The Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (Imserso), which is part of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, has begun sending almost three million letters to retirees throughout Spain to confirm their accreditation and allow them to reserve their Travels of the tourist program for the 2024-2025 season. With a rate of 200,000 letters per day, this approach aims to encourage participation in trips designed to combat loneliness and improving the health of older peopleImserso CEO Mayte Sancho highlighted the importance of these trips in creating social networks and the scientific evidence that shows that greater social activity contributes to a better quality of life.
Furthermore, 41.7% of Elderly people living alone in Spain Coping with unwanted loneliness, especially for older women, makes these programs essential. Travel, which is very popular with retirees, also benefits the tourism sector by helping to reduce seasonality and generate jobs. This season, a total of 886,269 places will be offered, divided between tourism peninsular coast, island coast and getaways. Reservations will begin on September 23 in several autonomous communities and on September 25 they will open to the rest. In recent years, this initiative has become a very important tool to improve the quality of life of the elderly and support the tourism industry.
Imserso Travels
On August 28, the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (Imserso) began sending letters to retirees across Spain to confirm their registration in the Tourist program for the 2024-2025 seasonThis program offers the same places as the previous year: 443,887 for peninsular coastal tourism, 230,039 for island coastline and 212,343 for getaway tourism.
For the peninsular coastal areaIt is estimated that nine-night stays will cost around €290.07, while seven-night stays will cost €228.93. In the coastal area of the island, stays in the Balearic Islands will cost around €331.49 for nine nights and €267.63 for seven nights, while in the Canary Islands the prices will be €435.95 and €355.30 respectively.
For him getaway tourismFive-night cultural tours will cost around €293.16, nature destinations €286.82 for four nights and stays in provincial capitals €124.68 for three nights. Prices include accommodation, full board, transport and group insurance, except for trips to provincial capitals and coastal destinations which include additional services.
Marketing dates
Imserso announced that the sale of tickets for the 2024-2025 tourist program will begin on September 23Places will be allocated based on a points system that prioritizes certain candidates.
Between September 23 and 24Trips can be booked in Andalusia, Aragon, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Valencian Community, Extremadura, Madrid, Melilla and Murcia. From September 25 to 26, reservations will be open for residents of Asturias, Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha, Ceuta, Galicia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, La Rioja and the Basque Country.
Points system
Imserso applies a point system to prioritize allocation of places in your tourist programby distinguishing between preferred and non-preferred borrowers. Preferred borrowers, who score higher on a range of criteria, have the advantage of choosing their destinations ahead of non-preferred destinations. This assessment is based on several key factors.
THE age This is one of the most influential criteria. One point is awarded for each year completed up to a maximum of 20 points for those over 78. In the case of joint applications, the arithmetic mean of the candidates’ ages is calculated. It degree of disability It also impacts the score, awarding 10 points to those who have a score equal to or higher than 33%.
The points system also takes into account the economic situation of the applicant. Income is divided into several brackets, from a non-contributory pension which adds 50 points, to pensions above 2,100 euros which do not give points. Income is weighted according to the number of candidates in a joint application, adjusting the score according to the established scale.
THE participation in previous programs This is also a relevant criterion. Points are awarded to those who have not enjoyed the show in recent seasons, with a maximum score of 225 points. This variable rewards those who have been waiting list patients and favors those who have not traveled in previous years, while those who have traveled in previous seasons receive fewer points.
Finally, the requests for large familiesawarding up to 10 additional points, depending on the type of large family. In the event of a tie, priority is given based on the candidate’s date of birth. This complex formula ensures that travel is distributed fairly, favoring those who need it most and who are most in need.
