, the program has been significantly modernized. It is now provided with a digital card on a mobile phone and the subsidy is 150 euros per beneficiary and 200 euros per person with a disability. It covers accommodation at every destination in the country and for all winter months, thus contributing to the long-awaited extension of the season.

“We made sure that the money was credited to enterprises immediately,” the deputy minister notes. The program for 2022-2023 has a budget of more than 64 million euros, while in the 4.5 years of the previous government of SYRIZA, the Ministry of Tourism has never provided a corresponding subsidy for accommodation,” notes Ms Zaharaki.

Most Popular Destinations

In terms of program benefits, it is of particular interest that alternative destinations and hinterlands have been particularly strengthened.

Overall, the best regions were Central Macedonia, Peloponnese, Attica and Thessaly, while Western Greece, Western Macedonia and the North Aegean showed the biggest positive changes during the winter months.

Major cities (Thessaloniki-Athens) stood out among the directions, as well as more alternative options (such as Tolo, Parga, Ioannina, Edipsos, Thassos, Kalavryta, 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 to continue the program in the future, constantly improving it for the benefit of its beneficiaries, as well as Greek tourism in general,” emphasizes Ms Zacharakis.

What Program Winners Should Know

Beneficiaries of the program drawn on January 30th should be aware that each non-material digital prepaid card is redeemed either once at the same tourist facility or in installments at a consecutive tourist facility, depending on its available balance, at any time at the request of the recipient until 30.06. . 2023.

However, any type of mobile phone can be used in the process of applying to the program and activating an intangible prepaid card.

However, once an intangible prepaid card is activated to be used at a POS, it must be connected to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used by a smartphone that supports NFC transactions.

It can also be used by sending your details to the respective websites of accommodation providers without using NFC technology. Attention: Only one non-material debit card can be inserted into each mobile phone for transactions.

The non-material digital prepaid card is individual and can be used in any hotel or tourist facility until the end of June 2023.

With regard to any restrictions, it is emphasized that there are no restrictions on the number of overnight stays, nor on the period that the beneficiary chooses to use their individual digital check.

The only condition is that the total amount of the contactless payment must not exceed 150 euros (or 200 euros for the disabled). There are also no geographical restrictions, as the program involves the accommodation of tourists throughout the country.

Example of spending the program amount

The recipient can use the €150 amount once, but they can “split” the total amount and use it in different time periods as they wish.

For example, he can spend 50 euros on a hotel stay during the summer months, and spend the remaining 100 euros for the same purposes in the fall, winter, next spring or early next summer.

In any case, for any question, you can send your question by e-mail [email protected]