Pensioner holidays

THE Imserso trips for pensioners will soon go on sale again in Spain, some with slightly higher prices but with more choices available than in previous seasons.

There are only a few months left until the application period for the Imserso 2023/2024 trips opens.

Pensioners who opt for one of the 886,269 places on offer (70,000 more than this year) will be able to choose from a wider range of travel options than before.

Prices range from €124 to visit the Spanish provincial capitals for four days, to €436 to travel to the Canary Islands for 10 days.

These prices will be 7.5 per cent more expensive in order to maintain the quality of the programme.

The most expensive option for the mainland coastal areas of Andalu ­ cia, Catalonia, Murcia and Valencia, with transport included, will be the 10 day stay (nine nights) for €290.06.

One per cent of trips are reserved for people with economic resources equal to or less than the amount of non ­ contributory retirement or disability pensions from Social Security.

In these cases, the Imserso will assume 50 per cent of the cost of the place, while in all other cases, the Imserso contributes 22.5 per cent and the users contribute ular traffic resumed at the border crossing.

According to official data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, 220 immigrants have entered Ceuta and Melilla illegally so far this year, a significant decrease from the 1,122 entries recorded during the same period last year. Of those 220 entries, 199 were recorded in Ceuta.

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande­Marlaska, said that migration policy is a key focus for his department which has sought to build agreements with partners including Morocco. Spain’s relationship with Morocco has reached several flashpoints during Marlaska’s tenure, but appears to be on the mend.

Inflation up

INFLATION in Las Canaria is the highest in Spain, reaching a record high of 4.6 per cent on Friday, April 14.

Food and non­alcoholic drinks are thought to be the major culprits driving the rise, with their prices going up by a staggering 17.4 per cent yearon­year, well above the national average. Spiralling inflation is causing issues for residents in Las Canarias.

the remaining 77.5 per cent.

Imserso has appointed several travel agents to promote the holidays and to accept bookings.

Prices within the hospitality industry have also increased by 9.4 per cent, while leisure and culture costs have increased by 5.7 per cent. Alcohol and tobacco prices have also gone up by 4 per cent. It’s a grim picture for the locals, who have seen the cost of living rise faster than their wages can keep up with.

However, it’s not all bad news! Housing and transport costs have dropped by a staggering 15.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively. The textile and shoe industry has also seen a decrease in costs of 1.3 per cent, while the cost of medicine has fallen by 1.8 per cent.