Bona Viaja +65 initiative receives 12,500 applications in a week
Nuria Montes underlined the great response to the program both by users over 65 years old and registered in the Valencian Community as well as by accommodation and travel agencies.
The new social tourism programme Bono Viaja +65, promoted by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, has received more than 12,500 applications during its first week of registration, of which 1,500 have already formalised their application to be able to travel from 14 October to 20 December 2024.
This is a pioneering initiative developed by the Generalitat Valenciana with the objective of encouraging travel by older people outside the high season, helping to de-seasonalise and maintain tourism employment beyond the summer. The registration period opened on Monday 23rd September and more than 6,000 applications were received within the first four hours.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, underlined the “great response” that the programme has received, both from users, all of them over 65 years old and registered in the Comunidad Valenciana, and from the tourism sector in the three provinces. With regards to the latter, she said that “in one week we have almost doubled the number of companies that have joined, currently having 170 travel agencies and accommodations of different types registered.”
Travel agencies and tourist accommodation establishments registered in the Tourism Registry of the Comunidad Valenciana can take part in the Bono Viaja +65 initiative, which range from hotel establishments, blocks and sets of tourist apartments, campsites, rural houses, hostels and companies that manage tourist housing. The Valencian hotels and accommodations that are part of the scheme will receive an incentive of 35 euros, compared to the 23 euros of the national programme.
Bona Viaja +65
More than a million euros has been invested in this pilot edition of the Bono Viaja +65 scheme which is expected to attract more than 7,000 applicants and will generate 50,000 overnight stays in the low season. Registration for the program will be valid until December 20.
Successful applicants will be able to book stays between 5 and 10 nights on a half-board basis with a 40% discount on a wide range of accommodation. Reservations can also be made through travel agencies that will receive a commission of 20 euros per operation compared to the 12.50 euros they receive in the Imserso.
The maximum eligible cost of the scheme will be 600 euros for a single person and 900 euros with a companion. The price of accommodation is set at 70 euros per day for a double room or 50 euros for a double room for individual use in the case of elderly people traveling alone.
In addition, an additional credit of 100 euros per person and package will be included for gastronomic, health, sports or cultural experiences as well as parking and transfer services.
Click here for more information (Castellano / Valenciano).
