The Alliance for Tourism (APT), which brings together 24 employer associations from the hospitality industry, is requesting the Government to grant holiday vouchers starting January 1, 2022, for a period of 5 years, for both public sector and private sector employees, according to a press release issued by the association.
“The 24 organizations covering the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry, united under the name Alliance for Tourism (APT), as well as other trade union and employer organizations representing all sectors of the national economy, support the major importance of reintroducing holiday vouchers starting in 2022. It is essential that this decision be legislated by the end of this year. APT, alongside other trade union and employer organizations, welcomes the public announcement regarding the reintroduction of holiday vouchers for all categories of employees starting in 2022 and proposes an improved formula to the government. (…) For booking flexibility and much greater predictability for both employees and the tourism industry, the Alliance for Tourism recommends legislating the granting of holiday vouchers for a longer period of at least 5 years,” the statement specifies.
Vouchers issued during 2019–2020, for which the validity period was extended until the end of this year, have already been consumed; therefore, a new issuance of vouchers is needed, and their reintroduction should be legislated by December 31, 2021, APT requests.
Currently, the Alliance for Tourism has finalized a project that aims to refresh the concept of holiday vouchers, shifting the focus toward private sector employees. APT’s objective is that, in addition to public sector employees, 2 million private sector employees benefit from this facility. Furthermore, the Polish model of supporting children could be used, with at least 25% of the amount received by an adult also being allocated to those under 18. APT suggests a double state-employer contribution, which could contribute equal amounts for the granting of holiday vouchers. A smaller amount of aid is preferable (not necessarily 6 minimum wages), but granted to more employees, the statement notes.
On the other hand, in the absence of issuing holiday vouchers for next year and in the context of introducing the digital certificate, there will be an exodus of tourists toward destinations outside Romania, APT estimates.
The Alliance for Tourism argues that holiday vouchers have essentially contributed to improving the fiscalization of the tourism sector by accelerating the increase in the number of classified tourist structures, guaranteeing the collection of taxes and duties for the public budget.
“In just 11 years, specifically between 2010 and 2021, these led to a 326% increase in the number of classified tourism units as well as a doubling of accommodation spots. More precisely, in October 2010, according to the relevant ministry, there were 5,458 accommodation units totaling 255,623 spots, and in November 2021, the figure reached 17,800 accommodation units, respectively 523,177 spots. The investments stimulated by the holiday voucher project meant both the construction of new accommodation units and the modernization of some that had remained in an inadequate state for decades, the emergence of 4- and 5-star health centers in spa resorts, as well as the construction of swimming pools, spa centers, modern restaurants, and other facilities oriented toward sustainable tourism and digitalized management,” according to the APT statement.
At the same time, issuing vouchers for the year 2022 also represents support provided to the hospitality industry in the context of the COVID pandemic, this sector being the most severely affected by the pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alliance for Tourism (APT) requesting from the Government?APT is requesting the legislation of holiday vouchers for a minimum period of 5 years, starting January 1, 2022, to ensure long-term predictability for the industry.
Who would benefit from these holiday vouchers according to the proposal?The proposal aims to include both public sector employees and approximately 2 million employees from the private sector, potentially utilizing a state-employer co-contribution model.
What has been the historical impact of holiday vouchers on the Romanian tourism sector?Between 2010 and 2021, vouchers contributed to a 326% increase in the number of classified tourist units and a doubling of available accommodation capacity, while stimulating modernization and sustainable investments.