Slovenia passes stimulus package targeted at hospitality sector

The Slovenian parliament has passed another stimulus law designed to help businesses cope with the pandemic, with a €243 million package targeted at hospitality, tourism and the events industry.

The centrepiece of the package are vouchers for all Slovenian residents that they can spend on accommodation, restaurants, in book shops and theatres, for concerts or sports activities.

Adults will receive vouchers worth €100 and those under 18 €50. The total value of the vouchers is €192 million. Last year, vouchers worth €200 each for adults and €50 for minors were introduced for accommodation in order to prop up the tourism sector and they were seen as a resounding success, even though only about 40% of their value has so far been redeemed.

Both the old and the new vouchers can be redeemed until the end of the year. The new emergency bill also brings an extension of the short-time work scheme for all sectors at least until the end of September.

According to Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, the situation in the economy, in general, is very good and businesses are expected to recover quickly. But some sectors have been particularly affected.

The opposition warned that the measures came too late and were insufficient. Slovenia has so far spent more than 10 of GDP on pandemic stimulus measures.