www.2mobility.

eu
The reason why the project E-Bridge to mobility was
created came mainly from observing the EU labour
market and analysis of the needs of Eastern Europe
emigrants (especially those from Bulgaria, Poland,
Romania and Slovakia). They are moving from one EU
country to another (especially to England, Germany,
Spain) for educational, financial or social reasons.

Bulletin 8 This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication reflects the

May/June 2010 views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.

Promotion of Spain for seniors. An autumn-winter downtime

in tourist industry has become
Have you got the autumn blues? Go on holidays an occasion for seniors from
to Spain! The Spanish government is encouraging the east, majority of whom
cannot afford even a weekly
the Europeans, mainly from the east, and pays extra stay on the Iberian Peninsula.
for that. Is that possible? Does Spain loose anything
on that? On the contrary, the
For a year now the programme „Europe Senior Tourism”, 855 euro respectively. This inventor and his economy
which is meant to attract senior tourists, mainly from East- way the EU-funded project benefits from the programme
ern Europe during the autumn-winter season, is running supports the idea of mobil- directed at the European sen-
in Spain. Among others the programme is directed to the ity in the autumn of life and iors. Last year the increase in
citizens of Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Would at the same time fills in the sales in the tourist industry
you like to visit the southern coast of Spain on a lower cost? winter tourist gap. was 5.5% more than in pre-
You can if you are from 55 to 75 years old. vious years during the same
season. Moreover, apart
The programme allows for from spending some time
taking one accompanying on holidays, the visitors will
person for holidays in Spain. also spend some euro, not
This person will also receive to mention the fact that they
a reimbursement from the will become a living and most
government and the EU. The efficient advertisement of
companion does not have to a country, which they will
fit in the age limit, so it is pos- probably return to and they
sible to take along a partner, will encourage their families
a friend or even a grandchild. and friends to come.
The programme lasts from
October to April inclusive. The idea of active ageing sup-
Holidays in Spain can last ports the mobility of Europe-
from a week to a month. The ans, especially from the east.
price of a weekly stay, e.g. Without the opportunity to
from Poland is 343 euro. The take part in the „European
Spanish government pays Senior Tourism” programme
extra 150 euro to each visi- they would probably never
tor. The price includes a two- risk leaving their homeland,
meal board. 8-, 15-, 22- or 29- where they feel safe. Spain
day long stays are available. not only pays extra for the
The prices are fixed and equal holidays, it also assures com-
in all hotels and resorts and plex assistance for all the in-
they are 343, 524, 700 and vited tourists.
 The price includes:
i a two-way flight
i transfers from / to: the airport – the hotel – the airport
i accommodation in a 4* hotel (7 nights)
i full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner )
i beverages to the meals (wine and water)
i Signal KL, NNW, and luggage insurance
i 2 half-day trips
i entertaining programme at the hotel
i petrol, airport and reservation charges
i assistance of a resident speaking the native language
(employed by the Spanish organizer)
Where can you go?
Costa del Sol i Costa de la Luz i Almería and Granada (Andalusia) i Majorca i
Minorca i Ibiza i Benidorm i Gandia and Peńiscola
What do the seniors from Poland, who took part in the
programme say?
Edward (59)
– I went to Spain with my wife. We used the offer for
people aged over 50. It’s long ago since we had such
a great time. We attended a course of tango and waltz,
walked on the beach with funny sticks, went on different
trips and first of all we had a good time with younger and
older people. I can fully recommend such holidays.
Hanna (62)
– Spain is a beautiful country with open people who
suffered because of a crisis and therefore they became even
more open for tourism. I was charmed by Spain. I advice
all the seniors to check and compare the programmes.
Personally I recommend unforgettable tango classes.
It reminds me of my youth…
Cited after: Byc Seniorem.pl
The „E-bridge” partners:
In each eligible country a few tourist agencies have been chosen
to deal with the Spanish programme „Europe Senior Tourism”. All
you need to do is to enter a web page
http://www.europeseniortourism.eu/
and find your country in a tag „book”. You do not have to speak
Spanish to make a reservation. The travel agency from your coun-
try will deal with all the formalities.
Apart from sightseeing and resting on the beach the trip includes
some attractions for senior-travellers. On of the main objectives
of the project is elicitation of matured travellers, who spend the
whole stay with their contemporaries and companions. Among
others the programme includes: IT workshops, memory exercis-
ing, laughter therapy, manual work, dance classes and many sport
classes like gymnastics or tai-chi.
One of the most important questions for European senior
travellers is the fact that the price of trips offered within the
„European Senior Tourism” programme includes more than
transportation, accommodation in a high-standard hotel, in-
surance and full board. The most important thing is that the
tourists spend time with people of their age assisted by a na-
tive resident. This makes them feel safe and free in a friendly
surrounding. Moreover, they do the sightseeing and actively
spend time together getting to know the Spanish culture and
often for the first time in their lives they have contact with
a foreign language in its natural environment.
The Spanish idea of senior tourism not only supported the
tourist sector, sleeping in the winter. First of all it helped many
European pensioners to combat the fear of travelling and
breaking linguistic and cultural barriers. Thanks to the pro-
gramme „European Senior Tourism” the 55+ generation from
the east has a chance to spend the autumn of their lives in an
interesting way.
Eligible countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, Greece, Netherlands,
Hungary, Ireland, Portugal,
Poland, Italy, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia