Free holidays in the mountains for low-income pensioners

Low-income pensioners can apply for free three-night stays in mountain resorts as of next week, the labour ministry announced on Thursday.

The state-subsidised holiday scheme for low-income pensioners concerns hotels in mountain resorts and in Pyrgos Tyllirias during the June-July and September-October periods this year, or until the relevant budget is exhausted, the ministry said, citing the relevant cabinet decision.

The state will fully subsidise full board four-day visits (three nights) from Friday to Monday and Tuesday to Friday.

Beneficiaries of the scheme are permanent residents of the island, who are pensioners on low income who are beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income, pensioners with an annual income of up to €15,500 for singles and, pensioners with an annual income of up to €20,000 for families and their dependants.

It was estimated the cost of implementing the plan amounts to €800 000 for approximately 5,200 persons.

Those eligible for the scheme can obtain the declaration form for participation in the scheme from all Citizen Service Centres, Citizen Centres (KE.PO) of the post offices and from the Labour Ministry website at www.mlsi.gov.cy.

A list of participating hotels and information in relation to the scheme is available together with the form.

Declarations may be submitted from Monday to the following e-mail address: [email protected] or by fax to 24841001 or at the offices of ORTHODOXOU TRAVEL travel agency at United Nations No. 44, 6042, Larnaca.