Cristina Hodgson
AS of January 1, Andalucia will pay for an insurance to cover international tourists’ COVID-19 related costs.
The Vice-President and Minister of Tourism, Juan Marin, says that tourists who are infected in Andalucia will be ‘guaranteed’ the costs of confinement, hospital stay or return to their country.
The Junta has promised to take out an insurance policy to cover the expenses of international tourists who come to the region from the start of 2021 and catch coronavirus whilst in Andalucia.
The Minister indicated that a public tender will be opened so that insurance agencies can submit their bids.
According to Luis Callejon, president of the Costa del Sol Hotel Business Association (AEHCOS), hotels in Malaga have been offering this insurance free of charge since May and it includes 24 hour telematic assistance, transfer to hospitals and even repatriation to the clients’ home-countries.
“We have already been using this insurance since May and don’t understand why the Junta has no put this policy in place earlier,” he said.
Callejón considers that the priority now is to negotiate safe air corridors.
“Why are we going to give anyone insurance if they’re not going to be able to come here? First we have to make sure that international tourists can travel to Malaga,” he added.
The announcement of the upcoming insurance policy was given at a press conference which also informed of a tourist voucher for Andalucian registered residents.
The holiday voucher is for a 25% discount for a trip made within the region between October 1 and May 31.
To qualify for this bonus – which is increased to 50% for those families whose income does not exceed €20,000 per year – the reservation must be made in a travel agency that has the Andalucia Safety seal and in a hotel that also has this certificate.
