The popular Imserso holiday programme for Spanish pensioners is preparing for its new season, with one major change: for the first time, holidaymakers will be allowed to bring their pets on certain trips.
Imserso is a government-run scheme offering subsidised holidays to Spanish pensioners, which helps them enjoy affordable trips across the country, including to the Canary and Balearic Islands, while supporting the tourism sector during the quieter months of the year.
However, they will now allow pensioners to take their pets with them as part of a series of changes for the upcoming season.
Under the new rules, a small number of places will be reserved for travellers who wish to bring pets. Only small domestic animals weighing up to 10kg, including their carrier, will be allowed. If the pet-friendly spaces aren’t fully booked after two months, those places will be released for general sale.
Another key change is the introduction of nearly 7,500 special places available for just €50, aimed at pensioners with the lowest incomes, such as those receiving non-contributory retirement or disability benefits.
The Imserso programme offers nearly 880,000 places each season, covering a range of coastal destinations on the mainland, islands and selected trips in Europe. Packages typically include hotel accommodation, meals, transport and leisure activities.
The companies running the programme will again include Ávoris, managing mainland and European destinations, and Mundiplan, which oversees trips to the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Hotels participating in the programme must meet quality standards, offering at least three-star accommodation and suitable leisure activities for older travellers.
