The cabinet approved a fresh travel contract on Tuesday, setting the stage for the upcoming 2023/2024 season. The agreement increases available spots by 70,000 compared with the previous edition and adds new destinations, while promising a qualitative upgrade in the overall excursion experience. The government spokesperson noted that the next contract is valued at about 300 million euros, reflecting a 14 percent rise from the prior arrangement.
In this latest tender process, the government emphasizes raising the quality and diversity of travel offerings. Officials state that customer choice should lie at the heart of the new contracts and that senior citizen organizations will be consulted throughout the process.
The expanded capacity will be directed primarily toward the so‑called escape tourism model, giving travelers options across all state capitals and ten newly created cultural venues in the provinces of Albacete, Almería, Ávila, Cáceres, Castellón, Girona, Lleida, Tenerife and other areas where senior demand has grown. More than 1,000 travel spots are earmarked for cultural themes, spanning literature, music, theatre and gastronomy. In addition, nineteen new nature routes will be available, including the Sierra Nevada, the Médulas Natural Park, Hoces de Daimiel Natural Park, Ribeira Sacra and Leitzarán Valley.
The plan also addresses practical needs of the elderly travelers, such as higher accommodation capacity and single-room options. Improvements include streamlined trip processing and electronic registration so guests can check into accommodations by presenting their identity documents.
Following the Council of Ministers’ approval, the new contract will be published soon on the Public Sector Contract Platform, and the bidding window for participating companies will open in the days ahead.
As part of the process, government sources indicate that the aim is to deliver more inclusive, high‑quality experiences for older travelers while expanding accessibility to a broader set of destinations and cultural activities. The plan reflects ongoing efforts to modernize public travel programs and align them with evolving preferences among seniors, with an emphasis on convenience, cultural enrichment, and sustainable tourism options for the coming season [Attribution: Government statement].