Filenews 4 November 2021
An extension for the Domestic Tourism Support Plan has been announced by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and will continue until the end of March 2022, offering the opportunity to vaccinated compatriots for subsidized holidays and overnight stays, in the context of strengthening domestic tourism and the hotel industry, which continues to be affected due to the pandemic.
Specifically, with the aim of continuing to strengthen domestic tourism for the benefit of the public, entrepreneurs and employees in the tourism industry, the Council of Ministers decided to extend the "Domestic Tourism Support Plan" for the period from December1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Based on the Decision, hotels and tourist accommodation (Organized Apartments, Tourist Villages, Agrotourism Accommodation) and Tourist Offices can participate in the Scheme, which can offer a maximum price of €70 (including VAT) for a double room, with breakfast, per day, with a minimum stay of two nights. The Decision also provides for the coverage of 25% of the cost of accommodation by the Deputy Ministry.
It is noted that beneficiaries of the Scheme for the period from 1st December 2021 until the 31st
March are all permanent residents on the island over 16 years of age who:
They have been vaccinated with both doses (including the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) or
They have recovered from the virus up to 180 days before their stay at the accommodation.
People between the ages of 12 and 15 should have been vaccinated with both doses (including the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) or have a negative 72-hour rapid test. For people under the age of 12 there is no restriction.
Businesses wishing to participate in the above Scheme may submit a relevant declaration of participation to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. More details about the Scheme, as well as a registration form, can be secured from the corporate website of the Deputy Ministry of www.tourism.gov.cy (column announcements).
The deadline for submitting a registration for the Scheme is Monday, November 22, 2021 at 13.00. It is emphasized that registrations submitted late will not be accepted.
CRITERIA FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
The project will involve:
Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Organized Apartments, Tourist Villages, Agrotourism Accommodation) and Tourist Offices, which may offer:
Maximum price €70, incl. VAT for a double room, with breakfast per day for the period from 1 December 2021 until 31 March 2022.
A list of hotels and tourist accommodations will be prepared which will participate. The list to be drawn up will include the declared prices per accommodation as well as clarifications regarding the charge for:
Children 0-2 years.
Children 3-12 years old staying in the same room as parents.
People over 13 years of age staying in the same room.
BENEFICIARIES
Beneficiaries of the Scheme must be all permanent residents of the island, who:
(j)16 years and over: Have been vaccinated with both doses (including vaccine
Johnson &Johnson) or Have recovered from the virus up to 180 days before their stay in the
accommodation.
(ii) 12 to 15 years of age: They have been vaccinated with both doses (including the vaccine Johnson & Johnson) or have a negative rapid test of 72 hours.
(iii) Under 12 years of age: There is no restriction.
Minimum stay 2 nights per room.
CHOICE OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
Beneficiaries will be able to choose the tourist accommodation of their choice from the relevant list which will be drawn up by the Deputy Ministry. Reservations in tourist accommodation will be made by the beneficiaries themselves, from the date of commencement of the Scheme.
Businesses must inform the Deputy Ministry on a weekly basis with a relevant form for the planned arrivals, for the purposes of planning, control and calculation by the Deputy Ministry of the estimated expenditure.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism will not be involved in room reservation issues. Reservations will be made by the beneficiaries themselves or the tour operators who represent them.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism will not be involved in any issues of advance payment for accommodation reservations. Beneficiaries will be obliged upon arrival at the tourist accommodation to provide the entrepreneur with a photocopy of the identity card, passport and/or other document proving the permanent address of residence of the beneficiary. Photocopies of identity documents will be kept in the accommodation's record for each check.
PAYMENT SETTLEMENT
The amount of the subsidy to be paid by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will correspond to 25% of the nightly price declared by the accommodation / per room, as stated during the process of submitting an application for participation in the program for all nights, with a minimum stay of 2 nights per room.
The participating businesses will receive from the beneficiary 75% of the declared price from each tourist accommodation. The remaining amount (25%) will be submitted to the Deputy Ministry for its repayment along with the special form that will be made available by the Deputy Ministry (beneficiary's declaration), showing the signature, the details of the beneficiary and the permanent residence address. Invoices should be sent to the Deputy Ministry for payment within 10 days from the date of the stay.
