The government of the Balearic Islands, which covers tourist hotspots including Ibiza and Majorca, has announced that all tourists who require repatriation due to being infected by COVID-19 on holiday will be covered by a free insurance scheme.
The four largest Balearic Islands Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera are normally top holiday destinations for Brits, Germans and other European tourists but due to COVID-19 restriction tourism on the islands has dried up.
The local government hopes that the free insurance scheme, which has been attached to the ‘Safety Pack’ tourism promotion plan being rolled out by the government, will encourage tourists to return to the islands.
Local news outlet La Vanguardia reports that the Tourism Strategy Agency of the Balearic Islands (AIETIB) will be the body covering the cost of the insurance scheme.
Francina Armengol, President of the Balearic Government, explained that AIETIB will be opening up a call centre, operating in English, German and Spanish where people will be able to get access to information regarding the insurance scheme.
Local media reports that the scheme will also cover costs incurred from death caused by COVID-19.
The ‘Safety Pack’ has designated ‘bridge hotels’ on all islands where tourists who test positive for COVID-19 will be quarantined.
The pack also includes protocols to protect workers in the tourism sector from COVID-19 with additional testing and safety regulations.
Tourism is the most important economic sector on the islands and is the single biggest employer.
Armengol is currently in Berlin promoting the ‘Safety Pack’ by presenting it to top travel agencies and meeting with counterparts in the German government in an attempt to reassure holidaymakers that the islands are a safe destination.
More details regarding the scheme are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.
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Story By: Peter Barker, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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