Over 1 million holiday vouchers were issued on paper and electronically between January and April 2018, with a value of EUR 12.5 million, a sum three times higher than the same period last year and nearly nine times higher than the first four months of 2016, according to the National Association of Travel Agencies, ANAT.
The growth was driven by the granting of holiday vouchers to public sector employees, starting last autumn, in the amount of RON 1,450 per person.
A year ago, 174,000 holiday vouchers worth 6.4 million lei (1.42 million euros) were issued. “As we can observe, there has been a significant increase in the value of holiday vouchers, and those funds will be reflected in the revenues that will contribute to supporting Romanian tourism. Granting holiday vouchers to public sector employees is a welcome measure that should be implemented long-term to boost domestic tourism. However, unfortunately, the Government decided to grant these vouchers to civil servants only until December 1, 2018,” says Nicolae Demetriade, president of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT).
Holiday vouchers were introduced to the Romanian market in 2009, but their issuance was stopped in the public sector after one year due to the economic crisis, and since then, it has been restricted year after year by normative acts.
The law was promoted to protect the health of employees and provides for reduced taxes for employers who offer these value vouchers to their employees.
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the value of the holiday vouchers issued in the first four months of 2018?
The total value of the over 1 million vouchers issued between January and April 2018 was EUR 12.5 million.
Who receives holiday vouchers in Romania?
Both public and private sector employees are eligible, with public sector workers receiving RON 1,450 during that period.
What are the benefits for employers who offer these vouchers?
Employers benefit from reduced taxes and contribute to maintaining the health and work capacity of their employees.