- Hotel withdrawals from Imserso programme threaten 15,000 jobs and €150m revenue in Valencia
- Frozen reimbursement rates and inflation make subsidised rates financially unviable
- Major destinations including Benidorm face severe hotel pullbacks
- State faces estimated €15m drop in VAT returns from affected region
- Hoteliers seeking government rate adjustments to salvage off-peak scheme
Fewer hotels participating in Spain’s subsidised Imserso senior tourism programme threaten up to 15,000 jobs and a €150 million shortfall in the Valencia Community alone. Regional hotel associations, including Hosbec, have cited frozen reimbursement rates and surging operational costs that make low-season guest rates financially unviable. The reduced allocation of places for the senior travel scheme has hit regional employment and occupancy in the low season.
The financial strain has led to severe pullbacks or total hotel withdrawals from the scheme in major destinations including Benidorm. Subsidised rates have fallen below actual operating costs amid high inflation, making participation in the programme unsustainable for many properties. The state and local economies face steep revenue cuts, including an estimated €15 million drop in VAT returns from the affected region.
The programme remains a key support for many coastal and inland properties outside peak summer months, with the reduced availability threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers across the Comunidad Valenciana. Hoteliers have called for government adjustments to reimbursement rates and programme structure to salvage the off-peak scheme. The Imserso programme has historically served as a vital pillar of Spain’s social tourism model, providing subsidised holidays for senior citizens while supporting the hospitality sector during traditionally quiet periods.
