Consell supports Imserso and will contribute 6 euros per night to qualifying hotels
Today in Vall d’Ebo, Alicante, Consell approved a decree-law to back hotels and tourism companies in the Valencian Community through extraordinary measures tied to Imserso Tourism Programs. The initiative aims to offset costs faced by participants in the Imserso program, with Generalitat agreeing to subsidize six euros for each overnight stay in hotels that fulfill program requirements. The announcement, made by Consell president Ximo Puig, signals a shift in the regional stance and temporarily eases tensions with the central government and, specifically, with authorities setting a daily rate of 22 euros per full-board visitor. Some hotel employers saw this central-price figure as unacceptable, with concerns it could push participants to withdraw from the program.
The rationale behind the measure centers on stabilizing the Imserso Tourism Programs amid the economic pressures triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ongoing inflation, and the broader crisis affecting demand in key markets such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The plan envisions direct aid administered by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana to supplement the room rates for stays within the program, as outlined at the session’s close.
In essence, the Generalitat intends to preserve the Imserso Tourism framework in the Valencian Community. The move supports local employment and keeps economic activity active in certain tourist zones while enabling hotels to operate through the winter. It also emphasizes the social value of active aging, highlighting potential benefits for the elderly and related sectors through sustained tourism activity.
The beneficiaries are hotels registered in the Valencia Community Tourism Registry that participated in and requested Imserso Tourism Programs during the period from February 1 to December 31, 2022. The regulatory framework and the grant process will be established by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana through direct concession grants. The Consell will approve the overall funding envelope and determine the individual grant amounts. Earlier statements suggested an allocation of a five million euro economic package to support these efforts.
The Valencia Community accounts for a meaningful share of Imserso capacity, with 20 percent of the available hotel beds in the program located within the region. Benidorm alone represents a large portion of the national total for Imserso placements, underscoring the region’s role in welcoming seasonal travelers. Participating destinations include Benidorm, l’Alfàs del Pi, Calp, Dénia, Jávea, Guardamar del Segura, Torrevieja, Gandia, Benicasim, Oropesa del Mar, Peñíscola, and Vinaròs.