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The initiative to launch bonds to encourage domestic consumption was already included in the Reactivation Plan proposed by the Galician tourism sector

The Solidarity Bond will start to work in the middle of next month, once the beneficiaries have been awarded and the tourist packages and offers that adhere to the initiative have been compiled

Representatives of the Galician tourist sector, led by the president of the Galician Tourism Cluster, Cesáreo Pardal, held a meeting this morning with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the aim of informing the public administration of the suitability of implementing measures that will enable the tourist sector to be reactivated immediately, such as direct subsidies. Thus, Cesáreo Pardal, valued positively the implementation of actions such as the Solidarity Bond, since they allow to stimulate the demand in the sector immediately.

“From the sector, we consider it an essential measure insofar as it allows us to favour internal consumption. Our intention is to be able to return to normal as soon as possible so that our companies and workers can go back to work,” explained the President of the CTG, Cesáreo Pardal, after the meeting with the representatives of the Regional Ministry, which was also attended by representatives of hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. In this sense, Pardal recalled that the measure had been demanded by the whole sector as a tool for reactivation and as such had been included in the Reactivation Plan presented by the Xunta and developed in cooperation with the Galician tourism sector.

It should also be noted that the Solidarity Bond that is now being implemented follows the trail of similar initiatives in other Autonomous Communities and other countries with the aim of encouraging domestic consumption and encourage national tourism, as have already done territories such as Valencia, Malaga or countries like Malta or Italy.

Support from companies
Galician tourist companies that wish to join the Solidarity Bond initiative must apply for membership of the programme using a form provided by the Xunta. They will also be able to receive advice from the Xunta and the Galician Tourism Cluster on any doubts they may have regarding the operation. Similarly, beneficiaries will have a support telephone number where they will be provided with information on the initiative and help in the event of loss or theft.

The voucher, worth 5 million euros, will benefit 20,000 people through discounts worth 250 euros on tourist products such as holiday packages or hotel stays that will be charged to the beneficiary’s card.

Pardal recalled that this measure is completed with the discounts that the sector itself makes on products contracted, of at least 15%, which are thus added to the amount contributed by the Xunta de Galicia. The final objective is to mobilise part of Galician society to enjoy a holiday this summer, injecting immediate liquidity into a sector that has been badly affected by the COVID19 crisis and which is living with anxiety about the progress of a high season marked by uncertainty and slow progress towards a new normality.